The Palaszczuk Government's revitalised $140 million Back to Work employment program that will support thousands of Queenslanders to get - and keep - jobs is now open for applications.
The program has already helped more than 1,700 people in the Bundaberg Region into work.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the refreshed program, unveiled in this year's State Budget, will provide greater access to on-the-ground support for employers and disadvantaged job seekers.
"The Palaszczuk Government put investing in skills and backing small business at the heart of our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan because we believe wherever you are in Queensland, you deserve the chance to get a good job," Minister Farmer said.
"We fund these job creating initiatives not only because they provide vital career opportunities to Queenslanders, but because they help small businesses too: over 80% of employers benefiting from Back to Work are small businesses.
"Across the state small businesses are telling me that trying to get people to fill the jobs they have is a major challenge.
"Since 2016, the Back to Work program has seen more than 25,500 people get into work because of the assistance provided to more than 12,000 employers."
Member for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, said the Back to Work program had made a big difference in the region.
"Since 2016 over $18.2 million has helped 1,730 people get jobs across 765 businesses here in Bundaberg," Mr Smith said.
"Back to Work will give businesses the confidence to take a chance on the new staff that they need to grow their business, and it is great to see that the Palaszczuk Government is making this $140 million investment.
"This program helps all Queenslanders, but especially our young people in Bundaberg looking for their first job."
Mr Smith said as Queensland enters the latest phase of economic recovery, the Back to Work program will include additional support for employers and job seekers to support long-term and sustainable employment.
"The focus will be on those job seekers who experience significant disadvantage in the labour market, who often require more intensive support to find a job," Mr Smith said.
"There will be Back to Work support payments of up to $15,000 to eligible businesses who employ an eligible job seeker including the long term unemployed, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those with disability. There will be a $20,000 Youth Boost payment for eligible businesses to employ an eligible Queenslander aged between 15- 25.
"This is all part of our focus on getting our young people in Bundaberg into jobs.
"These payments will create genuine, long-term employment outcomes."
One of the businesses to benefit from the Back to Work program is Bundaberg's Queensland Computers. Owner and director Geoff Augutis says the program has helped the business grow and provide computer services to a greater number of local clients.
"Through the Back to Work program the business engaged two employees and now under the revitalised program I plan to hire two more staff members," Geoff said.
"Back to Work has meant that rather than seeking to employ the already sought-after skilled talent pool, we have been able to hire people who are looking to train or re-train knowing that we have the financial buffer in the role to take our time and support those team members to learn and succeed."
In addition to the financial employer incentives, a new range of intensive support for both job seekers, employers and their employees will be available.
"We've made a number of changes in response to specific feedback we received after speaking with thousands of businesses at the Small Business Roadshow earlier this year," Minister Farmer said.
"We've also added more elements to the program – including a range of intensive support to ensure both job seekers and businesses have what they need to succeed.
"This wraparound support will not only help businesses recruit workers, but, vitally, to retain them too."
The support includes flexible approaches to provide employers and job seekers with the assistance and skills to successfully navigate job outcomes. The new approach will include utilising short courses, screening tools and workplace adjustments through the program's network of support officers.
The application cap on employers reset to zero on 1 July 2021. This means an eligible employer may make a further four applications under the revitalised Back to Work program.
