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 Mackay 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 Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Back to Work program had made a big difference.
"Since 2016 nearly $19 million has helped 1,752 people get jobs in 773 businesses in the Mackay region," Ms Gilbert said.
"Back to Work will give businesses the confidence to take a chance on the new staff they need to grow, and I am so pleased the Palaszczuk Government is making this $140 million investment.
"This program helps all Queenslanders, but especially our young people here in Mackay looking for their first job.
"There'll 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 person or someone with disability, and there'll be a $20,000 Youth Boost payment for eligible businesses to employ an eligible Queenslander aged between 15- 25.
"The Palaszczuk Government is unashamedly focussed on getting our young people in the regions into jobs.
"These payments will create genuine, long-term employment outcomes."
Ms Gilbert said one of the local businesses benefitting from Back to Work is Mackay Fencing, which has hired two staff members through the program since 2017.
"Ryan has just completed 12 months with Mackay Fencing thanks to Back to Work, and Gary started with the company in 2017 and is still with them today," Ms Gilbert said.
Mackay Fencing Manager Coralyn said she always believed in giving people a chance and thanks to Back to Work the business could take the extra time to adjust Gary's workload to suit his abilities.
"Back to Work is one of the best things to happen. We had no qualms to hire someone with a disability," Coralyn said.
"Both these employees have proven themselves as capable workers and the Back to Work support funding enables us to take the time to ensure it was a rewarding process for us all."
Another Mackay business to benefit from Back to Work is Bohemian Elyse Homewares, which hired two employees under the program to help build up the business.
Owner Tori Adams said the Back to Work support allowed her to concentrate on the success of the business by reducing some of the financial burden.
"I was able to use the funding to help pay the wages and keep staff on when the business was growing and the cash flow was tight. It would have been really difficult without it," Tori said.
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."
"Through the revitalised Back to Work program we're doing things differently and trying new approaches to support these key cohorts to ensure they take advantage of the opportunities presented to them."
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.
