The Australian Government has announced that it will provide a $1,000 bonus to businesses that hire mature-aged workers.
The Minister for Employment Participation, Early Childhood and Child Care, Kate Ellis, has announced that businesses of any size will be eligible for the $1,000 Experience +Jobs Bonus that aims to encourage more businesses to look favourably on hiring mature-aged workers.
“There are over 3.8 million mature-age Australians and many want to work, yet every week I hear stories from many mature-age jobseekers about their frustration in searching for work,” Ellis said.
“Mature-aged workers can save their employers $2000 a year on average compared to their younger counterparts – they are more reliable, loyal, and provide a better return on investment.”
Businesses can apply for one of 2,500 bonuses that will be available each financial year until 2016 at this website.
Eligible employers are those that provide ongoing work opportunities to job seekers who are 50 years or older and who are registered to work with a Job Services Australia provider.
Ellis said that this is one of a number of initiatives that the Government has introduced to encourage mature-aged workers looking for work, back in the workplace.
“We also appointed the first Age Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Ryan AO. We have also delivered more than 9,900 free career advice sessions to mature-age job seekers to help them market their skills to employers through the $11.7 million Experience+ Career Advice service since July 2010.”
