Back to Work Program SEQ

From 1 July 2017, the Queensland Government’s Back to Work South East Queensland program will provide support for employers who hire a long term unemployed or young unemployed jobseeker in the South East Queensland region. Employer Support and Youth Boost Payments will be available for employers who hire an eligible jobseeker between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018 (subject to the availability of funds).

What is the Back to Work Program?

The Back to Work – South East Queensland Employment Package (Back to Work SEQ) is a one-year $27.5 million initiative designed to give businesses the confidence to employ long-term unemployed and unemployed youth (15-24 year-olds) jobseekers in South East Queensland (SEQ). This program aims to facilitate unemployed jobseekers into the labour market and support them to create a strong connection to the labour force. Employer Support and Youth Boost Payments are available under these guidelines to employers who meet all the program eligibility criteria.

Where is the program delivered? Back to Work SEQ Employer Support Payments and Youth Boost Payments are offered in the following areas:

• Brisbane
• Redlands
• Logan
• Gold Coast
• Scenic Rim
• Ipswich
• Lockyer Valley
• Somerset
• Moreton Bay
• Sunshine Coast
• Noosa
• Toowoomba.

What Payments Are Available?

Each eligible employer may claim a maximum of five Back to Work SEQ applications. This cap of five applications applies to Employer Support Payments, Youth Boost Payments and combinations of both payment types. Once a total of five applications have been approved, no further applications can be accepted.

Employer Support Payment ($15,000) Jobseeker previously unemployed 52 weeks or more

Payments are made directly to the eligible employer in three parts:

• Initial payment of $4,500* after 4 weeks of continuous employment and approval of initial payment application
• Second payment of $5,250* after 26 weeks of continuous employment and approval of second payment application
• Final payment of $5,250* after 52 weeks of continuous employment and approval of the final payment application.

Youth Boost Payment ($20,000) Jobseeker previously unemployed (minimum 4 weeks) youth aged between 15-24 years

Payments are made directly to the eligible employer in three parts:

• Initial payment of $6,000* after 4 weeks of continuous employment and approval of initial payment application

• Second payment of $7,000* after 26 weeks of continuous employment and approval of second payment application

• Final payment of $7,000* after 52 weeks of continuous employment and approval of final payment application.

* Figures in table are payments for eligible full-time jobs. Eligible part-time jobs attract 75% of the full support payment.

Eligibility Requirements

All employers are eligible except for government entities (local, State and Commonwealth governments and entities including government owned corporations and statutory bodies).

Employers must have:

• A good workplace safety and industrial relations record and
• A commitment to ongoing employment of the employee.

An eligible job must be:

Mainly located in South East Queensland, and must be

• ongoing paid full-time employment (at least 35 hours per week) or
• ongoing paid part-time employment (at least 20 hours per week (or 8 hours for a person with a disability with an approved work plan)) or
• a registered and eligible Queensland full-time or part-time apprenticeship.*

* Ineligible apprenticeships include:

• A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
• An apprenticeship or traineeship for which the employer is eligible to receive Queensland’s Apprentice Trainee Rebate for payroll tax or

• An apprenticeship or traineeship which is funded through either the First Start or Work Start programs.

Eligible Employees

An eligible employee for both payments must:

• be a resident of Queensland
• not have worked for the employer in the previous 12 months and
• have commenced work with the employer on or after 1 July 2017 and has worked for at least 4 weeks.

In addition, an eligible employee for the Employer Support Payment must:

• Have been unemployed for 52 weeks or more

An eligible employee for a Youth Boost Payment must:

• Be aged between 15-24 years on the date they commenced employment with you (but can turn 25 during the period of their employment)

Read more about CSQ Funding for Construction Upskilling here or contact Major Traing today to discuss your eligibility status.