Incentives and schemes for employers

Outlook Employment can assist eligible employers to access a range of financial supports and incentives:

The wage subsidy scheme

The wage subsidy scheme enables disability employment services to offer financial assistance to employers, who employ Outlook Employment participants. The aim is to encourage employers to provide sustainable employment to workers with disabilities. An employer may be eligible for up to $1,500 (excluding GST) based on the following criteria:

Employment must be for at least eight hours per week for at least 13 weeks and have a reasonable expectation of continuing more than 13 weeks.
Employment must be under open employment conditions

Employer must guarantee the worker a weekly award based wage (i.e. no commission based or subcontract positions)

The restart wage subsidy scheme

The restart wage subsidy scheme is a financial incentive of up to $10,000 (GST inclusive) that is available to qualifying businesses that employ eligible job seekers who are 50 years of age or over. Payments are available over six months and you can negotiate how often you receive them. You may also be able to receive a kickstart payment of up to 40 per cent of the total wage subsidy after four weeks of a job starting.

The job can be full time or part time and needs to be:

For an average of 20 hours per week over the six months of the agreement
Ongoing
Work that complies with employment standards for the position (for example, is suitable work and pays as a minimum the national award wage).

Apprenticeships and traineeships are also eligible for Restart Wage Subsidies and must:

Have a reasonable expectation of exceeding 26 weeks
Be under open employment conditions
Guarantee the worker a weekly award based wage (i.e. no commissions-based or subcontract positions)

The supported wage system

The aims to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Some people are unable to find or keep a job at full wage rates, due to the effect of their disability on their workplace productivity. This process allows employers to pay a productivity-based wage that matches an independently assessed productivity rate. To support these workers, the Australian Government contracts a panel of independent SWS assessors, to conduct workplace productivity assessments, for employers who wish to employ people with disabilities.

The workplace modifications scheme

The reimburses employers for the costs involved in modifying the workplace, or purchasing special equipment for eligible employees with disabilities.

Wage assist

Through Outlook Employment can assist customers who are at risk of losing their employment in the immediate future as a result of their illness, injury or disability. These services are intended to help participants maintain their current employment. participants will receive face-to-face support, as well as assistance such as:

Advice about job redesign
Workplace assessments
Workplace modifications
Specialised equipment to help you perform the requirements of the job

DAAWS – Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support Program

DAAWS is a program that assists employers of eligible apprentices with a disability. Payments are made to employers who:

Employ an eligible Australian apprentice with a disability who finds it difficult to get an approved apprenticeship because of his or her disability, and
Currently employ an Australian apprentice who has acquired a disability during his or her apprenticeship and needs help as a result

For more information about incentives and schemes, call the DHS service centre on 132 717.

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