Bonus to benefit older workers

Businesses that hire older workers can now receive a new $1,000 bonus from the federal government as part of a package of initiatives to increase mature aged participation in the workforce.

Minister for Employment and Participation, Kate Ellis, last week launched the new $1,000 Experience+ Jobs Bonus as part of the government’s $55.3 million investment to help mature age workers find and keep work, and to address negative attitudes towards mature age people.

“There are more than 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,” Ms Ellis said.

“Mature aged workers can save their employers $2,000 a year on average compared to their younger counterparts – they are more reliable, loyal, and provide a better return on investment,” she said.

Despite this, according to Ms Ellis, we know that mature aged workers are out of work twice as long as their younger counterparts with the average duration of unemployment for people aged 55 years and over standing at 70 weeks.

“We are determined to do anything we can to get more mature aged Australians into work and so I am pleased to introduce this new program of incentives designed to get businesses to put on matureaged staff,” she said.

Mature aged Australians represent a “huge boost to our economy”.

“They are loyal workers and they are hard workers but they are too often are faced with unnecessary barriers when looking for work.

“We have put in place a program of new incentives to break down those barriers and encourage businesses to see matureaged workers as valuable additions to their workforce,” she said.

About 2,500 jobs bonuses of $1,000 each are now available each financial year until 2016.

Employers, who provide ongoing employment opportunities to job seekers aged 50 years and over and who are registered to look for work with a Job Services Australia provider, can log onto the Jobs Bonus website to apply. Businesses big or small are encouraged to apply.

More information about the Experience+ Jobs Bonus and other mature age initiatives is available at the spell out Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) website, or by calling the DEEWR Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260.