Hire an older worker and reap the benefits

Mature-age job-seekers often face barriers when re-entering the workforce, so I'd like to remind business operators that the Liberal National Government's Restart programme offers a great incentive to give these people a go.Eligible businesses can access up to $10,000 when they hire a 50-plus job seeker and retain that person for two years. The boost is available when the mature-age job seeker has been unemployed and on income support for six months, including the age or disability support pension.As our population ages it is important to ensure that mature-aged workers are given the opportunities they deserve.Nationally the top industries hiring people under Restart are accommodation and food services, manufacturing, construction and retail.For more information on Restart, go to www.experiencepays.gov.au[box style="1 or 2"]Other employment programmesRelocation Assistance to Take Up a Job — providing financial support to job seekers who move to take up work;Job Commitment Bonus — rewarding young, previously long-term unemployed people who find and keep jobs;Work for the Dole — this will go nationwide from 1 July 2015. It is currently being trialed in 18 selected regions; andEmployment Services 2015–2020 — this new $5.1 billion employment services system, starts on 1 July. The system is more efficient and effective, and will better meet the needs of job seekers, employers and providers.[/box]