Your business may be eligible to receive up to $10,000 in wage subsidies when you hire a new employee living with a disability, injury, or health condition.

Wage Subsidies can decrease your hiring and training costs, give you greater flexibility in hiring options, and provide financial assistance to support new employees as they settle into the job.

Many employers who access wage subsidies experience a range of social and economic benefits.

Can my business get a wage subsidy?

A wage subsidy is a payment from the Australian Government that incentivises employers to hire new staff. Wage subsidies are available through employment service providers like HELP.

HELP may offer you a wage subsidy if:

• you have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• the person you hire is a new employee that you have never previously employed
• you are not an Australian, state, or territory government agency
• the person you hire meets the eligibility requirements for the wage subsidy
• the position you offer is expected to be ongoing. The role can be full-time, part-time, casual, traineeship, or apprenticeship position
• the work complies with employment standards for the position (for example, is suitable work and pays as a minimum the national award wage).

Some jobs are not eligible for a wage subsidy, including:

• work that displaces an existing employee
• commission-based, subcontracting, or self-employment positions
• work for an immediate family member
• those that are receiving other government funding for the same position.

Providers have the discretion of whether or not to offer a wage subsidy to an employer.

Find out more about becoming an inclusive employer or contact our team for support finding your new staff member.