Wage Connect

Wage Connect is a wage subsidy for organisations who employ job seekers considered to be very long-term unemployed. The wage subsidy will be paid directly to the employer.

Wage Connect is designed to assist job seekers considered very long-term unemployed. The subsidy equates to the average rate of Newstart Allowance a job seeker receives, and will be paid directly to the employer for at least six months, but could be available for longer (providing the overall total subsidy limit is not exceeded) based on the needs of the job seeker.

This wage subsidy is available for private sector and social enterprise organisations employing a job seeker who:

• has been on income support for at least two years
• is currently participating in Job Services Australia or Disability Employment Services programs
• has had no or minimal recent paid employment.

Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services providers will be able to use the wage subsidy as an additional tool to assist highly disadvantaged job seekers into paid employment.

Eligible Centrelink customers don’t need to apply for this wage subsidy. If you are eligible, your employment services provider will talk to you about your options.