Restart: Assistance for mature age job seekers

More work for mature age job seekers

The Government’s Restart programme will provide a clear, long‑term incentive for employers not only to give mature age workers a go—but to keep them on.

Around 32,000 mature age job seekers are expected to benefit from the subsidy annually.

The Restart programme

The Government will introduce from 1 July 2014 a new wage subsidy called Restart, to encourage the employment of older Australians.

This will build on the Government’s election commitment to introduce a seniors employment incentive payment.

Mature age job seekers aged 50 or over who have been receiving income support (including the Age Pension) for a minimum of six months will be eligible.

A subsidy of up to $10,000 will be paid to employers who hire an eligible mature age job seeker on a full-time basis (30 hours or more per week).

Employers will receive:

  • $3,000 after six months of employment;
  • $3,000 after a year of employment; and
  • $2,000 after 18 months and a further $2,000 at 2 years.

Employers that hire mature age job seekers on a part‑time basis (15 to 29 hours per week) will also be eligible for a pro‑rata subsidy commensurate with the actual hours worked.

To ensure the integrity of the programme, the Government will monitor Restart and undertake an evaluation in June 2016 to assess the programme’s take‑up and outcomes.

Structure of the restart programme

restart programme

1542 total views, 1 today