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Subsidised wages for people with disability
As an employer, wage subsidies provide a financial incentive to offer ongoing employment to people with disability.
Many people with disability simply need an opportunity in the workforce to prove their worth. Wage subsidies are paid to your organisation during the first few months of a person’s employment, provided you intend to offer the person ongoing work (generally more than 13 weeks of employment).
The main type of wage subsidy for people with disability is available through the Disability Employment Services (DES) Wage Subsidy Scheme. There is also a Restart wage subsidy for mature workers (aged 50 years or more).
The Wage Start subsidy is also available to help employers take on people who have been receiving DES support for at least 12 months and can work at least 15 hours per week; or have been offered a job with their host employer after completing a Youth PaTH Internship.
The wage subsidy application process:
Your organisation contacts a provider of Disability Employment Services (DES) to discuss a wage subsidy.
Your DES provider confirms the eligibility of your organisation, the job applicant and the work role for subsidised wages.
Your DES provider negotiates a wage subsidy with your organisation and an agreement is signed.
Your DES provider pays the wage subsidy to your organisation.
Further information about wage subsidies is available on the Wage Subsidy webpage.
Information on wage subsidies, including eligibility, speak to a Disability Employment Services provider in your area.
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