Restart delivering for older workers and businesses

The Australian Government’s Restart programme has helped more than 2,200 older Australians find work and is helping local businesses tap into the rich source of skills and experience that older workers bring.

Restart offers employers up to $10,000 in wage subsidies to help with recruitment and related costs when they hire an eligible job seeker aged 50 or over.

Minister for Employment, Senator Eric Abetz said employers in sectors including Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Accommodation and Food Services are finding Restart especially useful.

“More than 35 per cent of Restart placements are in these sectors alone,” Senator Abetz said.

“It’s also pleasing that Restart is proving effective in helping older workers with disability return to the workforce with 548, or just under 25 per cent of those placed being Disability Employment Services (DES) clients.

“It’s equally pleasing to see the momentum of the Restart programme continues, with 367 workers placed in jobs since the start of jobactive on 1 July.

“This momentum has been aided by the work of Susan Ryan, Ambassador for Mature Age Employment, who I was pleased to appoint to that position earlier this year.”

Senator Abetz said the Government is making it easier for businesses to take on older workers.

"As part of the changes in the Budget, employers can access the wage subsidies sooner to help them with the upfront costs of hiring a new employee. This will help local businesses when they need it the most.”

Senator Abetz urged employers to consider taking on older workers and to find out how Restart and other jobactive programmes can help.

“Employers who take advantage of Restart to provide older Australians with work are winners. That’s because besides getting a keen new worker and a wage subsidy, they also benefit from the lifetime of skills and experience that those workers bring to their business.

“I urge businesses to recognise that hiring an older Australian through Restart could be the best business decision they ever take,” Senator Abetz said.

To learn more about the Restart programme, contact a local jobactive provider or Disability Employment Services provider by calling 13 17 15 or visit www.employment.gov.au/Restart.