Applications are now open for the Queensland Government’s revitalised $140 million Back to Work employment program that’s set to support thousands of Queenslanders to get - and keep – jobs.

More than 500 people across the Cook electorate have already utilised the program to gain employment.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the refreshed program, unveiled in this year’s State Budget, will provide greater access to on-the-ground support for employers and disadvantaged job seekers.

“We fund these job-creating initiatives not only because they provide vital career opportunities to Queenslanders, but because they help small businesses too: over 80% of employers benefiting from Back to Work are small businesses,” Minister Farmer said.

“Across the state, small businesses are telling me that trying to get people to fill the jobs they have is a major challenge.”

Member for Cook, Cynthia Lui, said the Back to Work program had made a big difference.

“Since 2016 over $5 million has helped 528 people get jobs in 245 businesses in Cook,” Ms Lui said.

“Back to Work will give businesses the confidence to take a chance on the new staff they need to grow, and I am so pleased the Palaszczuk Government is making this $140 million investment.

“This program helps all Queenslanders, but especially our young people here in Cook looking for their first job.”

Ms Lui said as Queensland enters the latest phase of economic recovery, the Back to Work program will include additional support for employers and job seekers to support long-term and sustainable employment.

"The focus will be on those job seekers who experience significant disadvantage in the labour market, who often require more intensive support to find a job,” Ms Lui said.

"There’ll be Back to Work Support payments of up to $15,000 to eligible businesses who employ an eligible job seeker including the long term unemployed, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person or someone with disability, and there’ll be a $20,000 Youth Boost payment for eligible businesses to employ an eligible Queenslander aged between 15- 25.

"We are unashamedly focussed on getting our young people in the Cape into jobs.

“These payments will create genuine, long-term employment outcomes.”

In addition to the financial employer incentives, a new range of intensive support for both job seekers, employers and their employees will be available.

“We’ve made a number of changes in response to specific feedback we received after speaking with thousands of businesses at the Small Business Roadshow earlier this year,” Minister Farmer said.

“We’ve also added more elements to the program – including a range of intensive support to ensure both job seekers and businesses have what they need to succeed.

“This wraparound support will not only help businesses recruit workers, but, vitally, to retain them too,” Minister Farmer said.

The support includes flexible approaches to provide employers and job seekers with the assistance and skills to successfully navigate job outcomes. The new approach will include utilising short courses, screening tools and workplace adjustments through the program’s network of support officers.

The application cap on employers reset to zero on 1 July 2021. This means an eligible employer may make a further four applications under the revitalised Back to Work program.

For more information about the program visit qld.gov.au/backtowork.