Wage Assistance
Wage Assistance is a payment given to Australian employers as an incentive to employ Indigenous Australians on an on-going basis. The Program is managed by the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
The Wage Assistance Program was established in 1999 as part of the Indigenous Employment Policy. It provides an incentive to employers to provide ongoing employment for eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers.
Wage Assistance offers salary subsidies to employers of up to:
- $4,400 for full-time work (that is 35 hours per week or the hours defined as full-time in the relevant industrial award or certified workplace agreement) or
- $2,200 (including GST) for ongoing part-time work of at least 15 hours per week.
Wage Assistance is used mainly by small private sector businesses and is available for apprentices and trainees as well as other employees. It is also available to public and community sector employers.
Read more about Wage Assistance eligibility criteria, how to apply, case studies or download the application form.