Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS)
What is it?
The Wage Subsidy Scheme aims to encourage employers to provide employment, under open employment conditions, to eligible workers with disability. It is an incentive to employers to help them with the initial employment costs of engaging a person with disability
The scheme aims to increase the competitiveness of workers with disabilities in gaining employment under open labour market conditions. Through subsidised employment placements, workers are able to obtain employment and acquire valuable skills and experience.
How does it work?
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is only available to Disability Employment Network (DEN) members and Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VRS) providers.
The scheme offers financial assistance through wage subsidies to employers who employ eligible workers with disability. The wage subsidies are administered by, and paid to employers by DEN and VRS providers.
The wage subsidy rate is up to a maximum of $1,500 per eligible placement. Wage subsidy funding may only be used for wage subsidies and the administration of the wage subsidy. Service providers are entitled to claim a $100 administration fee per job seeker.
Wage subsidies are available when employment has reached 13 weeks, or likely to be of 13 weeks duration, and is at least eight hours per a week.
More information
For further information and advice on disability related employment please contact a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 or visit www.jobaccess.gov.au.