Job Ops
Job Ops provides employers with a $5,000 subsidy to provide employment opportunities to young people with low or no skills or work experience.
About Job Ops
We understand that even in times of recession employers are still busy. Job Ops provides a subsidy to assist employers who may be struggling to employ staff in entry‑level positions.
Job Ops is designed to help employers take on an employee they otherwise may not be able to. It’s also a chance to give valuable work experience to young people who find themselves out of work.
Job Ops opportunities must be for at least six months, and are targeted to help prepare young people for further opportunities in the workforce. There is no expectation that the opportunity will lead to a long-term or permanent role.
Job Ops criteria
To qualify for Job Ops the position must be:
- a new position that would not exist if the Job Ops subsidy was not available to the employer
- a continuous position of six months duration only
- a full-time position of 30 hours per week or more
- an entry-level position that requires no pre-requisite skills or experience
A Job Ops opportunity cannot be accepted if the employment agreement attached to the job contains a 90 day employment trial provision. If the employer removes the 90 day employment trial provision from the employment agreement, then the opportunity can be accepted on the basis that this is a 6 month opportunity.
An employer cannot receive a Job Ops subsidy for a position from which they have made a worker redundant in the last month.
Registering a Job Ops opportunity
To register a Job Ops opportunity employers will need to contact the Work and Income Employer Line on 0800 778 008. We’ll need to confirm that the job opportunity meets the Job Ops criteria.
We will work with you to help find the most suitable person for your opportunity.
Payment and support
Job Ops will provide employers two lump-sum subsidy payments for each young person employed for at least six months in an entry-level position. An initial subsidy payment of $3,000 will be made at the commencement of the employment period, followed by a further $2,000 subsidy payment after the employee has worked for six months.
We will provide employers with a Work and Income contact person after they list a Job Ops opportunity.
Employer's contribution
Employers will be required to pay at least minimum wage to the employee for the agreed period.
For further information about employment agreements, and to assist you to build an employment agreement please use the link to the ‘Employment Agreements’ page at the Department of Labour’s website below.
Important information about the payment
Job Ops will only be available for application until 30 June 2010.