As the task of recruiting new staff is an ongoing challenge for all early learning service providers, we'd like to make sure that you are aware of all of the Federal Government support programs available to you.

There may also be similar programs at the state-level which you could also benefit from. You may like to talk to your ACA State Body if you have any questions about the State Government-level programs.

We recommend that you consider each of the national initiatives listed below:

1/ Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements
To assist with the recovery from the impact of COVID-19 and help build a pipeline of skilled candidates, the Australian Government is providing support to all employers who take on trainees and apprentices.

(You may like to read our blog article - Five reasons your service should support a trainee early childhood educator.)

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy supports businesses and Group Training Organisations that take on new trainees and apprentices on or after 5 October 2020. Eligible businesses receive a subsidy of 50 per cent of wages paid to a trainee/apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021, to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter.
ACA encourages members to take advantage of this funding support while they can. We encourage taking on two trainees at a time – taking on two means they can both support each other in their educational journey.

Important Note: The subsidy is not available for trainees/apprentices receiving any other form of Australian Government wage subsidy e.g. Supporting Apprentices and Trainees, JobKeeper Payment or JobMaker Hiring Credit.

You can read the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements fact sheet here.

For more information about taking on one or more trainees and how to apply for the BAC wage subsidy, contact one of the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Providers that services your state.

Alternatively get in touch with your local, trusted RTO if you already have a relationship. 

2/ Launch Into Work Program
The Launch into Work program supports the delivery of pre-employment projects, which prepare job seekers for vacancies, and helps employers trial new ways of recruiting.
The program is suitable for employers who are willing to use a pre-employment project as a way of recruiting for positions that offer career pathways to job seekers. All pre-employment projects must include:

• accredited and non-accredited training, tailored to the positions and/or the sector that the project relates to work experience
• participant mentoring
• employment for suitable job seekers who successfully complete the pre-employment project.

Project duration is typically between 4 and 12 weeks.

What funding is available?
The department procures pre-employment projects from employers. Projects are designed to develop job seekers' skills for the identified roles, and as such the cost of each project will differ. As part of the project co-design process, the department will work with you to identify all costs associated with the project and potential funding sources. Please note that state subsidised training should be utilised where possible. Applicants must demonstrate value for money and this will be factored in to the application assessment process.

How many job vacancies does the employer have to have to deliver a Launch into Work project?
It is expected that a minimum of 10 jobs should be available to fill through delivery of a Launch into Work project. The number of project participants must not exceed the number of available jobs.

Smaller employers may consider consortium arrangements where vacancies exist across each participating organisation. In such cases, a lead employer would be appointed to work closely with the department to develop and lead delivery of the project.

While Launch into Work is primarily focussed on creating long-term employment pathways for women, men may also participate in the program.

For more information:

• Visit the webpage.
• Read the Frequently Asked Questions.
• Register your interest by contacting the Employer and Workforce Strategies Team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 3/ JobMaker Hiring Credit
The JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme is an incentive for businesses to employ additional young job seekers aged 16–35 years.
Employers can claim JobMaker Hiring Credit payments to help with the cost of hiring additional employees. You are not required to pass the payment on to your employees.

The JobMaker Hiring Credit:

• is paid every three months in arrears to employers
• can be claimed from 1 February 2021 for the first JobMaker period (7 October 2020 to 6 January 2021).

Eligible employers can access the JobMaker Hiring Credit for each eligible additional employee they hire between 7 October 2020 and 6 October 2021. You can find out if you are an eligible employer here.

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• The deadline for the first claims period (7 October 2020 to 6 January 2021) for the JobMaker Hiring Credit is Friday 30 April.
• New employment figures (released by the ABS on 15 April) show more than 300,000 additional jobs have been created since October 2020 and the ATO is encouraging businesses that have hired new employees in this period to take advantage of the JobMaker Hiring Credit.
• Using the JobMaker Hiring Credit, businesses that have increased both their headcount and payroll since 7 October 2020 could receive up to $10,400 for each new job they fill with an eligible employee aged 16 to 29 years, and $5,200 for each eligible employee aged 30 to 35 years.

For more information about this program and how to apply, read the JobMaker Hiring Credit guide.

We hope you can make use of this information at your service.

ACA welcomes any feedback on your experiences with these programs - please feel free to get in touch and share your experiences via email or telephone with your relevant ACA State Body.