A trial is now underway to encourage unemployed people to take up seasonal horticultural work to get experience and improve their skills.
The Coalition Government’s Seasonal Work Incentives Trial offers a range of incentives for unemployed people to undertake seasonal horticultural work to help them gain experience and improve their skills.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the Seasonal Work Incentive Trial would support job seekers and businesses keen to give workers a start.
“This is a win-win for local workers and growers in the horticultural industry, which is often in need of short-term labour during peak times,” Mr Chester said.
“Horticultural work offers excellent practical opportunities for people keen to build their skills and gain work experience.
“Gippsland has unlimited potential as a vegetable and fresh salad growing hub for Australia and the broader Asian region. I am excited by the opportunities this trial can provide for both our growers and people seeking work.”
Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash said the Seasonal Work Incentives Trial offered financial incentives to support unemployed people to take up work opportunities for up to six weeks.
“The Turnbull Government understands that the best form of welfare is a job,” Minister Cash said.
“The Seasonal Work Incentives Trial is targeted to assist 7,600 unemployed people undertake seasonal horticultural work, such as fruit picking, to get work experience and build their skills.”
The $27.5 million two-year trial began at the start of this month and is capped at 7,600 participants.
The trial’s incentives are available to eligible Newstart and Youth Allowance (Other) recipients who have been receiving those payments continuously for at least three months and are participating in jobactive, Transition to Work or Disability Employment Services.
The incentives include:
• participants being able to earn up to $5,000 each year from qualifying seasonal horticultural work without it being assessed under the social security income test;
• eligibility for a Seasonal Work Living Away and Travel Allowance of up to $300 each year, if they undertake qualifying seasonal horticultural work more than 120 kilometres from their home; and
• employment service providers will receive a Provider Seasonal Work Incentive Payment of $100 per week for up to six weeks a year for each eligible person that they place with eligible farmers.
For further information, visit www.employment.gov.au.
