Unemployed? Government will cover rent, bond and removalist if you relocate for work

A new scheme, to be seen from 1 July this year, will provide the long-term unemployed with an added incentive to get a job. The government will pay for removalists' fees, bond and rent for those who relocate to get work.

A total $157 million of funding will be in part for this scheme, which is available to those aged 18 to 30 years, if they stay in a job for 24 months. They will receive $2,500 for staying in work for 12 months, and a $4,000 bonus for working for two years. A further $40 million is offered to those needed to relocate for a job.

This will see up to $6,000 to be available to those who move to a regional area, and $3,000 for those relocating to a city. Families could receive another $3,000. In total, unemployed parents with children could receive up to $9,000 in funding.

These payments will be to assist with rent, relocation costs such as removalists, and their bond. They will need to collect the receipts and have them for reimbursement.

Last Thursday, Minister for Employment, Eric Abetz, said that greater incentives needed to be provided, despite total employment rising.

These incentives included a Job Commitment Bonus, of up to $6,500, as mentioned above, that encourages long-term unemployed Australians to find a job, a Seniors Employment Incentive payment of up to $3,250, and the Tasmanian Jobs Programme which provides an incentive to businesses to employ job seekers who have been out of work for six months or more.

“Whilst employment figures can fluctuate from month to month, the growth in employment is welcome,” Abetz said of the latest numbers.

The level of assistance is an increase on past schemes, however is now different between metro and regional areas, and offers extra to families.

The Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014 also notes that in order to be eligible, the workers will need to have been receiving Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance Other (not as an apprentice or full time student) for 12 months. They need to remain in work and off benefits for a minimum period of 12 months.

The bonus will be awarded even if the individual is in multiple jobs, rather than one continuous, provided they stay off of benefits. Self-employment qualifies, but other work is excluded, including work in the sex industry.

All the bonuses are tax free.

The 'Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job' programme is the replacement for 'Move 2 Work', which expires on 30 June 2014.

The level of assistance looks to increase overall, however is now different between metro and regional areas, and offers the excess to families, which it did not before.