Wanting a tree change? Up to $9,000 is on offer for those wishing to move for ECEC jobs

The Australian Government is offering $2,000 of upfront support from a total support package of $9,000, to help those who are seeking jobs and need to relocate for more opportunities. 

 

This incentive payment could support early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in rural, regional and remote areas to resolve staffing shortages, while also supporting ECEC job seekers to overcome financial barriers which prevent them from relocating. 

 

The upfront funding initiative was announced recently by Stuart Robert, Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, and sits as part of the Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job program.

 

The Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job program currently provides up to $9,000 in support to encourage eligible job seekers to take up ongoing work in a new location. Once a job seeker has accepted an ongoing job, this support is available to help reimburse job seekers for some of the costs of relocating.

 

From May this year, job seekers may be able to receive up to $2,000 of that support in upfront payments.

 

The measure, Mr Robert said, is part of the Government’s commitment to “provide unprecedented support to help rebuild the economy.” 

 

“We recognise there are still many Australians actively seeking work and we’ve also spoken to employers who are finding it difficult to secure the labour they need, especially in regional areas,” he added. 

 

“These changes ensure that all job seekers eligible for relocation assistance, not just those in financial hardship, can get upfront support when they take up an offer of ongoing work.”

 

As part of the changes job seekers will also be eligible for assistance when they move for ongoing work of at least 20 hours a week, down from the current level of 30 hours a week.

 

All job seekers are immediately eligible to gain access to this support on commencement in employment services, rather than after 12 months of unemployment as was previously the case.

 

For more details on the Relocation to Take Up a Job program please see here.