This quietly announced funding comes after business and industry groups called for the government to make changes to the tax threshold for retirees to return to the workforce to help relieve the staff shortages that ramped up just before Christmas.
The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson said on 24 December 2021, he was encouraging small and family businesses to welcome applications from all ages when hiring staff and that mature-age employees could help ease the workload.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also in December called on the federal Treasurer to incentivise greater participation in the workforce by allowing age pension recipients to earn more without impacting their pension.
ACCI chief executive Andrew McKellar said as the new COVID-19 omicron variant delayed the reopening of the international border to skilled migrants, working holidaymakers and international students, getting older skilled workers into the labour force will be key to Australia’s economic recovery.
The Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, and Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert, said the funding for older workers will double the number of places in the Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program, which provides career advice and support for those wanting to transition to new roles, as well as expanding the eligibility criteria.
“The Government is also doubling the Skills and Training Incentives, which provides up to $2,200 to jointly fund training to help participants upskill or re-skill to remain in the workforce for longer,” he said.
“This will help remove barriers and disincentives for older Australians who want to continue to pitch in.”
