Job Assist - $8,000 Government Assistance
Queensland is now moving towards a preventative approach to job losses, focusing on helping businesses to be resilient to the effects of the global financial crisis and to prepare for the future as conditions improve.
The Queensland Government is providing assistance and support to help businesses to help themselves — strong, resilient businesses help to protect jobs. There is a strong link between the continuing viability of businesses in a downturn and their ability to retain workers.
The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation – DEEDI has implemented the Jobs Assist program that provides strong support for businesses that have been identified as requiring support services. Jobs Assist provides support to businesses with 10 or more FTE’s within the Priority Employment Areas identified by the Federal Government under the Keep Australia Working strategy or to businesses in other areas with 10 or more FTE’s that are in key sectors considered to be critical or strategic to the State, region or industry or in a significant sectoral supply chain.
Client Eligibility
Clients are identified through existing Departmental processes and will need to meet the eligibility criteria below. Once a client has been approved by the Department they will be able to select a consultant.
The eligibility criteria under this activity are that the business must:
- be one of the following:
- located within a Priority Employment Area under the Federal Government’s Keep Australia Working strategy
- fall within key sectors and be considered to be of critical or strategic importance to the State, region, industry or in a significant sectoral supply chain.
Be experiencing one of the following:
a) the variation in working capital is negative and has declined by more than 25% between two points in time i.e. 30 June 2009 and the most recent reporting period or
b) the business begins the two point period with negative working capital and remains in that position at the end of the two point period.
- employ 10 or more FTE’s
- have an established operating base in Queensland
- have an ABN number and be registered for GST.
Stage 1
A business assessment is undertaken by an experienced consultant to:
- identify deficiencies in the working capital
- identify issues impacting on the business
- identify management reporting processes
- develop an Action Plan to improve business performance.
Stage 2
Proposed outcomes include:
- improved working capital position
- sustained business activity and existing employment levels maintained
- improved business knowledge
- improved business management skills and reporting processes
- increased efficiency and productivity levels
- improved business and employment outcomes
- benefit through other identified support mechanisms.