Financial assistance
Access incentives and wage subsidies up to $10,000 when you hire eligible job seekers with Castle's Inclusive Employment Australia program.
Make enquiryBusinesses may be able to access incentives and wage subsidies of up to $10,000 when they hire eligible job seekers through Castle's Inclusive Employment Australia program.
Funded by the Australian Government, the Inclusive Employment Australia Wage Subsidy is designed to encourage employers to provide ongoing employment opportunities for people with disability. The subsidy helps offset some of the upfront costs associated with recruitment, onboarding and the initial stages of employment.
When you hire an eligible job seeker, we will guide you through the process of accessing the wage subsidy, managing the agreement requirements and ensure everything is set up correctly from the start, always focusing on the right fit for your business.
Castle can help you build the right team for your business at no cost.
Port Stephens Packaging has worked with Castle for almost 15 years, employing nearly 50 people with disability across various roles.
Is my business eligible?
Eligibility requirements apply to both the employer and the role being offered. Your business is generally eligible for the Inclusive Employment Australia Wage Subsidy if:
Your business has an ABN
The job seeker is registered with an Inclusive Employment Australia provider and is meeting their program requirements
You have not employed the participant (or hosted them through labour hire) within the past 2 years
You are not receiving another government wage subsidy for the same worker or position
The role must be ongoing and sustainable, provide at least 8 hours per week on average, and continue for a fixed 26-week period.
The role does not displace an existing employee, and is not a commission-based, subcontracting or self-employment position
Your business has not recently retrenched or reduced staff in the same role without reasonable explanation
The role complies with Fair Work requirements, including minimum wage, superannuation and workplace health and safety obligations
Our team will confirm all eligibility criteria before a subsidy is offered, and support both the participant and the business to meet any obligations during employment.
Hunter Water's Head of People and Culture talks about how they benefit from an inclusive workforce.
What subsidies are available?
There is one wage subsidy available under Inclusive Employment Australia, with funding levels based on the average weekly hours agreed over a 26-week period.
The wage subsidy must be negotiated and agreed before employment commences and formally approved by the employer within 28 days of the job start date.
The available levels are:
Level 1 – up to $3,000
For employment of at least 8 hours per week (on average).
Level 2 – up to $5,000
For employment of 15 hours or more per week (on average).
Level 3 – up to $7,500
For employment of 20 hours or more per week (on average).
Level 4 – up to $10,000
For employment of:
• 30 hours or more per week, or
• 20 hours or more per week where the participant is under 25 years of age.
The agreed subsidy amount is set out in a formal Wage Subsidy Agreement and cannot exceed 100% of the wages paid to the employee during the 26-week period.