The Back to Work scheme wrapped up in March 2024, after distributing thousands of payments to eligible employers of retrenched and unemployed workers.
Established through the Back to Work Act 2015, the scheme provided payments to eligible employers that employed or trained retrenched automotive workers, dairy industry workers, unemployed people living in the Latrobe Valley and retrenched Hazelwood Power Station workers.
The scheme was designed to encourage and support ongoing employment in Victoria by providing financial assistance to eligible employers.
At Back to Work’s peak in the April–June 2016 quarter, we made 10,310 payments worth $28,555,540. However, activity slowed in recent years, with no claims paid in 2023.
Final applications for Back to Work payments closed on 31 March 2024.