Connecting you to Work in Central Queensland

Finding staff


Looking for ideas on where to find talented people for your organization? Work in Central Queensland is a one-stop-shop for assisting employers to find the right person for the job. Recruiting unsuitable staff can cost time and money. When you have a vacancy, it’s an ideal time to review your organization and the labour market.

Some things to consider:

  • Job description: Are you highlighting more than just the job vacancy? Will the description excite a job seeker with the opportunities it presents for them within your organization?
  • Understand why people change jobs: LinkedIn surveyed job changers and found 45% left their jobs over concerns about a lack of advancement (Source: LinkedIn, Why & how people change jobs). Millennials (born 1981-1996) are eager to grow their careers and will change jobs to do so.
  • Job retention: Engaged employees are a great resource for internal hires as well as attracting talent to your organization.
  • Labour market: Recruitment conditions are monitored by the Australian Government Department of Education Skills and Employment. Skill shortages vary from year to year across occupations and may affect renumeration and staff attraction and retention.
  • How to recruit and induct new employees including links to awards, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity requirements and employer responsibilities - https://www.business.gov.au/people/hiring/how-to-recruit-and-induct-new-employees

Support for finding staff

You may be eligible for wage subsidies for employees. Wage subsidies are a financial incentive to encourage employers to hire eligible jobseekers in ongoing jobs.

As at August 2020, up to $10,000 GST inclusive) is available for new employees who are: 15 to 24 years of age, indigenous Australians or 50 years of age and over. Up to $6,000 (GST inclusive) is available for new employees who are 25 to 29 years of age, parents or registered with an employment services provider for 12 months or more.

If you have any questions or would like to apply for a wage subsidy, contact an employment services provider within 12 weeks of the job starting or call the Employer Hotline on 13 17 15.

As part of the Australian Government’s Economic Response to COVID-19, support is being extended to businesses to keep apprentices and trainees employed through the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy - https://www.employment.gov.au/supporting-apprentices-and-trainees

Hiring apprentices and trainees

Employing an Australian Apprentice can benefit your business. Australian Apprentices can be part-time, full-time or still at school and by employing one you may be eligible for incentives, subject to eligibility criteria, waiting periods and time limits.

For more information, advice and help with recruiting, training and retaining, follow the link to Australian Apprenticeships - https://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/employers

Work experience, interns and graduates

Work experience and internships are types of on the job training.

Youth Jobs PaTH is an Australian Government employment service that supports businesses to trial young people in the workplace and offers a financial incentive when they hire.

Ideally taking on an intern or graduate is a long-term investment in developing future employees. With a targeted program, you can attract top ranking individuals interested in staying with your business.

Register with an industry body or become a member of an employment agency specialising in recruiting graduates or attend job expos at universities if you would like to recruit interns or graduates.

Develop a program to build the intern or graduate’s knowledge or skills to work in your business. Things to consider:

  • Responsibilities and objectives
  • Staff time and resources to manage the program
  • Current market trends
  • Training and professional development activities
  • Opportunities for interns and graduates to share experiences with peers
  • Organising mentors.

Fair Work Ombudsman Work experience and internships - https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/unpaid-work/work-experience-and-internships

Sample US Employer guide to developing an internship program: https://career.bryant.edu/resources/files/RI%20Employer%20Guide%20Good%20Internships%20are%20Good%20Business2%20(3).pdf

Support for employing mature age workers

Mature age workers are 2.4 times more likely to remain with an employer and take fewer sick days.

The Australian Government supports employers to help hire or re-train mature age workers. Businesses can benefit from the experience and knowledge, employability skills and technical skills mature age workers bring.

Mature Age Hub - https://www.employment.gov.au/mature-age-hub

Resources for businesses - https://www.employment.gov.au/employing-mature-age-workers

Visas

The Australian Government’s commitment to protecting the health of Australians, supporting businesses and jobs and securing food supply has resulted in a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements - https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/frequently-asked-questions

The Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour scheme workers, Working Holiday Makers and other visa holders working in agriculture, are able to extend their stay in Australia to support the agriculture sector during COVID-19.

Although closed to new applications, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) provides an opportunity for skilled workers to come to Australia and work for an approved business. Sponsorships for Australian businesses can be valid for up to 6 years or the length of the labour agreement.

More information about these temporary arrangements is available - https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/