FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said up to $9000 in financial assistance is now available for eligible long-term unemployed job seekers and their families to relocate to a new job.

 

Mr Joyce said this assistance would help jobseekers to move to take up a job offer.

 

“The Coalition Government recognises that some job-seekers may need to relocate to take up a job opportunity and that removal expensive can be prohibitive,” Mr Joyce said.

 

He said the programme assists individuals with the considerable costs of moving.

 

Up to $6,000 is available to eligible job seekers if they move to a regional area to take up a job. And up to $3,000 is available if moving to a capital city.

 

Job seekers with dependent children could also be provided with an extra $3000 to help cover additional relocation costs.

 

Relocation assistance is available to long-term unemployed job seekers who have been receiving Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or the Parenting Payment for 12 months or more.

 

Mr Joyce said they welcomed the Government’s initiative to help people move from welfare to work.

 

“This programme offers a strong incentive to job seekers to lift their gaze and look further afield to opportunities beyond where they live.

 

“This is an important part of the Government’s Economic Action Strategy that will build a strong and prosperous economy, where every Australian can share in the benefits.”

 

Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job is one of four initiatives that reinforce the Government’s commitment to get more people into the workforce.

 

Other programmes include Work for the Dole, the Job Commitment Bonus for young job seekers and Restart—a programme to support mature-age employment.

 

Job seekers interested in Relocation Assistance are encouraged to speak with their Job Services Australia or Disability Employment Services provider.

 

For further information visit: http://employment.gov.au/news/relocation-assistance-take-job-programme