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wage subsidy

Wage Subsidy Calculator

Calculate your potential savings when hiring eligible job seekers through Workforce Australia.

This calculator provides estimates based on current 2025 wage subsidy rates. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances.

Interactive Calculator

Calculate Your Savings

<div>
  <label className="block text-sm font-medium mb-2">
    Hours per Week (per employee)
  </label>
  <input
    type="number"
    defaultValue="38"
    className="w-full px-3 py-2 border rounded-md"
    min="20"
    max="40"
  />
  <span className="text-xs text-gray-500">Minimum 20 hours required</span>
</div>

<div>
  <label className="block text-sm font-medium mb-2">
    Hourly Rate ($)
  </label>
  <input
    type="number"
    defaultValue="25"
    className="w-full px-3 py-2 border rounded-md"
    min="24.95"
    step="0.01"
  />
  <span className="text-xs text-gray-500">Minimum wage: $24.95</span>
</div>

Your Potential Savings

Total Wage Subsidy: $10,000
6-Month Wage Cost: $24,700
Subsidy Coverage: 40.5%
* Additional savings from reduced recruitment costs not included

Subsidy Breakdown

Standard Wage Subsidy

  • Amount: $10,000 per eligible employee
  • Payment Schedule:
    • $5,000 after 13 weeks
    • $5,000 after 26 weeks
  • Requirements: Minimum 20 hours/week average

Additional Benefits Not Included in Calculator

Beyond the direct wage subsidy, employers typically save:

Benefit Type Estimated Savings
Recruitment costs avoided $2,000 - $5,000
Training support $1,000 - $3,000
Pre-screening by providers $500 - $1,500
Ongoing support services $1,000 - $2,000
Total Additional Benefits $4,500 - $11,500

Eligibility Quick Check

✅ Your Business Qualifies If:

  • You have a valid ABN
  • Can offer ongoing employment (6+ months expected)
  • Will pay award wages or above
  • Can provide 20+ hours per week average
  • Have workers compensation insurance

✅ The Job Seeker Qualifies If They Are:

  • Long-term unemployed (6+ months)
  • Youth (under 25)
  • Mature age (50+)
  • Indigenous Australian
  • Person with disability
  • Parent returning to work
  • Ex-offender

ROI Examples

Small Business (1 Employee)

  • Wage subsidy: $10,000
  • Recruitment savings: ~$3,000
  • Training support: ~$2,000
  • Total benefit: ~$15,000
  • ROI: 150% on first employee

Medium Business (5 Employees)

  • Wage subsidies: $50,000
  • Recruitment savings: ~$15,000
  • Training support: ~$10,000
  • Total benefit: ~$75,000
  • ROI: Equivalent to 1.5 FTE for 6 months

Large Business (20 Employees)

  • Wage subsidies: $200,000
  • Recruitment savings: ~$60,000
  • Training support: ~$40,000
  • Total benefit: ~$300,000
  • ROI: Major workforce expansion support

Next Steps

  1. Use the calculator above to estimate your savings
  2. Contact Workforce Australia on 1800 805 260
  3. Register your job vacancies with a provider
  4. Start interviewing pre-screened candidates
  5. Access your subsidies after meeting milestones
**Ready to save?** The average employer saves $15,000 per eligible hire when combining wage subsidies with recruitment cost savings.