The Australian  Government has announced it will broaden the eligibility of the More Help for Mature Age Workers (MHMAW) program and make changes to the payment structure to help address current levels of unmet demand.

 

The current MHMAW program supports the recognition of qualifications for mature age workers (aged 50 years and above) at the Certificate III level or above who have trade relevant skills but no formal qualification. It does this by reimbursing employers up to $2,000 for a skills assessment and $2,000 for training costs.

 

The new Budget measure expands the MHMAW program to include mature age workers from non‑trade occupations across all sectors of the economy, such as child care and business. Reimbursements to employers will also be restructured with employers eligible to claim $3,000 for the costs of the skills assessment and a further $1,000 upon completion of the gap training by the mature age worker.

 

To reflect these changes, the MHMAW program will be renamed the Investing in Experience — Skills Recognition and Training program. The cost of the measure will be met from within the existing resourcing of the MHMAW program.

 

This measure forms part of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Advisory Panel on the Economic Potential of Senior Australians.

 

The Budget has also abolished the 'Experience+ Training', 'On‑the‑Job Support' and 'Job Transition Support' programs, with a saving of $16.4 million over two years,  as the training and support currently delivered by these programs will now be supported by the Investing in Experience — skills recognition and training program.

 

Mature age workers who are currently receiving assistance from 'On‑the‑Job Support' and 'Job Transition Support' programs will continue to receive such assistance until they find a job or exit from the program. Employers approved for grants under the 'Experience+ Training' program would also have their grants processed under the original terms of their application.

 

In another initiative, the Government will provide $25.7 million over four years to assist mature age job seekers aged 55 years and over who are unemployed and would like help to re‑enter the workforce.

 

Under this measure, approximately 6,700 mature age job seekers on Stream 1, Stream 1 (limited), Stream 2 and Stream 3 of the Job Services Australia program in particular regions or industries, as prioritised by the Government, will receive a 'silver service' for intensive job preparations. This service includes a review of the person's skills and training needs, undertaking IT training including use of social media to support job search, career counselling, financial planning support, and support for resume preparation, interview skills and job search techniques.

 

This measure also includes incentives of up to $500 per job seeker for items associated with job preparation, for example internet connection or other IT‑related hardware.