The Back to Work Bill 2014 (Vic) has passed all stages of the Victorian Parliament with amendments made in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council and awaits Assent. The Bill establishes a Back to Work Scheme for the purpose of providing relief to employers in respect of the costs associated with hiring certain unemployed or retrenched workers. The Victorian Treasurer is expected to determine the eligibility criteria for payments by way of gazettal notice prior to the Scheme coming into operation on 1 July 2015.
Broadly, the amendment made in the Legislative Council requires that the Commissioner of State Revenue (Vic) publish a report on the operation of the Back to Work Scheme on the State Revenue Office (SRO) website on a quarterly basis. The Legislative Assembly broadly agreed with the amendment and made some adjustments (which were agreed to by the Legislative Council).
The Scheme will effectively come into effect on 1 April 2015 with the first payments available from 1 July 2015. The SRO is expected to publish further guidance materials to assist claimants with the eligibility requirements and the application processes.
[LTN 52, 18/3/15]
Royal Assent
The Back to Work Bill 2014 (Vic) [on Wed 25.3.2015] received Royal Assent as Act No 3 of 2015.
[LTN 57, 25/3/15] [IT 25/3/15]