A wage subsidy in Victoria for veterans transitioning from Defence to civilian life has been doubled by the state government.
The government announced the initiative ahead of Remembrance Day, with the subsidy increasing from $10,000 to $20,000 through the Jobs Victoria Fund.
The subsidy is available to businesses that employ veterans who have been out of work or underemployed.
Former Royal Australian Navy servicewoman Cheryl Walshe, one veteran to benefit from the service, gained employment at a Ballarat business that brought more financial security and ended a stretch of casual jobs.
“I’m glad my employer can benefit from the skills I acquired in the Navy, including being resourceful, hardworking, resilient, loyal, and a great problem solver,” Walshe said in a statement.
In another program, the Victorian government has been transiting veterans into the public service since 2016 and has recommitted to a target to put another 750 veterans into public roles by 2025 after meeting that same target this year.
Further to this, the government is promising 100 new construction jobs for veterans and their spouses during the next two years.
It comes as reports into veteran mental health recommend the federal government consider mandatory transition courses and early preparation for service personnel exiting Defence.
Jaala Pulford, Victoria’s employment minister, said it was right that veterans were given the chance to find new and rewarding careers following their “magnificent contribution” in the Australian Defence Force.
Victorian veterans affairs minister Shaun Leane said veterans had valuable skills and experience and it was essential that veterans had “appropriate and tailored” chances for development and employment.
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