The Federal Government has committed $10 million in funding for a bonus scheme to

encourage employers to hire mature-aged jobseekers.

Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said the scheme was designed to help tackle age

discrimination and encourage the employment of older Australians.

Under the scheme, developed in response to a report on the economic output of older

workers (‘Realising the economic potential of senior Australians: turning grey into gold’),

companies that recruit and retain a mature-aged worker for more than three months will be

eligible for a $1,000 bonus.

The Government has also committed $2.1 million over four years to the Age

Discrimination Commissioner to address age discrimination and stereotyping more

generally, and will conduct a review of Commonwealth legislation to identify age barriers to

workforce participation.