The Mature Age Employment and Workplace Strategy was announced in the 2004-05 Budget. It provides $12.1 million over four years for assistance that is in addition to services already available to mature age job seekers through Job Network. The Strategy aims to increase workforce participation by mature aged Australians and addresses both labour supply and employer demand.

The three major elements in the package are:

1. Jobwise Outreach
2. Mature Age Workplace Strategy
3. Mature Age Industry Strategy

1. Jobwise Outreach

Jobwise Outreach is aimed at mature age job seekers and workers in selected regions. There are two components:

• Jobwise Workshops; and
• Jobwise Job Seeker Self-Help Groups.

Jobwise Workshops are held nationally for mature age job seekers and workers to provide them with information on the changing nature of the labour market, including their own local labour markets, effective job search strategies and available assistance measures. Those eligible will be linked up with their chosen provider.

Jobwise Self Help Groups are networks of mature age job seekers, allowing them to exchange experiences, provide mutual support, develop their job search techniques and improve career decisions. Jobwise Self Help Groups will be open to all job seekers but will be aimed primarily at job seekers ineligible for full Job Network services.

[back to top]

2. Mature Age Workplace Strategy

The Mature Age Workplace Strategy is aimed at employers. It consists of:

• The Wise Workforce Programme,
• The Jobwise Website; and
• Mature Age Employment Practical Guide.

Wise Workforce workshops have been established at a regional level to raise awareness about demographic changes affecting labour supply amongst employers, particularly small to medium sized enterprises. The workshops aim to provide employers with practical tools and networks that could assist them implement workplace policies and practices to attract and retain experienced workers including mature age workers. 

Jobwise is a website dedicated to promoting mature age employment. It contains information for employers, mature age job seekers and mature age workers.

The Mature Age Employment Practical Guide is designed to be a comprehensive guide for employing people over 45 in Australia. It includes case studies, checklists examples, ‘how to’ information, and links to additional resources that can be used by businesses to help implement mature age friendly workplace practices and processes. By implementing the basic strategies in the guide, businesses will be able to tap into the financial benefits of employing mature age staff and avoid skills shortages.

[back to top]

3.   Mature Age Industry Strategy

Under the Mature Age Industry Strategy, DEEWR manages cooperative industry initiatives that improve recruitment and retention measures for mature age job seekers and workers. Outcomes of these projects are showcased to employers and employment service providers nationally. Activity is concentrated in those industries considered to offer mature age job seekers the greatest opportunity for employment. These industries include health and community services, retail, manufacturing, property and business services and the accommodation, cafes and restaurant sector.

[back to top]

MAEWS Regions

Jobwise Outreach and Wise Workforce are delivered in ten specified regions each year. These regions, called MAEWS Regions, are selected because they have a high population of mature age people and a relatively high level of mature age unemployment, as well as employment opportunities. The regions are also selected to provide a wide national coverage over the period of the strategy.

The MAEWS regions and areas for the 2007-2008 financial year are:

The 2006-2007 MAEWS regions were:

The 2004-2005 MAEWS regions were:

[back to top]