TIME TO HIRE

NOW is a better time than any in Queensland to hire an apprentice or trainee, or up-skill employees, if it's your hip pocket you're really worried about. 

The State Government is incentivising business to support on-the-job training and professional development through tax breaks.

Bob Carter, managing director of Improve Group Learning Solutions, says many employers don't realise the wages or salary of an apprentice or trainee are payroll exempt in Queensland.

"Treasurer Curtis Pitt has recently announced new rebates are now available, and will apply for the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 financial years," says Carter.

"The State Government has announced a further rebate of 25 per cent to offset the payroll tax of another worker this should give jobs a big kick start."

Carter says the biggest benefit though may apply to existing workers.

"A key benefit of the payroll tax exemption is that it also applies to existing workers, allowing companies to up-skill and provide career pathways for those already in the workplace," he says.

"Employers will know where they have shortfalls and can work with their team to identify where training will provide great benefit to both the individual and the wider organisation."

Carter delivers this advice for a living, so for him the application is second nature. It's also a reason why his business is up for a 2015 Telstra Business Award.

However, he understands businesses who don't specialise in this area sometimes need that nudge in the right direction.

"Where we can help our clients is through finding and accessing the many schemes and incentives available to assist businesses improve their team's productivity and profitability," he says.

"It's our job to aid you in sourcing funding to minimise training expenses, and through our consultancy, we can guarantee productivity improvement of at least 50 per cent."

Click here or here for more information on the government subsidies and tax breaks available to Queensland businesses.