Regional workers travel and accommodation support scheme
The WA Government is providing support for Western Australian job seekers that will encourage regional work and travel, and help people access jobs in the regions.
To be eligible workers need to have:
- relocated more than 100 kilometres from their current residence to take up an employment opportunity in regional WA
- taken up employment in an eligible agriculture, fisheries and food processing job for a primary producer, a labour hire or contracting business since the 9 September 2021
- been employed for at least 2 consecutive weeks (14 days) by the same employer in regional WA
An applicant, who has the right to work in Australia, but is not in Australia as a Working Holiday Maker can apply for:
- an accommodation allowance of $40 per night ($280 week) for each night living away from home to take up eligible employment in regional area, up to a maximum of 12 weeks, and
- a one-off travel allowance with the payment amount based on the region in which they have taken up employment being:
- an allowance of $150 to eligible applicants taking up employment in the Peel, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, Mid-West and Goldfields-Esperance regions
- an allowance of $350 to eligible applicants taking up employment in the Gascoyne or Pilbara regions
- an allowance of $500 to eligible applicants taking up employment in the Kimberley region.
Please note that the scheme is now in its second round of funding.
- The new round started on 9 September 2021.
- Workers supported under the previous round (Round 1; 9 September 2020 to 8 September 2021) will be able to reapply for the Scheme, even if they reached their maximum allowance under Round 1.
- Workers are permitted to apply even if returning to work for the same employer.
- Where a worker is continuing employment across the period of Round 1 and Round 2, only the accommodation allowance may be claimed.
The scheme is open to anyone who relocates to regional Western Australia to work in an eligible job role on or after 9 September 2021 and who meets all eligibility criteria.
Due to an influx of applications due to the current harvest season, assessments will take longer than usual.
You’ll find more information here.