Energy Bill Relief Fund and AgCareerStart Program

• Energy Bill Relief Fund (VIC)

This program aims to provide electricity bill rebates to eligible Victorian households and small businesses to ease cost of living pressures.

Eligible Victorian households can get $250 in bill relief from 1 July 2023, administered by the Victorian Government.

How Much You Can Get:

• $250 in bill relief

Eligibility:

• Must have an eligible concession (DVA Gold Cards, Health Care Cards, Pensioner Concession Card, Carer Allowance, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Family Tax Benefit A and/or B)
• Must be the electricity account holder for your principal residence

How to Get It:

• Automatically applied by your electricity provider if you already receive a Victorian electricity concession
• Contact your electricity retailer if you think you are eligible but are not currently receiving a concession
• Services Australia will contact eligible recipients directly in September 2023

Embedded Networks:

• Eligible households must apply through the Victorian Energy Compare website for a direct payment

When You Will Get It:

• $125 applied to your account in August and February 2024 for existing concession recipients
• Single payment of $250 from November for those contacted by Services Australia

Contact:

• Administered by the Victorian Government
• Website: Energy Bill Relief Fund – Victorian Government
• Phone: 13 61 86

https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates/energy-bill-relief-households-victoria

• AgCareerStart Program – For farmers

This program aims to assist farmers in employing a young Australian to work on their farm for 10-12 months, sharing their skills, knowledge, and industry insights as a farm host, contributing to the future agricultural workforce by giving someone a start in the industry, accessing a new labor market by leveraging AgCAREERSTART’s recruitment process, and challenging themselves to develop skills as an employer and a mentor.

Overview:

• Employ a young Australian on your farm for 10-12 months to share skills, knowledge, and industry insights.

Benefits:

• Receive a $2,000 grant.
• Support and training from the AgCAREERSTART team.
• Access new talent through national recruitment.
• Participate in industry events and the National Farmers’ Federation network.
• Join a community of experienced host employers.

Matching Process:

1. Applications close and candidates are shortlisted.
2. Host farmers receive candidate profiles and decide to interview or reject within 72 hours.
3. Conditional match followed by interviews.
4. Confirmed match leads to employment offer and onboarding.

Onboarding:

• Issue an employment contract and agree on a start date.
• Attend a Host Farmer Onboarding Webinar.
• Complete induction and safety procedures to receive the $2,000 payment.

Participant Support:

• Participants receive a $4,500 bursary, training, and access to counseling.
• 24/7 emergency support available.
• Regular interaction and support from AgCAREERSTART.

Industry Events and Training:

• Both participants and host employers can attend industry events and training with costs covered.

Application Process:

• Any Australian farming business can apply.
• Prepare a detailed application including business description and role offered.
• Complete a suitability screening.
• Application timeline: Host Farmer Applications (NOW – 29th Sept, 2024), Screening (NOW – 13th Oct, 2024), Matching (from 29th Sept, 2024), Program Commencement (1st Jan – 31st March, 2025).

https://agcareerstart.com.au/info-for-farmers/