In response to feedback from businesses regarding the difficulties they are experiencing with workplace shortages, we have received the following information from the Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development about current efforts and support available.

Statistics: 

  • As at 30 June 2021, Noosa LGA has 7097 small business, 2243 with 1–4 employees and 673 with 5–19 employees. (DATA Source: QGSO, ABS, CABEE)
  • The top three industries in terms of numbers of businesses in Noosa LGA are Construction 18.2%, Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services 15.6% and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services with 14%. (DATA Source: QGSO, ABS, CABEE)
  • The largest employers by industry in the Noosa LGA are Health Care and Social Assistance – 3455 (14.7%); Accommodation and Food Services – 3240 (13.8%) and Retail Trade – 2929 (2.5%). (DATA Source: ABS, NIEIR)
  • The Noosa Local Government Area profile contains further information (download here).

Current and Recent Efforts:

  • As at 17 June 2022, $12.845 million has been provided under the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) Small Business Grants (Data source: Smarty Grants & QRIDA), assisting 1452 recipient businesses in the Noosa LGA since Febaruary 2020. The two biggest Small Business Grant funding programs are:
    • Small Business Adaption Grant, 437 business shared in $3.868 million
    • Business Support Grant, 924 businesses shared in $8.447 million
  • Since 2015–16, the Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) initiative has invested $8.753 million in Noosa LGA to assist 880 people find 595 jobs.
  • As at February 2022, there were eight SQW programs being delivered in the Noosa LGA, and another 13 progams being delivered across the Sunshine Coast district
  • Mentoring for Growth has held 38 sessions to assist businesses to grow from July 2016 to 6 June 2022. This program assists with the development of businesses through the free Mentoring for Growth Program.
  • The Back to Work program has provided $865,625 to assist 57 people under the Youth Boost Program to find work across 41 employers, and 15 employers have been assisted under the Employer Support Program. (Data source: QGrants from 1 July 2016)
  • As at 17 June 2022, $4.199 million has been invested to subsidise enrolments under User Choice (apprenticeship and traineeship training) and Certificate 3 Guarantee/Higher Level Skills Training for 2021–22.
  • As at 17 June 2022, 189 Apprentices and Trainees have completed training, 826 are currently In-Training and there have been 461 New Commencements in Apprenticeship and Traineeship training in 2021–22. There are 423 people, aged under 25, currently In Free Apprenticeship Training.
  • These Skills Assured Supplier registered training organisations are providing Fee Free training under the Job Trainer fund in Certificate III in Community Services, and Certificate III in Individual Support:
  • Max Solutions
  • STEPS Employment
  • DESBT Local Engagement has included:
    • Noosa Add1 to your workforce event – 31 May 2022
      • This event was organised by DESBT as part of Queensland Small Business Month and was supported by Noosa Shire Council, Noosa Education and Training Alliance (NETA), Tourism Noosa and Noosa Community Training Centre. DESBT directly invited 851 businesses in the Noosa area to attend. 18 local businesses registered attendance resulting in 15 attending.
      • Business were invited to come along with potential jobs and find out how local high schools, community organisations and agencies can support them to find their next employee.
    • Noosa Future Skills Learning Hub, Noosa Education and Training Alliance (NETA) and Noosa Council.
      • DESBT is actively engaging with Noosa Council Economic Development team on initiatives and meet regularly to discuss place based initiatives aligning to the Regional Economic Development Strategy and Queensland Government programs.
      • A survey commissioned by Noosa Council and NETA into the feasibility of a establishing a Future Skills Learning Hub was shared. A broadcast was sent out to 300 recipients to promote the survey to encourage a broader community response. DESBT is awaiting outcomes of the feasibility to determine further place based initiatives that may be considered in line with these findings.
    • Tourism Noosa Workforce Shortage meetings
      • DESBT is an active participant in these meetings and have provided information on potential initiatives that may support local employers, such as school based apprenticeships and traineeships, SQW, Back to Work small business courses, Gateway to Industry Schools programs and other initiatives from across Queensland that may be considered such as jobs portals developed by Regional Jobs Committees.
    • School engagement
      • As part of a local communication strategy, four of Noosa’s LGA schools are regularly contacted to further develop students pathways, to promote and monitor School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. All schools are invited to attend the quarterly DESBT Reference Group meetings to discuss vocational training, education and employment
  • As at 24 June 2022, there are 18 Australian Government jobactive providers within the Noosa LGA.