Employees are an investment for any business. Hiring a mature aged worker can be a great investment, bringing many years of experience and knowledge.

Advantages of employing mature aged workers

Mature aged workers have often built up knowledge and skills during their time in the workforce, so they can help you to:

• look at your business operations from a different perspective
• improve your business processes
• fill any skill or knowledge gaps in your workplace
• provide mentoring to less experienced employees
• train up your employees by sharing skills.

There is evidence that mature aged workers can:

• save you money due to lower rates of absenteeism
• make your business more productive
• help you learn and adjust to new technologies in the workplace.

It makes good business sense to consider hiring more mature aged workers. Over the next 10 years, as the Australian population ages, we'll see:

• a decreasing number of young people entering the workforce
• an increasing number of older workers staying into the workforce.

If your business welcomes mature aged workers, you'll be seen as a more attractive employer to a growing proportion of the workforce.

Age discrimination

It’s unlawful to disadvantage employees and job seekers in any way because of their age.

To make sure you have a discrimination-free workplace, and you understand your rights and responsibilities as an employer, check out:

• the Age discrimination fact sheet for employers on the Australian Human Rights Commission website
• our equal opportunity and diversity page.

Preparing your workplace

Take advantage of the fact that many mature aged workers have a lot of experience and skills! Any employee will feel more motivated if they're given the opportunity to:

• use their specific skillset
• mentor and share their skills with other employees.

Before they start, take the time to list key tasks in your business and consider which are suited to delegating to mature aged workers. You could give them full responsibility for some tasks in your business, easing your own workload. If you have less experienced employees, you could consider handing over training and supervising duties to your mature aged workers.

It’s also a good idea to offer flexible working arrangements to mature aged workers so they can juggle their family and work commitments.

Financial support & programs for employers

As an employer, you can access a range of tools and programs to help you employ mature aged workers. If you employ a mature age worker, you may also be eligible for financial support from the government.

Check out the Department of Jobs and Small Business':

• Investing in Experience Tool Kit - a practical guide to employing people over 45 years of age.
• Restart Wage Subsidy - financial assistance to employers who employ and retain job seekers aged 50 years and over.

Search our Grants & Assistance for more government support for your business.