The Work-Life Works! (WoW!) Fund is a Government grant given to businesses to encourage employers to introduce Work-Life measures at the workplace. The WoW! Fund helps to defray costs incurred by companies while introducing Work-Life measures. An approved project can be co-funded up to a maximum of $20,000.
The grant consists of
a) A common tranche of up to a maximum $10,000. This portion of funding is subject to successful provision of FWA (flexible work arrangements) to appropriate staff.
b) An enhanced tier up to a maximum of $10,000 to facilitate the development of Work-Life and FWA processes in applicant companies. This portion of funding will be subject to outcomes of Work-Life development in the company, including the number of employees benefiting from better Work-Life Harmony as a result of the programmes.
Since its introduction in 2004, response to the WoW! Fund has been good - the first $10 million was fully committed by April 2007. The Government has decided to introduce an enhanced tier of $10,000, to provide more support for applicant companies that provide evidence they were able to achieve more in terms of better Work-Life processes, and had more employees benefiting from Work-Life Harmony as a result of the programmes.
Other changes are:
1. A streamlined common tranche of $10,000 for the WoW! Fund and Flexi-Works! programme to encourage applicant companies to put in place FWA.
2. Government co-funding increased from 70% to 80%.
3. Increased flexibility in items funded, provided applicants can show how the funding will help in their Work-Life efforts. The fund works on a reimbursement basis and there is no initial disbursement. Expenditure caps have been removed.
4. Disbursements will be tied to key project milestones. Applicants who show commitment to Work-Life or FWA will receive priority in approval.
