UNEMPLOYED people willing to move to a regional area for work will receive up to $6000 to cover relocation expenses under a Labor policy announced today.
Those moving to a different metropolitan area will receive up to three thousand dollars, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced.
A re-elected Labor government would trial the measure for two years from January 1 next year targeting up to two thousand eligible people on unemployment benefits.
Employers would be offered two and a half thousand dollars to take those prepared to move for a job.
The National Farmers Federation has welcomed the announcement in a statement.
The NFF estimated that an extra 100,000 jobs in agriculture will be on offer over the next five years, with many regional areas experiencing a critical workforce shortage.
A key part of the solution to resolving workforce shortages was attracting and retaining a workforce through domestic relocation, the NFF said.
Ms Gillard dismissed suggestions Labor had pinched an idea put forward by Tony Abbott.
"His track record is all talk and no action," she said, adding the previous Howard government could have introduced the measure.
