Hiring can be expensive, especially when you are growing a small team. The START Program (Nova Scotia) helps employers offset this risk by supporting the hiring of unemployed Nova Scotians through repayable wage assistance. If you are considering this program, this eligibility checklist will help you quickly confirm whether your business—and your potential hire—qualify.
The START Program is administered by Employment Nova Scotia and is currently open to eligible employers across the province.
Use the checklist below before you apply. Missing even one requirement can delay or block approval.
Your business must meet all of the following criteria:
Located in Nova Scotia
You must have a physical place of business in Nova Scotia, with employees working in the province.
Eligible organization type
You must be one of the following:
Apply before you hire
You must submit your START Program application and receive approval before the employee starts work. Retroactive applications are not accepted.
Able to repay the assistance
The START Program provides repayable financing, not a non-repayable grant. You must be financially able to repay the approved amount under the agreed terms.
The person you want to hire must also meet specific conditions:
Unemployed at the time of application
The individual must be unemployed when your application is submitted.
Resident of Nova Scotia
They must live in Nova Scotia and be legally allowed to work in the province.
Eligible work status
The employee must be one of the following:
Ready to work
The program is designed for “ready-to-work” individuals, meaning they can begin employment once approved.
It is important to understand how START funding works before applying:
Repayable wage support
Unlike most wage subsidies, START funding must be repaid. This affects cash flow planning and tax treatment.
Funding amount varies
The exact amount of support is negotiated and depends on program terms and your agreement with Employment Nova Scotia. There is no single fixed dollar amount listed publicly.
Agreement-based terms
Repayment timelines and conditions are set out in your approved agreement.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly confirm whether repayable programs like START align with your business stage and hiring plans.
Hiring before approval
If the employee starts work before your application is approved, your business becomes ineligible—no exceptions.
Assuming START is a grant
START is not non-repayable funding. Treating it like a grant can cause cash flow problems later.
Applying with an ineligible candidate
If the person is already employed or does not meet residency or status requirements, the application will be declined.
Not planning for repayment
Employers sometimes overlook repayment obligations. You should factor repayments into your financial forecasts before applying.
Q: What is the START Program in Nova Scotia?
The START Program is a repayable wage support program that helps employers hire unemployed Nova Scotians. It is administered by Employment Nova Scotia.
Q: Is the START Program funding repayable?
Yes. START provides repayable financing, not a non-repayable grant. Repayment terms are outlined in your funding agreement.
Q: Do I have to apply before hiring an employee?
Yes. Your application must be approved before the employee begins work. Hiring first makes your business ineligible.
Q: Who can I hire under the START Program?
You can hire unemployed Nova Scotia residents who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible international graduates.
Q: Is START funding taxable?
Check with your accountant to see how this affects your taxes. The rules for repayable assistance are not always the same as for grants.
After reviewing these questions, remember that GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and wage support programs across Canada—including provincial hiring incentives—so you can check which ones match your business profile.
If your business meets the START Program (Nova Scotia) eligibility checklist, the next step is confirming whether repayable wage support is the right fit compared to other hiring incentives. GrantHub helps you compare START with other provincial and federal programs, so you can make a confident hiring decision backed by accurate data.
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