Stories
We have published a number of stories from Antipoverty Centre surveys, the Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union review app, news media and other sources on this site and will be adding to these over time to create an archive of material demonstrating the harms caused by “mutual” obligations and employment services providersCompliance with “mutual” obligations is enforced by outsourced employment se....
Job seeker forced to reject work to make job agency meetings
22 July 2022, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here. Multiple complaints of…
Dangerous to me, but also not applicable
Jobactive virus kickbacks top $500 million
29 August 2020, The Saturday Paper, Rick Morton. Access the full article here. Government policies…
Living on Centrelink payments means jumping through hoops and living on scraps – will it ever end?
5 October 2021, Guardian Australia, Lysa Llyod. Access the full article here. Life for those…
APM review, anonymous, 1 June 2023
Single mum made to skip work to attend job agency
7 September 2022, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here. Woman says job…
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Pushed to do jobs I had been injured doing
“Mutual” obligations are extremely stressful.
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Only interested in keeping me on their books
It’s almost like the system is designed to keep people on or just above poverty line.
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My study and work didn’t count
Providers are either in thrall to compliance or just go through the motions.
Employment services survey
The Punishment for Profit report is based on hundreds of responses to surveys conducted by the Antipoverty Centre. This research is ongoing. If you are in Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services or a similar program, we welcome any information you are able to share about your experiences.