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....
Tired of working hard and getting nowhere
Mutual obligations harming the homeless, disabled and First Nations’ the most
25 November 2021, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here. Those experiencing homelessness,…
63-year old forced to do 250km round trip to keep payments
17 July 2022, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here. Woman from Yorketown…
Media spotlight on employment services
Staff review: Thrown in the deep end
Employment Minister urged to stop rollout of new system
16 June 2022, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here. Survey of <span…
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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.