9 June 2022, Evan Young and Norman Hermant, ABC News. Access the full article here.
Fear and confusion from jobseekers as ‘dramatic’ changes to Centrelink mutual obligations loom
Welfare advocates say there is very little awareness about how the new system will work.
At the start of July, jobactive — the Australian government’s main employment services program — will be replaced by a new service called Workforce Australia, immediately impacting around 792,000 people.
The aim of jobactive was to help people on Centrelink payments apply for jobs or undertake further training, but it was criticised as “punitive” by welfare groups.
A Senate committee in 2019 found it was “not fit for purpose”.
Despite Workforce Australia launching in less than a month, Ms Grant said she is living in “limbo”.
I have been to my job agency but they don’t know anything about it.
– Cherie Grant
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.