15 July 2022, Guardian Australia, Luke Henriques-Gomes. Access the full article here.
Another says experience of new points-based system has been ‘humiliating and degrading’
A man living in regional Victoria has been told to attend job agency appointments more than 60km away under the federal government’s new $1.5bn-a-year Workforce Australia program.
And another jobseeker, who has lived with a mental health condition, said he felt “degraded” by his first experience at his new job agency, after his mutual obligationsParticipation requirements welfare recipients must fulfil each month to continue... requirements were increased under the new “point-based activation system” (Pbas).
Advocates have been critical of the rollout and design of Workforce Australia, which includes the contentious “points-based” mutual obligations system aimed at giving jobseekers more flexibility and an online portal that faced technical issues in its first week.
I neither drive nor have my own transport,” he said. “They [buses] only come through here once in a blue moon and then it takes way longer to get to there by bus.
– Joel Ribergaard, who was forced to travel 60km to attend bullshit appointment
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.