jobactive open for business across Australia

The Minister for Employment, Eric Abetz and the Assistant Minister for Employment, Luke Hartsuyker today welcomed the start of the Australian Government’s new $6.8 billion jobactive employment service across Australia.

The Ministers said that jobactive signalled a new era of more practical and effective support for job seekers and employers than was ever-achieved under Labor’s failed Job Services Australia system.

“The Australian Government is committed to building a strong and prosperous economy that creates jobs so that more people are sharing in the benefits of work,” Senator Abetz said.

“Since coming to Government almost 290,000 jobs have been created nationally.

“Today the Government is delivering on its plan to reform employment services so that job seekers receive the right sort of help that best improves their chances of finding a job.

“The new jobactive service represents a fundamental reform of existing arrangements and restores the focus on the quality of service and payment for results.

“A key feature is our new $1.2 billion wage subsidy pool which provides financial assistance to employers of between $6,500 and $10,000 when they take on an eligible job seeker.

“As a result of changes in the Budget, employers will be able to receive these wage subsidies sooner to help with the costs of hiring and training new staff and the payments can also be made on a fortnightly basis to help with cash flow.

“Our wage subsidies are helping to open more doors for job seekers, and making recruitment easier and more cost effective for business, especially small business,” Senator Abetz said.

Minister Hartsuyker said job seekers and employers would also benefit from the new Work Experience Programme and Work for the Dole arrangements.

“As I get around the country, job seekers are telling me that one of the reasons they can’t get a job is because of a lack of work experience,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

“At the same time, employers are telling me that recent work experience and evidence of a good work attitude is what they look for the most in a job candidate.

“As part of the new jobactive system, the Work Experience Programme and Work for the Dole programmes will be rolled out nationally to help job seekers develop the skills employers are looking for.

“These programmes allow job seekers to demonstrate to a potential employer that they are keen and willing to work.

“Community organisations also benefit from the additional resources provided through Work for the Dole which allows them to complete more projects and activities than would otherwise be the case."

Mr Hartsuyker said that the Government’s $330 million Youth Employment Strategy announced in the Budget would also help more young job seekers to develop the skills they need to move into work, dwarfing Labor’s paltry $21 million youth programme.

“The new jobactive system provides a stronger approach to preparing job seekers to meet the expectations of employers, and a more tailored service for employers to take the stress out of recruiting,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

Minister Abetz acknowledged the work of Minister Hartsuyker to drive forward these reforms and oversee the transition to the new model.

The Ministers commended all the jobactive providers and their staff who have worked tirelessly in recent months to ensure that the doors are open and services up and running from today.

“We look forward to working with all jobactive providers to help more job seekers into work and employers to find the right fit for their business,” Senator Abetz said.

Further information is available at www.employment.gov.au.