9 December: Disability Employment Services 2010-2012

Senator the Hon Mark Arbib has announced the results of the Disability Employment Services Request for Tender & Invitation to Treat.

10 November: Disability Employment Services Program B Invitation to Treat - Stage 2

This Invitation to Treat was released on 27 October 2009 and closed on Tuesday 10 November 2009.

6 November: Release of Small Area Labour Markets - March quarter 2009

Small Area Labour Markets for the March quarter 2009 was released on 6 November 2009. The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1400 Statistical Local Areas across Australia.

24 September: Invitation to Treat for New Disability Employment Services, Program B

The Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib has approved the process for the Invitation to Treat (ITT) for the new Disability Employment Services, Program B.

18 September: National Green Jobs Corps Request for Tender

The Parliamentary Secretary for Employment, the Hon Jason Clare MP has released the Request for Tender for the National Green Jobs Corps 2010-2011.

11 September: Disability Employment Network (DEN) star ratings released

DEN star ratings for performance to June 2009 are now available.

4 September: Information for DEN and VRS on the Labour Market Information Portal has been updated

The data may be useful to organisations who are considering tendering to deliver the new Disability Employment Services from March 2010.

2 September: Release of the Disability Employment Services Performance Framework Industry Reference Group - Report

The Disability Employment Services Performance Framework Industry Reference Group report has now been released.

An Industry Reference Group was established by the Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Mark Arbib MP, to provide advice on the performance management framework for the new Disability Employment Services (DES), commencing on 1 March 2010. The report has informed the Performance Framework as detailed in the Disability Employment Services 2010-2012 Request for Tender.

31 August: Vocational Rehabilitation Services Star Ratings

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) star ratings (PDF) (RTF) for the performance period July 2007 – 30 June 2009 are now available.

Reporting of the June 2009 ratings is part of existing Vocational Rehabilitation Services performance management arrangements.

Star ratings in the VRS service locator tool on the Australian JobSearch website will updated shortly.

9 July: Minister releases updated Implementation Guidelines

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, today released the updated version of the Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry, August 2009, (the Guidelines).

July: Job Services Australia

From 1 July 2009, the Australian Government has introduced a new approach to employment services - Job Services Australia. Representing an investment of more than $4 billion over the next three years, Job Services Australia is designed to meet the employment and recruitment requirements of both job seekers and employers. Job Services Australia replaces previous employment services such as Job Network, and will provide new opportunities for Australians to receive one-on-one assistance and tailored employment services.

2 July: Release of the Review of the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI)

DEEWR's report, Review of the Job Seeker Classification Instrument, has been released. The new version of the JSCI is explained in the report.

2 July: New Job Seeker Classification Instrument

A new version of the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI) has been implemented to coincide with the launch of Job Services Australia. The new JSCI provides a more balanced and reliable holistic assessment for all job seekers.

1 July: Announcement of IEP Tender results

The results of the Request for Tender for two panels for the Indigenous Employment Program 2009-2012 have been announced, with the Government investing more than $750 million dollars until 2012-13 to assist Indigenous job seekers and communities throughout Australia.

7 May: Social Inclusion Website Launch

The Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Senator Ursula Stephens, recently launched the new look Social Inclusion Website during a lunch attended by the members of the Australian Social Inclusion Board in Gawler, South Australia.

2 April: Announcement of Tender results

The Rudd Government is investing more than $4 billion over the next three years in new, more effective employment services.

1 April: Update - Request for Tender for Employment Services 2009-12

The national overview results of the new Job Services Australia contracts 2009-2012 have been released.

30 March: Update - Request for Tender for Employment Services 2009-12

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is now finalising the outcomes of the tender for Government’s Employment Services contracts 2009-2012.

27 March: Small Area Labour Markets for the December Quarter 2008 Released

The Small Area Labour Markets for the December quarter 2008 was released on 27 March 2009. The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia. It also provides estimates of the main labour market aggregates for the 19 DEEWR labour market regions.

27 March: Update - Request for Tender for Employment Services 2009-12

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is currently in the process of finalising the outcomes of the tender for Employment Services 2009-2012. 

19 March: Disability Employment Network (DEN) star ratings release

DEN star ratings for performance to December 2008 are now available.

16 March: Employment Services 2009-12

Preliminary advice on the Request for Tender for Employment Services 2009-12 was issued to preferred tenderers on 16 March 2009. Final tender results will be announced and all tenderers will be advised of the outcome.

RFT for Indigenous Employment Program

On Monday, 16 March 2009, the Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, announced the release of the Request for Tender for the Indigenous Employment Program.

11 March: Release of VRS star ratings

The Job Network Star Ratings have been released today.

4 March: Innovation Fund Panel announced

3 March: Job Network Star Ratings Release

The Job Network Star Ratings have been released today.

30 January: Upcoming DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment for February 2009

Release date: Wednesday 11 February 2009 at approximately 2.00pm.

Location: The DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment page on the Workplace website: www.workplace.gov.au/publications/LabourMarketAnalysis/LeadingIndicatorEmployment

22 December: Setting the Direction for the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy

On 22 December, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation, and the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, released a paper that sets the direction for the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

17 December: Small Area Labour Markets - September Quarter 2008

Small Area Labour Markets for the September quarter 2008 was released on 17 December 2008.

Latest (December 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR’s Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for the eleventh consecutive month in December.

25 November: Fair Work Bill introduced into Parliament

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, introduced the Fair Work Bill 2008 into the Australian Parliament on 25 November 2008.

5 November: Latest (November 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR’s Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for the tenth consecutive month in November. This monthly Indicator anticipates movements in the growth cycle of employment.

30 October: Australian Employment Covenant

The Australian Employment Covenant (AEC) is a national industry-led initiative that involves the placement and long term retention of 50,000 Indigenous people into 'Covenant Jobs' within a two year period.

24 October: Australian Regional Labour Markets - September Quarter 2008

Australian Regional Labour Markets for the September quarter 2008 was released at 11:30am today.  The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia.  It also provides estimates of the main labour market aggregates for the 19 DEEWR Labour Market Regions.

15 October: Latest (October 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR’s Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for the ninth consecutive month in October.

9 October: Discussion Paper Released

The Australian Government has announced that the Australian Building and Construction Commission will be retained until 31 January 2010. After which it will be replaced with a specialist building and construction division of the inspectorate of Fair Work Australia.

26 September: Request for Tender (RFT) for Employment Services 2009-12 release

The Minister for Employment Participation, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, has released the Request for Tender (RFT) for Employment Services 2009–12.

18 September: Disability Employment Network (DEN) star ratings released

The Disability Employment Network (DEN) star ratings for the period ending 30 June 2008 are now available.

17 September: Introducing Australia's new Workplace Relations System

In an address to the National Press Club on 17 September 2008, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP outlined key elements of the Government's workplace relations reforms.

12 September: Job Network Star Ratings Release

The Job Network Star Ratings have been released today.

10 September: Latest (September 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR’s Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for the eighth consecutive month in September.

5 September: Small Area Labour Markets - June Quarter 2008

Small Area Labour Markets for the June quarter 2008 was released at 11:30am today.  The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia.  It also provides estimates of the main labour market aggregates for the 19 DEEWR Labour Market Regions.

26 August: New Employment Services

The Australian Government announced it would be introducing new, simpler and more effective employment services nationally to commence on 1 July 2009. The new services will provide opportunities for job seekers to train in areas of skill shortage. There will also be a greater emphasis on helping employers find work ready job seekers.

You can view more details at the New Employment Services page.

6 August: Latest (August 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR's Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for seven consecutive months. This monthly Indicator anticipates movements in the growth cycle of employment. It does this through the use of a composite index of four weighted series (ANZ Newspaper Job Advertisements, Dun and Bradstreet Employment Expectation, the Westpac Melbourne Institute Leading Indicator of Economic Activity and the Consumer Sentiment Index) statistically ascertained to lead employment growth over the last two decades. The you can view the results for August on the DEEWR Leading Indicators page.

24 July: Terms of Reference ready for 'Wilcox Consultations'

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, The Hon Julia Gillard MP, released the final terms of reference for the Consultation on the Transition to Fair Work Australia for the Building and Construction Industry on 24 July 2008.

16 July: DEEWR Employment Services IT system consultation sessions

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has initiated an extensive consultative process involving Employment Service Providers to assist in developing a new Information Technology (IT) system that supports the new Employment Services policy requirements and also employment service providers.

14 July: Updated - Australian JobSearch website

DEEWR has released a new version of jobsearch.gov.au.

9 July: Latest (July 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR's Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for six consecutive months.

16 June: New National Employment Standards

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Julia Gillard released the new National Employment Standards, a key element in the Government’s plan for Australian workplace relations.

11 June: Latest (June 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

DEEWR’s Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment (Indicator) has fallen for five consecutive months, which is an unchanged pattern of results from that reported last month, owing to substantial data revisions to the Indicator’s component series.

6 June: Small Area Labour Markets for the March quarter 2008

The Small Area Labour Markets for the March quarter 2008 was released at 11:30am today. The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia. It also provides estimates of the main labour market aggregates for the 19 DEEWR Labour Market Regions.

28 May: Government Announces Consultation on Transition to Fair Work Australia for Building and Construction Industry

The Australian Government has announced an extensive consultation process with industry stakeholders to ensure the transition to a specialist building and construction division of Fair Work Australia will be orderly, effective and robust.

21 May: Government Post-Budget Submission to the AFPC

On 21 May 2008 the Government submitted a post-Budget submission to the Australian Fair Pay Commission’s 2008 Minimum Wage Review.

20 May: Increasing Indigenous economic opportunity – Notification of a discussion paper and consultations on the future of the CDEP and Indigenous Employment Programs

The Australian Government has released a discussion paper – Increasing Indigenous economic opportunity – A discussion paper on the future of the CDEP and Indigenous Employment Programs.

16 May: Notification of discussion papers and consulation sessions

The Australian Government has released a discussion paper and is conducting a series of public consultation sessions on the future of employment services in Australia.

12 May: National Families Week 2008

National Families Week 2008 will be held between 11-17 May.

Unique business and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians

A new, exciting opportunity for Indigenous Australians to become employed or start their own business using MARVIN software was launched on 7 May 2008 by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard MP.

2 May: Employment Extra review

The 2008 reader survey is now available.

18 April: Disability Employment Network (DEN) star ratings release

DEN star ratings for performance to December 2007 are now available.

16 April: Discussion Paper on the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy

The Hon Brendan O'Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation, and the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services, have released a discussion paper that calls for submissions to the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy.

9 April: Latest (April 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

The DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment is now available.

19 March: Transition to Forward with Fairness Bill 2008 passes the Australian Parliament

The Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008 passed the Australian Parliament on 19 March 2008.

Small Area Labour Markets December quarter 2007 release

The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia.

Minimum wage review 2008 - Australian Fair Pay Commission

The Rudd Labor Government has submitted a 2008 minimum wage review to the Australian Fair Pay Commission, supporting a measured increase in minimum wages.

12 March: Latest (March 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

The DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment is now available.

29 February: Job Network Star Ratings Release

The Job Network Star Ratings were released on 29 February 2008.

28 February: Last chance to submit to Comcare review

Friday, 29 February 2008 is the last day for lodging submissions to the Comcare Review. 

14 February: Call for public consultation on National Employment Standards

The Australian Government has released an exposure draft of its proposed ten National Employment Standards (NES), together with a discussion paper calling for public feedback.

13 February: Latest (February 2008) DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

The DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment is now available.

13 February: Transition to Forward with Fairness Bill introduced into Parliament

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, introduced the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Bill 2008 into the Australian Parliament on 13 February 2008.

24 January: Minister Releases Terms of Reference for Comcare Review

Following her announcement of a review of the Comcare scheme, the Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, yesterday released the terms of reference for the review.

16 January: Latest DEEWR Leading Indicator of Employment - January 2008

DEEWR's Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment is now available from the Leading Indicators page.

18 December: Small Area Labour Markets - September quarter 2007 release

The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia.

3 December: New Government sworn in

A new Government led by the Leader of the Australian Labor Party, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, was sworn in by the Governor-General on 3 December 2007.

Content on this website is currently being reviewed. Any questions relating to archived content can be directed to the Web Content Manager through the Feedback facility on this site.

25 November: ALP wins election

The Australian Labor Party has won the federal election and will form the next government of Australia.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will continue to operate within caretaker conventions until the new government is officially appointed and sworn in by the Governor-General. This process may take a few more days to complete. View additional information on the Caretaker Period

17 October: Caretaker Period

On Sunday 14 October 2007 the Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon John Howard MP, announced that a federal election would be held on Saturday 24 November 2007 and as such the Government has assumed a caretaker role. Only minor updates will occur to this website until the result of the election has been determined. View additional information on the Caretaker Period.

10 October: DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment for October 2007

This new technical DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment, published monthly, anticipates movements in the growth rate of employment about 12 months in advance.

28 September: Small Area Labour Markets for June quarter 2007

Small Area Labour Markets for the June quarter 2007 was released on 28 September 2007. The publication presents estimates of the number of unemployed persons and unemployment rates for approximately 1350 Statistical Local Areas across Australia. It also provides estimates of the main labour market aggregates for the 19 DEWR labour market regions.

21 September: New issue of Employment Extra now available

Published bi-monthly, Employment Extra is Australia's premier employment magazine for Providers of Australian Government Employment Services.

13 September: Building Stronger Families - The Benefits of Moving from Welfare to Work

This information paper assembles a range of information sources that explains the financial and psychological benefits of finding paid employment.

11 September: Workplace safety made a national priority with launch of Safe Work Australia Week 2007

Safe Work Australia Week is a national week held from 21 to 27 October, encouraging all working Australians to focus on safety in their workplace to reduce death, injury and disease. More information is available from the ASCC website.

5 September: APEC Public Holiday Sydney only - Friday 7 September 2007

Public holiday entitlements apply for all employees who work in the designated local council areas of Sydney as a result of the APEC legislation.

5 September: DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment for September 2007

This new technical DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment, published monthly, anticipates movements in the growth rate of employment about 12 months in advance.

5 September: Employer Demand Demonstration Project - Small Grant Funding for PAGES

Applications for Employer Demand Demonstration Project - Small Grant Funding for PAGES are now closed. Proposals are now being assessed and applicants will be advised shortly of the outcomes.

31 August: Code Assessment Online

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has a new online assessment tool to help in the lodgement of industrial instruments for assessment against the Australian Government Implementation Guidelines for the National Code of Practice for the Construction Industry (the Code and Guidelines).

13 August: The Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Awards

The Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Awards for 2007 were presented at a gala event, held at the Great Hall, Parliament House on Thursday 9 August 2007.

8 August: DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment for August 2007

This new technical DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment, published monthly, anticipates movements in the growth rate of employment about 12 months in advance.

8 August: APEC Public Holiday Bill 2007

The APEC Public Holiday Bill 2007 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 8 August 2007.

24 July: Protections for employees under 18

The workplace relations system has protections for younger workers entering the workforce for the first time or making a workplace agreement with their employer.

23 July: Jobs and training for Indigenous people in the NT

The Hon Mal Brough MP, Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Hon Joe Hockey MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, today announced a further key step in the Emergency Response being implemented in the Northern Territory.

13 July: Small Area Labour Markets for the March quarter 2007 was released on 13 July 2007.

11 July: DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment

This new technical DEWR Monthly Leading Indicator of Employment, published monthly, anticipates movements in the growth rate of employment about 12 months in advance.

4 July: Published bi-monthly, Employment Extra is Australia's premier employment magazine for Providers of Australian Government Employment Services.

4 July: Workplace Relations Fact Sheet

The Workplace Authority has published a Workplace Relations Fact Sheet.

4 July: New safety net for employees

A second phase of advertising has begun, to inform employees and employers about the changes to the workplace relations system.

3 July: Indigenous employment services reforms introduced

Changes to the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) programme, which took effect on Sunday 1 July, are already leading to reduced levels of welfare dependency.

3 July: New Workplace Ombudsman and Workplace Authority

Two new statutory authorities open for business on 1 July, beginning a new era in workplace relations.

22 June: Stronger safety net legislation passed by Parliament

The Workplace Relations Amendment (A Stronger Safety Net) Bill 2007 was passed by Parliament on 20 June 2007.

19 June: Need Staff? Call the Employer Hotline

On 13 June 2007, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, announced the launch of the third phase of the Australian Government’s Welfare to Work advertising campaign. This final phase of the campaign targets employers who are struggling to fill vacancies because of a record low unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent.

13 June: DEWR Leading Indicator of Employment

The June 2007 DEWR Leading Indicator of Employment data is now available.

29 May: Safety Net Bill introduced into Parliament

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, has introduced the Workplace Relations Amendment (A Stronger Safety Net) Bill 2007 into the House of Representatives.

14 February: Article in The Bulletin regarding WorkDirections

In the Bulletin dated 20 February 2007 (published 14 February) an article concerning WorkDirections suggests an apparent unauthorised and unlawful disclosure of Commonwealth information.