Employment services review background
As part of its Social Inclusion Agenda, the Australian Government undertook to review employment services, including the Job Network and Disability Employment Network.
The review was guided by the following principles:
- Early intervention to minimise the number of long-term welfare dependent Australians of working age, starting with a review of the Job Seeker Classification Instrument;
- Providing services that are relevant to the circumstances and needs of the job seeker;
- Ensuring job seekers who are struggling the most get the most intensive assistance;
- Providing meaningful incentives for training which will improve the employability of job seekers;
- Ensuring there are means for job seekers who are in need of training to get that training;
- Providing the greatest rewards when Job Network providers find sustainable jobs for job seekers as fast as possible;
- Ensuring there is a performance management and tendering system that properly accounts for quality performance; and
- Minimising the amount of time and money spent on administration.
In January 2008, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation, wrote to employment services providers, employers, welfare organisations and other stakeholders, seeking their views on the future direction of employment services. The Minister asked stakeholders for suggestions on how to improve assistance to the unemployed. More than 260 submissions were received.
Through a range of meetings and further consultation, the Minister sought the views of employment services providers, employers and employer associations, Unions, State and Federal Parliamentarians and program participants. Job seeker satisfaction surveys, program evaluations and reports of the Auditor-General have also informed the review.
This process has informed the development of a new employment services system.
A discussion paper (PDF) (RTF) and initial fact sheet (PDF 549KB) identified a number of discussion points for the proposed employment services. This informed the Exposure Draft of Purchasing Arrangements for the new Employment Services 2009-12 that was released on Friday 1 August 2008. This has informed the detailed design of the new employment services, ahead of the request for tender and procurement process commencing later this year.
Responses to the Discussion Paper
More than 190 submissions responding to the release of the discussion paper have been recieved.
Consultations
Public consultations on the new approach to employment services commenced on 19 May 2008. Sessions were conducted around Australia. More information on the consultations, including a copy of the public PowerPoint presentation shown at the consultation sessions, can be found at: Discussion Papers and Consultation Sessions.
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
An overview of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy and the discussion paper explaining the strategy are available at: National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy. Submissions closed on June 30 2008.