Jobactive support services are available to people who need help finding employment. These services are part of Centrelink’s mutual obligation requirements, and are intended to help job seekers increase their employment chances. Currently, jobactive offers three service streams to assist job seekers. Depending on their situation, job seekers are allocated to one of the three streams based on their Job Seeker Classification Instrument.
Jobseekers
Jobactive is a comprehensive program of services designed to help job seekers find and keep a job. These services are part of Centrelink and are intended to help job seekers meet their mutual obligation to apply for jobs, study, train or gain employment. The services are offered at three levels and are allocated to people based on their Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI).
The system is designed to reward providers who successfully place clients in jobs. Since the start of the scheme, over 1.4 million people have benefited from the service. The program is intended to encourage job-seekers to develop new skills and develop digital literacy, as well as enhance their current job-seeking skills.
Want to find the best way to gain experience, skills, and exposure? You can by starting an apprenticeship.
Employers
The level of employer engagement in publicly funded employment services is generally low. Employers see these services as a ‘last resort’ and often have negative attitudes towards the long-term unemployed and their lack of motivation. In contrast, job seekers have a negative perception of these services, and they find it difficult to engage with the system due to the stigma attached to it.
The Employment Support Service is a government initiative to help individuals with a disability and those who need ongoing support to find and keep a job. These services are free and are offered through a network of jobactive providers in over 1700 locations. The service providers work with employers to provide a range of tailored recruitment services at no cost to both the job seeker and employer.
Compliance framework
The compliance framework for Jobactive support services outlines key elements and expectations for services. It outlines the process for suspending payments and assessing compliance. In addition, it identifies actions to take when a service provider fails to meet a compliance obligation. This framework was introduced to replace the Job Seeker Compliance Framework, which required providers to report attendance based on discretion.
Jobactive providers must record and maintain records of appointments. They must also maintain records of notifications issued to job seekers to ensure that the participant is aware of the requirements of the service. This is a key part of the Mutual Obligation Requirement.
Costs
The Australian Government’s employment service jobactive provides support to connect job seekers with employers. The service is delivered through a network of jobactive providers in over 1700 locations across the country. These providers can tailor services to the individual needs of job seekers and employers. Currently, over 720,000 job seekers are supported by jobactive, with over ten percent of these individuals being Indigenous Australians.
The Jobactive model is designed to encourage participants to actively look for work and remain engaged in the labour market. Each participant has a “job plan” that specifies what education, skills training, and activities are needed to improve employability.
Gendered impacts
The government’s recent announcement to increase funding for Jobactive support services is a good start. However, it should not forget to consider the gendered impacts of the new policies. According to research, women in Victorian employment have lost the most jobs. Their unemployment rate is higher than men’s, and jobactive services will be essential for women who are unemployed.
There are a number of ways that these services can help women achieve economic security. For example, career counselling is essential for older women with less recent work experience. Jobactive support services are also needed for women who have recently left the labor force.