Submission to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations on Employment Services Reform

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RE: Shaping the future of employment services

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council (the Society) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ (DEWR), Shaping the future of employment services (Discussion Paper).

Every year the Society assist thousands of individuals and families in need of help, many of whom are unemployed or underemployed. We recognise how important it is for people to have a secure roof over their heads before they can begin the process of reaching their full potential. This includes being able to look after their own health, and often care for others, while committing to being job ready. We maintain that for those who are unable to obtain work, it is imperative that the base rate of the JobSeeker payment is lifted to 90 per cent of the Age Pension, as recommended by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, so that people are not left destitute while looking for work.

The Society supports reforms including establishing Employment Services Australia, independent quality oversight, and reducing automated suspensions. Concerns include market-based contracting hindering collaboration, structural job mismatches, and underfunded intensive support. Emphasis is on community-led services, workforce standards, tailored mutual obligations, and a national wage subsidy scheme to address long-term unemployment and systemic barriers.