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Mutual Obligation/Work for the DoleE-Brief: Online Only issued 27 November 2000, updated 15 June 2004Peter Yeend, Analysis and
Policy
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More information about the participation requirements for these activities can be found at the Mutual Obligation Centrelink web site.
One of the main planks or features of the government's emphasis on welfare assistance having Mutual Obligation elements has been the WfD program. WfD is a Government funded program that provides work experience opportunities and activities for eligible job seekers. WfD involves local communities in activities that provide work experience for the unemployed, designed to help the unemployed re-attach to the labour market. WfD is also designed to provide communities with quality projects/ activities, which are of value to those communities. WfD projects are designed to not cross over or to take jobs away from existing full-time or part-time workers.
Participants are expected to undertake their work experience in one or more WfD projects/activities for a period of six months. WfD participation is an approved activity for Mutual Obligation.
WfD Projects can cover a wide range of activities in such areas as:
Jobseekers can be asked or can volunteer for WfD if they are a:
In addition, jobseekers who are 18 years old or more and receiving the full rate of Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance may volunteer to participate in WfD.
More information about WfD can be found at the Australian Workplace website.
| Opposition tables WfD proposal 1 April 1987 |
Mr Neil A Brown, MP – then Deputy Leader of the Opposition, submits a proposal to discuss 'Work for unemployment benefits' as a matter of public importance before the House of Representatives. The coalition parties commit themselves when in government to introducing a scheme of compulsory work for the dole. (House Hansard, 1 April 1987 Discussion of Matter of Public Importance – Compulsory Work for Unemployment Benefits, pg. 1876). |
| Opposition Leader announces WfD principle
13 December 1988 |
The Hon. John Howard, MP – then Leader of the Opposition, announces that the next Liberal and National Party Government will establish a "Community Service Scheme". The scheme is to "provide a real and genuine benefit to the unemployed through work experience and training; satisfy general community desire to see the unemployed have the benefits of active work; reduce abuses in the payment of unemployed benefits and encourage the voluntarily unemployed to secure genuine employment." Media Release No.L109/88 – 'Working for Australia: An Active Approach to Unemployment'. |
| WfD Legislation introduced to Parliament
19 March 1997 |
Federal Minister for Schools, Vocational Education and Training, The Hon. Dr David Kemp, MP - introduces the legislative framework for WfD to Parliament. Media release No. K10/97 - Work for the Dole Legislation. |
| WfD Pilot announced 13 May 1997 |
A 12-month WfD pilot scheduled to commence from September 1997. The pilot is funded at $21.6 million and will enable 10,000 participants, between the ages of 18 and 24, who have been unemployed for at least six months, to take part in the pilot. Media release No. K24/97 – Work for the Dole Initiative. |
| WfD Pilot commences 3 December 1997 |
A total of 22 WfD projects commenced by 3 December 1997 with more than 300 participants. Media release No. K82/97 – Work for the Dole Starts Today. |
| Enhanced Mutual Obligation Requirements
28 January 1998 |
Enhanced Mutual Obligation arrangements announced for 18 to 24 year olds. From 1 July 1998 all young unemployed people who have been receiving unemployment payments for six months will be required to undertake an additional activity in return for receiving payments. Media release No. K4/98 – Unemployed young people to take responsibility for their own future. |
| WfD Pilot expanded 14 April 1998 |
New WfD projects announced to start between August 1998 and February 1999. These projects are expected to involve 25,500 participants. Media release No. K23/98 – New Work for the Dole Projects. |
| Formal Mutual Obligation requirements
announced 12 May 1998 |
The Government announces it will spend
$465.5 million over the coming four years to assist young unemployed
people find work. Key elements of the package are:
Media release No. K36/98 - $465.5 million to assist youth to find jobs. |
| New Mutual Obligation requirements start
1 July 1998 |
All 18-24 year olds who have been unemployed for six months or more must participate in an additional approved activity in order to receive full unemployment benefit. Media release No. K52/98 – New Mutual Obligation Requirements Start Today. |
| 301 new WfD projects 26 July 1998 |
WfD pilot expanded with the announcements of 301 new WfD projects and project conditions. Media release No. K57/98 – 301 New Work for the Dole Projects |
| Second round of WfD projects announced
18 December 1998 |
The Government provides an extra $20 million to fund more than 388 new WfD projects. The new projects will provide 13,000 places. 80% of will be for those aged 18-24 years, the remainder of places will be available for older unemployed people. An additional $100 million over four years announced to fund WfD places for Year 12 school-leavers. Media release - $20 million for 13,000 new Work for the Dole Places. |
| Government compare WfD with 'Working
Nation' 17 February 1999 |
Comparison of cost of WfD program for employment outcomes against Working Nation. Media release – Work for the Dole working for the unemployed. |
| Third round of WfD programme launched
24 March 1999 |
New WfD projects to start between August 1999 and February 2000 expected to create an additional 15,000 places. Media release – New Work for the Dole Projects. |
| WfD expanded to include Year 12 school-leavers
19 April 1999 |
Expansion of access to WfD for Year 12 school-leavers who have been unemployed for three months or more. Media release – Work for the Dole Expanded to include Year 12 school-leavers. |
| WfD Evaluation Report released 26 May 1999 |
An evaluation of the WfD pilot program prepared by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business released 26 May 2000. Media release – Work for the Dole: It's working for Australia. The evaluation report is available, see - Evaluation of the Work for the Dole Pilot Program. |
| Administration of WfD projects to be
tendered to Community Work Coordinators 11 June 1999 |
WfD program expansion enhanced by the introduction of community based work coordinators. |
| Third round of WfD projects 13 July 1999 |
Government commits $32 million for nearly 700 new WfD projects. This will create nearly 20,000 places over the coming six months. Media release - $32 million for 20,000 new Work for the Dole places. |
| Minister Abbott spells out aims and
objectives of WfD 5 August 1999 |
Minister Abbott explains why WfD is good economic policy. Media release - Abbott Tells Ceda Why Work For The Dole Is Key Component Of Good Economic Policy. |
| Government announces major Social Policy
Reform agenda 29 September 1999 |
Minister Newman announces that social policy is the next major reform priority of the Government, this includes a stronger framework of mutual obligation. |
| WfD 2000 launched 17 December 1999 |
119 organisations given conditional offers of business under the WfD 2000 tender. The Government commits nearly $139 million to create additional 65,000 places in WfD projects. Media release - $139 Million For 65,000 Places Under Work For The Dole 2000. |
| Mutual Obligation requirements modified
to encourage Olympic work 23 February 2000 |
Media release No. 00/12 - Sydney Jobs In 2000. |
| Preparing for Work Agreements 2 March 2000 |
The Government launches Preparing for Work Agreements as an important part of its Mutual Obligation strategy. Media Release - Getting Job Seekers Back To Work. |
| 430 new WfD projects 16 May 2000 |
The third round of WfD 2000 projects announced, creating another 6,069 places for eligible job seekers. Media release 00/33 - 430 New Work For The Dole 2000 Projects. |
| 238 new WfD projects 15 June 2000 |
The fourth round of WfD 2000 projects announced, creating another 3,833 places for eligible job seekers. Media release - 238 New Work For The Dole Projects. |
| 240 new WfD projects 12 July 2000 |
The fifth round of WfD 2000 projects announced, creating another 4,005 places for eligible job seekers. Media release - 240 New Work For The Dole 2000 Projects. |
| Olympic Employment Initiative 14 July 2000 |
Government extends Mutual Obligation to job seekers in Sydney who have been unemployed for three months or more. Media release - Extra Assistance To Jobseekers In Sydney. |
| Study confirms success of WfD 26 July 2000 |
Evaluation of WfD by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business claims that the WfD program has a positive impact on gaining employment or entering education or training. Media release - Study Confirms Success Of Work For The Dole. |
| WfD Net Impact Study released
August 2000 |
Study of WfD by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business claims that the WfD program participants have a significantly enhanced result in terms of accessing employment, education or training. See - Work For the Dole: a Net Impact Study. |
WfD expanded to include participants aged to 39 years December 2000 |
Government expands Mutual Obligation from July 1, 2002, introducing WfD for unemployed people aged 35-39 and making involvement optional for job seekers aged 40-49 years. Media release - Government to Expand Work For The Dole. |
ANAO releases report on management of WfD 7 March 2001 |
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) releases report - Management of the Work for the Dole Program. The report found that administration of the Programme had been generally efficient and effective but made recommendations regarding the Community Work Coordinators Administrative model and contract monitoring. |
Over 5000 WfD projects approved since 1997 21 June 2001 |
Since the pilot round in 1997, 5 714 WfD projects have been approved, providing places for nearly 130 000 Australians. Media release - Thousands more Work for the Dole opportunities. |
National total for WfD projects reaches 8544 1 April 2002
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The national total of WfD projects reaches 8544 and nearly 172 000 places. Media release - Work for the Dole passes 1500 project mark in Queensland. |
Government introduces Training Credits 1 July 2002 |
Work for the Dole placement will qualify job seekers for Training Credits of up to $800. Media release - Work for the Dole Passes 9000 Projects. |
UNSW Study on WfD published 2003 |
The Centre for Applied Economic Research at the University of New South Wales publishes study: Work for the Dole - Obligation or Opportunity. The study found that WfD does help participants find jobs; Departmental guidelines reduce felxibility and autonomy; and the program is underfunded. Parliamentary Library Cat No. 331.137994NEV |
15 535 WfD approved across Australia since 1997 11 December 2003 |
Since 1997, 15 535 projects across Australia have offered 261 929 opportunities for unemployed Australians. Media release - New and Varied Work for the Dole opportunities. |
Independent Study evaluates WfD December 2003 |
The study, Work for the Dole - A pathway to self-esteem and employment commitment, or the road to frustration?, carried out by independent researchers from the University of South Australia and the University of Melbourne finds that the WfD program fails the most disadvantaged jobseekers. |
17 538 WfD projects approved across Australia since 1997 26 May 2004 |
Since 1997, 17 538 projects across Australia have offered 285 639 opportunities for unemployed Australians. Media release - Work for the Dole Working for the Nation. |
| WfD does not create jobs 13 May 1998 |
Democrat position on WfD is that it does not create jobs. Media release 98/296 - Where are the Jobs? |
| Democrats demand WfD guarantee from
Government 17 December 1999 |
Democrats call for the government not to reduce mutual obligation waiting periods. Democrats claim that forcing job seekers straight into mutual obligation and WfD activities decreases their opportunity to seek work and does not give job seekers the opportunity to seek work independently. Media release No. 0713nsd - Democrats demand Work for the Dole guarantee from Scrooge Government. |
| WfD marginalises the most disadvantaged
job seekers 17 December 1999 |
Democrats criticise Mutual Obligation and
WfD. The criticisms are:
Media release No. 0712ab - Work for the Dole, anti-welfare, anti-worker: Another peek at Howard's welfare 'reform' agenda |
| WfD forces the unemployed through the
motions of work 12 May 1999 |
Media release - Work for the Dole extension a cruel hoax on jobseekers. |
More funding for intensive assistance not WfD 7 August 2000 |
Democrats criticise the government for reducing the Intensive Assistance program by $80 000 to be used to expand the WfD program. Media release No. 00469 Job Network Reform: fund Intensive Assistance, not Work for the Dole. |
| WfD doesn't measure up to Labor Jobstart
Wage Subsidy Program 12 April 1999 |
Criticism that the government is diverting funding away from unemployment issues. Media release - Enough Bluff - What About Jobs? |
| Labor would modify WfD 25 July 1999 |
Mr Martin Ferguson, MP, then shadow Minister for Employment, Training and Population, stated that the ALP would change WfD so that there is a stronger focus on training and work skills. Meet the Press' transcript. |
| Mutual obligation is a one way street.
WfD is not the answer 17 December 1999 |
Mr Wayne Swan, MP, shadow minister for Family and Community Services, is critical of Governments welfare strategy. Media release - The Great Welfare Charade. |
| Government not capable of striking balance
between incentive and compulsion 17 December 1999 |
Doorstop interview with the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Kim Beazley, MP about WfD and mutual obligation. |
| OECD says WfD fails to provide the real
work experience that employers are looking for 21 December 1999 |
Media Release - OECD Says Regional Australia Deserves Better Than Work For The Dole. |
| Labor would change WfD 10 July 2000 |
Ms Cheryl Kernot, MP - ALP spokesperson for employment, stated that Labor would not scrap WfD, if elected, however they would modify WfD in order to provide young people with more meaningful outcomes. See Radio National transcript - Job Network, Work For The Dole. |
| Mutual Obligation is a cost saving measure
26 July 2000 |
Mutual obligation isn't about helping people find jobs, it's a way to contain the welfare cost blowout. Media release - So Far, Abbott's Way Is More About Punishment Than Partnerships. |
Old Labor scheme reintroduced 14 May 2001 |
Labor says allowing WfD participant's access to training under the new 'transition banks' scheme is a renaming of Labor's 'Earning Credit Scheme' which was abolished in 1997. Media release - Training Reversal for Work for the Dole. |
Labor releases WfD figures 6 March 2004 |
Labor figures show that WfD program achieved consistently poor employment outcomes for jobseekers. Media release - "Work for the Dole" helps fewer and fewer into a job. |
| The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) | ACOSS has expressed some views about the
WfD program:
"Work for the Dole is a deeply limited program that is not even designed to improve the employment prospects of unemployed people." Other ACOSS comments have been:
For more information see ACOSS briefing paper. New paternalism: the demise of rights-based welfare, an article by Dr Deborah Brennan in the ACOSS monthly IMPACT – July 2000, page 8 (S361.994 AUS). "The government's policy of Mutual Obligation is an example of a new conservative approach to social policy. This approach potentially marks the demise of a rights-based welfare system." |
| Brotherhood of St Lawrence
28 January 1998 |
Bishop Michael Challen, Executive Director,
Brotherhood of St Laurence made some comments about WfD in its response
to the Prime Minister's proposals for young unemployed people in his
First Annual Federation Address – Jan 1998. Media release - Response
to the Prime Minister's proposals for young unemployed people in his
First Annual Federation Address.
Challen provided further comment on WfD in a media release on 24/7/1997 - Compulsory 'Work For The Dole' Scheme Will Generate Resentment Among The Young. Brotherhood of St Lawrence Submission to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee 14 April 1997 argued that the resurfacing of WfD policy is disturbing for three reasons:
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| Australian Youth Policy and Action Coalition (AYPAC) | AYPAC set out some views on WfD in a Policy
Statement and also in a Supplemental Submission to the Senate Community
Affairs Committee. The AYPAC stated view on WfD is:
"a response to declining youth labour market that should include a compulsion that young people participate in programs that force them to perform work for continued receipt of income support should be rejected" AYPAC further claimed WfD programs do not provide a solution to the central problem, ie. a lack of real sustainable jobs that will provide an independent living income. Also, WfD does not solve youth unemployment, rather it forces young people to perform work no one else wants to do for below poverty line income. |
| NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) | NCOSS expressed views on Mutual Obligation in a Media release - Make a genuine future, not a living hell for Young People, on 29 January 1999. The NCOSS view was that the Government's notion of mutual obligation, particularly with young people, is more about punishment of those who are the victims of the last decade of economic reform in Australia, rather than reciprocal partnership with the Australian community. |
| Community attitudes towards unemployment,
activity testing and mutual obligation Tony Eardley, Peter Saunders & Ceri Evans, 2000. |
A discussion paper containing the results of a community survey was produced by the University of New South Wales Social Policy Research Centre (No. 107, May 2000) - Community attitudes towards unemployment, activity testing and mutual obligation. |
| Socialist Equality Party | WfD has nothing to do with creating jobs, or maintaining the morale of the unemployed, but is bound up with the provision of cheap labour, and the further erosion of wages and conditions. Media release - The real meaning of work-for-the-dole - March 21 – April 4 1997. |
| Working for the dole: Making young people
responsible OR blaming the victims Bronwyn Pike - Evatt Victoria Centre, 1997. (331.137994 p WOR) |
Bronwyn Pike puts her view in this article that WfD places unfair pressure on the unemployed as it tells them 'you owe us'. She also argues that WfD may provide a pool of free labour and replace existing jobs. |
| Helping the poor: A qualified case for
'Workfare' John Richards et al, C. D. Howe Institute, 1995. (362.580971 HEL) |
"Canadian governments are spending a lot of money on welfare, with dubious results". This book looks at current welfare programs and assesses their effectiveness. The book compares Canada's policies to those in the USA and includes a chapter about 'Putting the poor to work: Why workfare is an idea whose time has come'. |
| Workfare: Does it work? Is it fair?
Patricia Evans et al, Institute for Research on Public Policy - Canada, 1995. (362.582 WOR) |
The notion of linking welfare payments to participation in public work or training programs is at the forefront of debate in Canada, the USA and Europe. This book explores the moral principles and politics of workfare, and looks closely at the Canadian debate. |
| Employment and Training Schemes for
the Unemployed Julia Lourie, Business and Transport Section, House of Commons Library, 1997. (ANAL S 909.09 RES) |
This research paper provides an account of the main employment and training schemes that exist in Britain in 1997/98. It also contains brief notes on schemes that have been tried since WWII. |
| Actively seeking work? Desmond King, The politics of welfare and unemployment policy in the United States and the Great Britain, University of Chicago Press, 1995. (331.137941 KIN) |
This book called - Actively seeking work? provides an analysis of the programs of unemployment and workfare in Britain and the USA, and explains their politics. |
| Diagnosis is a bitter pill for community
Dr Bettina Cass, the Australian newspaper. 18 August 2000 |
Dr Bettina Cass wrote in the Australian
on 18 August 2000 about mutual obligation issues arising from the
Welfare Review considerations of welfare reform.
"welfare reform will focus on 'social partnerships', but a large number of the most disadvantaged may find themselves sitting in the most troublesome and problematic position in these partnerships." |
| The Australia Institute
Working Australians should be grateful to the unemployed: new report 14 August 2000 |
The Australia Institute issued a media release on 14 August 2000 - Working Australians should be grateful to the unemployed: new report, which referred to a research paper by Dr Pamela Kinnear that the Howard government's mutual obligation principle does not stand up to ethical scrutiny. |
| Mutual obligation: what kind of contract
is this? Anna Yeatman Australian Institute of Family Studies, Peter Saunders 2000. (R 361.680994 Ref) |
In a book called 'Reforming the Welfare
State presented by Peter Saunders, Chapter 7 by Anna Yeatman is
called 'Mutual obligation: what kind of contract is this?'
and discusses:
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| Mutual obligation: policy and practice
in Australia compared with the UK Richard Curtain for the Dusseldorp Skills Forum. 20 July 2000 |
Discussion paper presented by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum presenting an assessment of how the concept of mutual obligation is implemented in Australia compared with the United Kingdom - Mutual obligation: policy and practice in Australia compared with the UK. |
| Social welfare and individual responsibility
- for and against David Schmidtz and Robert E Goodin, Cambridge University Press, 1998. (361.610973 SCH) |
This book is a very broad ranging discussion across social welfare issues discussing responsibilities of the State and the individual, and touching on issues such as morality of incentives and deterrence, concepts of welfare justice and can you apportion fault to welfare recipients. |
For copyright reasons some linked items are only available to Members of Parliament.
