Rebuilding Employment Services

REPORT - November 2023

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Contents

Foreword

Membership of the Committee

Terms of reference

List of recommendations

Chapter 1 - Genesis and context for this inquiry

Overview of the employment services system
Core elements of Workforce Australia
Unemployment and underemployment
Interaction with the income support system
Report structure
Notes on terminology
Acknowledgements

Chapter 2 - Critique and analysis of the current Australian system

A fragmented service ecosystem
Service delivery and outcomes for jobseekers
Service delivery and outcomes for employers
System design
Limited government involvement
Welfare conditionality and activation
Committee comment

Chapter 3 - Jurisdictional scan

State and territory government programs
International programs

Chapter 4 - Foundation principles for a future Australian system

Core objectives to underpin services
A national, coordinated employment service system
A stronger role for Government
Committee comment

Chapter 5 - Supporting jobseekers and employers

Profiling of jobseekers
Continuum of services
Supporting particular cohorts
Eligibility for employment services
Services that respond to employers needs
Committee comment

Chapter 6 - Workforce and service capability

The employment services workforce
Frontline staff turnover
Qualifications, skills, and professional development
Committee comment

Chapter 7 - Regulation, accreditation and oversight

Contracting and operating framework
The role and functions of an independent regulator
Committee comment

Chapter 8 - Innovation, continuous learning, experimentation, research and evaluation

Access to data
Evaluation and research
Innovation and experimentation
Committee comment

Chapter 9 - Gateway to services

Initial contact and onboarding
Jobseeker assessments
Referral process
Transfers and handovers once in assistance
Recognising disability and illnesses
Committee comment

Chapter 10 - Service provision and program design: Digital or hybrid services

Capacity to use online tools and digital protections
Online employment assistance for jobseekers
Online engagement with employers
Committee comment

Chapter 11 - Service provision and program design: For jobseekers

Pathway planning
The Employment Fund
In-house services and related entities
Committee comment

Chapter 12 - Service provision and program design: For employers

Access to quality jobseekers
Provider engagement with employers
Streamlining recruitment and talent acquisition
Committee comment

Chapter 13 - Active labour market and complementary programs

Active Labour Market Programs
Existing complementary and related programs
The role of paid work experience
Community and voluntary work
Wage subsidies and financial incentives
The role of social enterprise
Committee comments

Chapter 14 - Mutual obligation, activation, compliance and enforcement

Mutual obligations
The Points Based Activation System
Activation and mandatory activity requirements
The Targeted Compliance Framework
Committee comment

Chapter 15 - Commissioning, funding and regulatory culture

Market structure
Funding arrangements
Performance management
Committee comment

Chapter 16 - Implementation and transition arrangements

Leadership, engagement, and co-design
Implementation of reforms

Dissenting Report - Mr Aaron Violi MP

Abbreviations

A. Conduct of the inquiry

Additional Documents

Other meetings and site visits

D. International delegation

Parliamentary inquiries
Other relevant inquiries and reports
Productivity Commission inquiries and research
Auditor-General audits

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