Report of the Inquiry into the appropriateness and effectiveness of the objectives, design, implementation and evaluation of the Australian public employment service, jobactive.

Terms of reference

The appropriateness and effectiveness of the objectives, design, implementation and evaluation of jobactive, with specific reference to:

(a) the nature and underlying causes of joblessness in Australia;
(b) the methods by which Australians gain employment and their relative effectiveness;
(c) the extent of consultation and engagement with unemployed workers in the design and implementation of jobactive;
(d) the ability of jobactive to provide long-term solutions to joblessness, and to achieve social, economic and cultural outcomes that meet the needs and aspirations of unemployed workers;
(e) the fairness of mutual obligation requirements, the jobactive Job Plan negotiation process and expenditure of the Employment Fund;
(f) the adequacy and appropriateness of activities undertaken within the Annual Activity Requirement phase, including Work for the Dole, training, studying and volunteering programs and their effect on employment outcomes;
(g) the impacts and consequences of the job seeker compliance framework;
(h) the appeals process, including the lack of an employment services ombudsman;
(i) the funding of jobactive, including the adequacy of the ‘outcome driven’ funding model, and the adequacy of this funding model to address barriers to employment;
(j) alternative approaches to addressing joblessness; and
(k) any other related matters.

Structure of this report

• Chapter 1 contains the introduction.
• Chapter 2 sets out a selection of jobactive participant voices in an attempt to convey the significant challenges and experiences of participants. These voices highlight the profound impact of government policies on the lives of participants and the need for appropriate and effective employment services.
• Chapter 3 provides background information on Australia's labour market and a brief overview of the government's employment services policies and programs.
• Chapter 4 examines the assessment and streaming process for participants.
• Chapter 5 examines the services and supports available to participants.
• Chapter 6 examines issues related specifically to employment services consultants, including their capacity to engage with employers.
• Chapter 7 examines the mutual obligation requirements for participants, including requirements to apply for jobs and attend appointments with their jobactive provider.
• Chapter 8 considers the compliance framework, which determines the penalties applied to participants if they fail to meet their mutual obligations.
• Chapter 9 considers the appropriateness of the complaints and appeals processes for participants.
• Chapter 10 turns to matters relating to outcome-based funding arrangements for jobactive providers.