This paper briefly examines the development of the Job Network and evaluations of this system to determine the Job Network's capacity to cater to the needs of difficult-to-place job seekers and the long-term unemployed, and how this capacity might be improved.

Australia has enjoyed strong economic growth for over 16 years and the nation’s unemployment rate is at its lowest level in around 30 years. In this context of strong labour market conditions and a buoyant economy, job seekers with minimal barriers to employment tend to find work readily, with little or no assistance from Australia’s main employment service provider, the Job Network. Increasingly, then, the Job Network is being asked to meet the needs of difficult-to-place job seekers and the long-term unemployed.

This research paper briefly examines the development of the Job Network and evaluations of this system to determine the Job Network’s capacity to cater to the needs of difficult-to-place job seekers and the long-term unemployed, and how this capacity might be improved.