The Australian Government is reforming mainstream employment services to better meet the needs of individuals, employers, communities and the economy. This paper outlines a vision and framework for the future employment services system based on extensive community feedback. The Government invites feedback on particular aspects of the design of a new employment services system. 

The new employment service will be built around a service model that matches the level and type of support to the circumstances of different job seekers. It will introduce three new, distinct service streams, reflecting the need to support people with differing characteristics and distance from the labour market: 

• online and brief intervention services for people closest to the labour market 
• targeted provider services for people moderately close to work 
• intensive services for people furthest from the labour market, including people with complex barriers. 

An easy read version and Auslan translation of the paper are available. The consultation on the discussion paper closes on 31 July 2026.