This article examines the under-explored demand-side of active labour market programs that aim to transition people without jobs into employment. The article's contribution centres on understanding the benefits that government-funded employment services can offer to employers and how they can work with employment service providers to leverage these. 

Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews with employers in Australia, the findings extend pre-existing concepts of employer engagement by illustrating the human resource, corporate social responsibility, and financial benefits to employers of engaging with employment services and how firm size affects their engagement. The article suggests improvements to policymaking and practice to facilitate the effectiveness of employment services in Australia and elsewhere.