The Government has restarted mutual obligations and demerit points for jobseekers – but Anglicare Australia’s Jobs Availability Snapshot shows that the jobs just aren’t there for the people who need them.
Released today, the Snapshot measures how many jobs are available for people who don’t have qualifications or work experience. It found that:
- 27 jobseekers across Australia are competing for each entry-level job
- One in ten of these jobseekers don’t have recent experience or qualifications, or they have barriers to work
- Unemployment is going down, but the number of people with barriers to work has not budged
- These jobseekers spend an average of five years looking for work
- On top of that, 1.16 million people are underemployed. They could also be competing for these jobs.
“Our system is failing those who need the most help to find work – people with disabilities, who didn’t finish year 12, or older workers who lost their jobs later in life,” said Executive Director Kasy Chambers.
“Our Snapshot shows that over a hundred thousand of these jobseekers are looking for work. That number has barely budged in five years. The same people are being left behind each year.
“They need entry-level jobs, but there aren’t enough to meet demand in any part of the country. Across Australia, there are 27 jobseekers competing for each entry-level role. People with barriers to work barely stand a chance.”
Ms Chambers called on the Government to stop punishing people and start creating jobs for them.
“The pandemic is still raging, but the Government is already back to punishing people who can’t find work. The recovery is leaving people behind – the jobs aren’t there for the people who need them.
“We need to stop these pointless mutual obligations. This system of obligations costs taxpayers millions each year, but it is failing at getting people into work.
“We need to create entry-level opportunities for people in growing industries – like aged and disability care.
“And we need to lift jobseekers out of poverty. Nobody should be trapped in poverty while they look for work.
“These changes are urgent. If we don’t fix this broken system, we will continue leaving the same people behind again and again.”
Click here to read Anglicare Australia’s Jobs Availability Snapshot.