Unemployment has declined, and many believe the employment market is thriving. In spite of this, the number of people with barriers to work seeking employment has barely budged. Those who need the most help to find work, and those who are long-term unemployed, are not benefitting from the recovery in the labour force. In this submission, Anglicare Australia calls for a renewed focus on direct job creation, particularly in entry-level roles, focusing on sectors with high projected demand for workers. It also recommends a major overhaul of employment services to focus on delivering real outcomes, instead of simply administering breaches and obligations. In the meantime, it will be critical to raise the rate of income payments to ensure that people do not get caught in poverty traps while they seek work.