Anglicare Australia has long called for an overhaul of Australia’s employment services system. It has been clear for some time that these systems and programs are not working to achieve their stated aims – helping Australians with barriers to employment find a suitable job. The Government’s stated new aim of three streams, each with varying levels of intensity of supports, must be structured correctly lest they find themselves repeating the current failed system. If the new intensive support stream is going to be successful, it must ensure that providers prioritise long-term re-skilling and preparedness for the workforce. This reform process can and should be more than
minor changes to a broken system – it must be root and branch restructuring of how employment
service providers operate.