Sue Olney School of Social and Political Sciences / Melbourne School of Government University of Melbourne JSAs - What are they and how can they help us? Learn Local PQF Conference 9 October 2014

 Job Services Australia (JSA) is the Australian Government employment services system.  It is a fully outsourced system delivered by a network of for-profit and not-for-profit organisations contracted by the Commonwealth Department of Employment What are ‘JSAs’?

 Unemployed people assessed by Centrelink as capable of working (JSCI, ESAt) have activity requirements to be eligible to receive income support  They are referred to JSA providers for assistance to prepare for and find work Current state of play

Jobseekers are sorted into four streams for varying levels of assistance from JSA providers according to their needs. Unemployed people classified as Stream 4 face multiple and significant barriers to finding and keeping a job. Activation of this group often extends beyond employment services into welfare and vocational education.

JSA barriers (BMT)RoleRelevant agencies Personal interventions Health Socio-cultural Personal Improving safety, health, wellbeing and capabilities for individuals and communities to overcome barriers to social and economic participation Local, state and federal governments - human services, planning, community development, health, justice, immigration, emergency services - community service organisations, charities, Disability Employment Service, JSA System interventions Environmental Legal Helping individuals and communities overcome systemic access issues like transport, housing, care of dependents or discrimination Local, state and federal governments, community service organisations, charities, advocacy groups, Disability Employment Service, JSA Vocational support and brokerage Work experience Work skills Workplace communication Looking for work skills Workplace support required Low or limited education Low level literacy and/or numeracy Connecting people to employment and vocational pathways Helping people develop employability skills Helping people develop knowledge, vocational and professional skills Schools, Trade Training Centres, vocational education and training providers, Registered Training Organisations, universities, regulatory agencies, recruitment companies, charities, social enterprises, Disability Employment Service, JSA Strengthening economic conditions Identifying and planning for regional and industry growth Identifying and planning for skill and labour force needs Linking labour supply and demand Business and Industry Groups and Skills Councils, local, state and federal governments, local employers, regional bodies, chambers of commerce, peak bodies, JSA

works to strict guidelines and processes focused on job placement caseloads values and assumptions underpinning welfare policy Challenges working with JSA

In 2013: 827,039 people were on Newstart and Youth Allowance approximately 0.2% - refused jobs offered to them 28,200 – approximately 3.5% - ‘persistently failed to turn up to appointments’

 Job Services Australia contracts expire on 30 June 2015  An Exposure Draft of the Purchasing Arrangements for Employment Services was released for consultation on 28 July 2014  The tender for Employment Services opened this week and closes on 17 November 2014  Details at tender-employment-services http://employment.gov.au/news/request- tender-employment-services

2012 Employment Services Issues Paper There has been strong feedback about the disconnect between employment services and other complementary services. The next employment servicing arrangements need to better encourage partnerships with other services, including the Department of Human Services, and to deliver holistic servicing to job seekers. (p17) Request for Tender for Employment Services The Employment Services 2015 model has a focus on moving Job Seekers off Income Support and into work while also ensuring Job Seekers are giving back to the community that is supporting them. (p43)…removing the option of passive welfare, increasing job outcomes and introducing stronger Mutual Obligation Requirements in return for taxpayer funded Income Support. (33)

The Employment Services 2015 model includes the following components: Employment Providers (replacing the current Job Services Australia) Work for the Dole Coordinators New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) Harvest Labour Services National Harvest Labour Information Service. Deeds for each of these components will be for five years

Training will be tightly targeted and Job Seekers will not undertake training for training’s sake. The Employment Fund will focus on work related items, Post Placement Support, professional services and training that better meet the needs of Job Seekers and Employers. The existing Employment Services Areas will be replaced by 51 Employment Regions, with six Employment Providers and one Work for the Dole Coordinator in each Region Changes relevant to your work

Link pre-accredited learning to the world of work Where possible, find businesses willing to get involved Focus on JSA outcomes Opportunities