Wednesday 29 June 2022 05:39 AM Labor reveals new rules for job seekers under Centrelink system Workforce ... trends now
Labor has revealed a new 'clean slate' rule for job seekers on Centrelink just days before the new Workforce Australia service comes into effect.
Workforce Australia will replace the former JobActive scheme from Monday and feature a raft of changes, including a points system that requires job seekers to accumulate 100 points a month to receive payments.
JobActive previously had recipients send out twenty resumes a month for payments, but some employers revealed they were getting 'ridiculous' CVs from those reportedly trying to rort the system.
Some examples obtained by Daily Mail Australia earlier this month include a job seeker who admitted running their own business but confessed 'I need to be on Centrelink'.
Another CV went into detail about an applicant's medical history, including a recent hernia.
The controversial changes to Centrelink via Workforce Australia, pushed through by the Morrison government, have already been solidified.
But Labor announced plans to make slight alterations to the system, with Employment Minister Tony Burke revealing on Tuesday that a 'clean slate' policy will be implemented so that job seekers can have a 'fresh start'.
Labor has made alterations to the Workforce Australia system coming into effect from next Monday for Centrelink recipients
Mr Burke said: 'The previous federal government locked in the points system - and signed more than $7 billion worth of contracts with providers - shortly before the election. But it never properly explained the new system to the Australian people.'
'That's one of the reasons the new government is implementing a "clean slate" policy, meaning people who have accrued penalties or demerits under the old system will start over under the new one.'
The employment minister also announced changes to the scrutinised Points Based Activation System (PBAS).
These include increasing the points value to certain tasks - like starting a new job - and reducing the number of points required from jobseekers based on personal hardship or circumstances.
Most of the activities on the points system are worth 20 points or less and have tasks such as attending a job interview, getting a driver's license, attending a job fair, rehab and doing online learning modules.
Mr Burke said the alterations - both current and future - by Labor would help 'provide real incentives for people who are making an extra effort to be job ready'.
