Media Release by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

$48.5 million investment in innovative trials tackling disadvantage

The Morrison Government is testing innovative ways to assist Australians at-risk of long-term welfare reliance through projects funded under the final round of the Try, Test and Learn Fund.

Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston said the Government’s $48.5 million investment in 39 trial projects would create tailored pathways to help Australians who want to find work.

“We are testing a range of innovative projects in each state and territory which will generate an evidence base to identify the most effective pathways Australians take to get on track with their education or work goals,” Minister Ruston said.

“These trials will help the Government determine where to best invest taxpayer funding to support Australians get off of welfare and into a job.

“The Morrison Government is committed to breaking down the barriers Australians face getting back into the workforce to help people gain financial independence and create a better future for themselves and their families.”

Funded projects include:

  • Paid on-the-job hospitality training in a social enterprise kitchen for up to 48 domestic violence survivors and other older women at risk of homelessness in New South Wales and Victoria.
  • ‘Try a trade’ training course for 80 disengaged young people in Western Australia who will have the opportunity to give hospitality, conservation, land management and construction a go as part of a Certificate I in leadership and can then go on to complete a Certificate II in their chosen industry.
  • Therapy and education for 150 people in regional Victoria who have interacted with the criminal justice system to manage undiagnosed learning difficulties to improve job outcomes.
  • Providing mental health support to up to 1000 young apprentices in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory to increase completion rates.
  • Supporting 80 refugee women in South Australia through accredited training to access employment opportunities in aged care and disability care.

The projects are targeted to support disadvantaged groups at risk of welfare dependency including at-risk young people, older unemployed people, working age carers and migrants and refugees.

The $96.1 million Try, Test and Learn Fund has already seen an investment of more than $23 million across 14 projects aimed at helping young carers, young parents, students and at-risk young people.

“Since 2016, we have worked closely with individuals, academics, businesses, non-government and government sectors to co-develop the 53 Try, Test and Learn Fund projects. I would like thank all stakeholders for their contribution to these projects,” Minister Ruston said.

More information about the Try, Test and Learn Fund can be found on the Department of Social Services’ website.