More Centrelink assistance for jobseekers

The Minister for Community Services, Larry Anthony, today announced a programme that will see Centrelink boost its job search services to help more jobseekers get back into the workforce.

“Over the next six months, Centrelink will be introducing significant changes in the way they help people look for work,” Mr Anthony said.

“In the past, Centrelink’s main focus was on getting people onto social security payments but now they will be concentrating on helping jobseekers find work.”

“Working closely with the Job Network and the community, Centrelink will be adopting a four step plan that will help Jobseekers back into work.”

Mr Anthony said Centrelink would be adopting a basic four-step programme to help jobseekers:

• Assessment – finding out how Centrelink could help that person;
• Work plan – agreeing on activities the jobseeker can undertake to find work;
• Referral – referring jobseekers to programmes which could help them improve their chances of finding work; and
• Follow-up – the same Centrelink staff member will regularly review the jobseekers progress.

Jobseekers will soon have their own Centrelink contact officer who will work with them on an agreed work plan. They will be given a clear idea of their responsibilities as jobseekers, the type of job search activities expected of them and the services available to them.”

Mr Anthony said the programme has been successfully trialed in eight Centrelink offices across the country. Centrelink will now be embarking on an Australia-wide training program to equip its staff with the skills they need to focus on helping jobseekers find work.

“A Social Security payment is a means to an end, not an end in itself. The best form of help we can give someone is a job not welfare. This new Centrelink service will help achieve this aim.”