July figures prove preparing for work a success

“Nearly 50,000 job seekers across the country people signed Preparing for Work agreements in July, taking full advantage of the Federal Government’s focus on jobs,” Minister for Community Services Larry Anthony said today.

“The new Preparing for Work Agreements, which started on July 3, inform job seekers of their obligations and help keep them focussed on what they must do to get a job,” said Mr Anthony.

“The Government’s policies are working, with 809,200 jobs created since coming into office and the unemployment rate is at its lowest for a decade – 6.3 per cent,” Mr Anthony said.

“Preparing for Work, which started in October 1999, helps ensure only genuine job seekers receive assistance.”

Preparing for Work helps job seekers find work by getting their focus right through:

• Assessing how Centrelink can help the job seeker;
• Agreeing on a work plan listing activities job seekers can undertake to find work;
• Referring job seekers to programs that can help improve their chances of finding work;
• Personal follow up – the same Centrelink staff member will regularly look at the job seeker’s progress.

Regional figures showing the number of Preparing for Work agreements signed since July 3 are: