SSI Backs Employment Reform, Calls for Inclusive System

SSI has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement of the most significant reform to Australia's employment services system in 30 years, calling it a long-overdue opportunity to build a system that works for every Australian, but urges the government to move quickly and ensure newly arrived and multicultural communities are at the table shaping what comes next.

SSI Executive General Manager Service Delivery, Eric Harper, said the reforms, which introduce distinct service streams, a new assessment process and tailored employment plans, reflect what SSI and the communities we work with have long called for.

"The system has too often treated everyone the same regardless of how far they are from the labour market or what barriers stand in their way. These reforms recognise that people need different kinds of support depending on their situation," he said.

SSI also strongly welcomes the shift towards community-based solutions, and the opportunity to work with the government to recognise individuals' core strengths, capabilities, and needs through more specialised services.

"Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, but our employment services system has not kept pace with that reality," said Mr Harper.

"Newly arrived migrants, refugees and culturally diverse communities can face unique barriers when seeking employment, including overseas skills recognition issues, language barriers, unfamiliarity with Australian workplace systems, discrimination, trauma and limited professional networks. Generic, one-size-fits-all models are not equipped to respond to this complexity."

"Future employment services must be designed with specialist capability embedded into the system — including culturally responsive, place-based and community-led approaches — if we are serious about improving employment outcomes."

The specialised refugee disability employment services delivered through the Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program is a strong example of what community-based and culturally responsive employment support looks like in practice. The program demonstrates how specialist services tailored to the needs of particular cohorts can build trust, remove barriers and connect people to meaningful employment pathways.

Drawing on this approach would ensure that cohorts in the proposed service streams benefit from local knowledge, place-based delivery and providers with the capability to support diverse communities effectively..

"The IEA recognises that specialist services for specific cohorts are essential to delivering tailored, culturally appropriate support that addresses participants' barriers and helps move them towards employment," said Mr Harper.

SSI also welcomes the much-needed discussion about reforming mutual obligations.

We urge the government to ensure that its Employment Services Reform Advisory Group, established to guide the design of the new system, proactively includes diverse voices that reflect the unique and varied experiences newly arrived and multicultural communities have when seeking employment in Australia.

"If the new system is to genuinely serve all Australians, the voices of multicultural communities must be at the table from the beginning. Leaving them out only ensures the same gaps and inequities persist," said Mr Harper.

While SSI welcomes the reforms, we urge the government to move as quickly as possible through the design and implementation process. Nearly two years have passed since the House Select Committee inquiry exposed the failures of the current system. Vulnerable jobseekers will continue to be let down while reforms are finalised.

SSI looks forward to contributing to the design of the new system that is truly responsive to the needs of a diverse Australia.