What is Job Services Australia?
Job Services Australia is the Australian Government’s national employment system. Job Services Australia has been designed to help job seekers obtain the skills they need and to secure sustainable employment. Every job seeker is linked to a Job Services Australia provider of their choice who has the flexibility to develop individually tailored assistance that is appropriate to their level of disadvantage.Why is this important?
Job Services Australia providers assess a job seeker’s circumstances and work with them to provide services that will help them to re-enter the workforce.Depending on the job seeker’s situation, immediate help may include:
- job search training and assistance, such as résumé preparation and advice on the best ways to look for work
- access to telephones, computers, stationery and employment vacancy listings to help you look for work
- skills development and training relevant to the local labour market needs
- referral to education or training to improve your language, literacy and numeracy skills, if required
- help with certain costs, such as safety boots, heavy vehicle licences, computer courses, wage assistance and relocation assistance, if required.
Job Services Australia is also available to refer job seekers to appropriate agencies or to assist job seekers to address personal circumstances which can include:
- Mental illness;
- Homelessness;
- drug or alcohol problems;
- issues associated with experiences of torture or trauma;
- gambling problems;
- domestic violence;
- financial management problems;
- physical or intellectual disability;
- social isolation/alienation; and
- poor communication/language skills.
Job Services Australia providers work to build linkages with employers to understand and meet their skills and labour needs. They identify the requirements of employers and ensure job seekers are trained and ready to meet employer needs, at a time when employers need them.
Who benefits?
Job Services Australia providers:- help all job seekers, regardless of their level of disadvantage, by providing individually tailored assistance to develop pathways into sustainable employment;
- connect job seekers to appropriate skill development opportunities;
- build linkages with employers to understand and meet their skills and labour needs; and
- build linkages and work cooperatively with other stakeholders, including local community and health services, Registered Training Organisations and State, Territory, local government and other service providers, including Australian Apprenticeship Access Program brokers.
How does it work for you?
Centrelink can assess your situation and work out which services you are eligible for.People with disability or a mental health condition who have a special workplace support need, may be eligible for Disability Employment Services. To find out more about Disability Employment Services visit deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/Pages/default.aspx.
If you are eligible for Job Services Australia, Centrelink will provide you with information to enable you to choose a Job Services Australia provider and will make an appointment for you with your Job Services Australia provider.
Some eligible job seekers can register directly with a Job Services Australia provider without going through Centrelink. To find out if you can do this call 13 17 64 or visit deewr.gov.au/jobservicesaustralia.
Your Job Services Australia provider will work with you to create an Employment Pathway Plan, tailored to your individual needs. This plan will set out the services and training that will help you find and keep a job. This may include help:
- writing a résumé
- accessing work experience opportunities
- gaining new skills or qualifications; or
- overcoming other barriers to employment.
Your Job Services Australia provider will work with you every step of the way by getting to know you and your individual circumstances. Your plan can be built around you—and this will increase your chances of getting a job.
Your Job Services Australia provider will also work with local employers, registered training organisations, State, Territory and local governments, community and health services, and other organisations. They will know where the jobs are and what to do to help you get one. You will have greater access to training, skills development and other flexible assistance when you require it. This includes gaining work experience and access to other initiatives.
Further information
To locate a Job Services Australia provider: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/providersearch.aspxPeople with disability or a mental health condition who have a special workplace support need, may be eligible for Disability Employment Services. To find out more about Disability Employment Services visit deewr.gov.au/Employment/Programs/DES/Pages/default.aspx.
For further information on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations employment services: www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/default.aspx
For general information on jobs and employment: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/default.aspx
Page currency, Latest update: 17 March, 2011