Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2011, published 101st ILC session (2012)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Australia (Ratification: 1969)

Employment trends and active labour market measures. The Committee notes the Government’s comprehensive report received in September 2011 which includes detailed replies to the matters raised in the 2009 observation. The Government reports that Australia has emerged from the global financial crisis with a relatively strong labour market. There are however, many regions still with unemployment levels well above the national average, and the growing number of very long-term unemployed is another cause for concern. Natural disasters in 2010–11 have also negatively affected regional labour markets. The Committee notes the data provided by the Government showing that the Australian labour market remains resilient, despite some short-term softness in activity. Employment increased by 222,000 (or 2 per cent) throughout the year until June 2011, to stand at 11,455,200, although the pace of employment growth has slowed in recent quarters, peaking at 36,000 in August 2010, to its modest pace of 3,800 in June 2011. Nevertheless, the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.9 per cent in June 2011 and the participation rate increased by 0.2 percentage points, reaching 65.6 per cent in June 2011. The Government indicates that the Keep Australia Working initiative was implemented in response to the effects of the global financial crisis to protect jobs and support business. This programme included several initiatives aimed at maximising employment including Local Employment Coordinators working directly with employers to increase opportunities for jobseekers in the regions. Due to the success of this locally based programme, it was granted a two-year extension in the 2011 budget. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide evaluation data on the impact of the various labour market reform measures undertaken on the employment situation, and information on the involvement of the social partners in the design and implementation of an active employment policy in accordance with the Convention (Articles 1–3 of the Convention).

Employment services. The Committee notes that the Employment Partnership Framework was established in 2010 to facilitate consultation with key employment services stakeholders. The framework includes mechanisms for consultation at strategic and operational levels. The Government indicates that the current employment service contracts (both Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services) expire on 30 June 2012. The development and implementation of the new model has been underpinned by an extensive consultation process with stakeholders. Following consultations and feedback indicating that there was a strong desire for stability, the Government announced that apart from some minimal changes the Job Services Australia and Disability Employment Services models will remain largely unchanged when the new contracts are introduced in July 2012. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the effects of the changes to employment services with regard to the objectives of the Convention.

Education and training policies. The Committee notes that the Jobs Fund initiative supports and creates jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure. The Jobs Fund is part of the Jobs and Training Compact which was announced in April 2009 to support families and communities most affected by the global financial crisis. As of June 2011, the Jobs Fund projects created 8,500 jobs, 2,260 traineeships/apprenticeships and 4,400 work experience places. The Government indicates that it is currently completing fieldwork for the evaluation of the Jobs and Training Compact and the final report is expected to be released in the near future. It further indicates that it commenced several regionally focused initiatives in 2011 such as the Regional Education, Skills and Jobs Plans initiative with the aim to increase productivity and social inclusion outcomes. The Productivity Places Programme, which started in 2008, will provide training places for over five years to ensure both jobseekers and existing workers develop the skills to meet industry needs. Furthermore, the Securing Australian Apprenticeships measure seeks to support apprenticeship programmes in the labour market, assisting almost 50,000 employers as of May 2011. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken in the area of education and training policies and on their relation to prospective employment opportunities.

Means to promote employment of workers with disabilities. The Government indicates that under the Disability Employment Services which commenced in March 2010, eligible jobseekers with disabilities have immediate access to tailored services that are flexible and responsive to both their needs and those of employers. The Evaluation of the Disability Employment Services Interim Report was released in June 2011 assessing the early months of the 2010–12 programme. When compared to previous programmes, the evaluation found that: more people are accessing services under the new programme; support after employment placement is now better targeted; the jobs obtained appear to be more sustainable; and the time it takes for a participant to commence in services after referral has increased. The Government indicates that the final evaluation report will be completed in the 2012–13 financial year. Furthermore, the Committee notes that an Employment Assistance Fund which began in March 2010 to provide financial assistance to employers, individuals and employment service providers for modifications to workplaces, adaptive equipment, disability awareness training, and workplace assessments. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on labour market measures regarding workers with disabilities and evaluation data on the Disability Employment Services.

Means to promote employment of older workers and younger workers. The Committee notes that Experience+ is a programme which aims to help older workers remain engaged in the labour market and encourage the transfer of skills to younger generations. Services delivered under Experience+ began in July 2010 and include: free professional career planning for persons aged 45 years and over; and grants for employers to allow older workers to become mentors or supervisors of apprentices or trainees. With regard to younger workers, the Government announced in the 2011–12 federal budget a number of measures to give young persons greater incentives, support and opportunities to engage in education, training and employment that will help secure their future in the labour market. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to encourage and support employment levels of older workers and younger workers.

Means to promote employment of indigenous peoples. The Government indicates that under the National Indigenous Reform Agreement (NIRA), the Council of Australian Governments has agreed to the target of halving the gap in employment outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. To halve the gap by 2018, the number of workforce-age (15–64 years) indigenous Australians in employment will need to increase by around 100,000 persons, which represents an increase of almost 60 per cent when compared to the base year of 2008. The NIRA emphasises that investments from both mainstream and indigenous specific programmes and initiatives are needed to improve outcomes for indigenous Australians. The Government reports that, since its commencement on 1 July 2009 through 30 June 2011, Job Services Australia has achieved more than 80,500 job placements for indigenous jobseekers. The Indigenous Employment Programme complements Job Services Australia to help indigenous Australians obtain employment and participate in economic activities. Over the same period, there were 53,388 commencements in the Indigenous Employment Programme, of which 25,340 were employment placements and 29,048 were training places. The Committee notes the comments received from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) indicating that it regrets that record spending has had little discernible impact on the employment rates of indigenous Australians. The ACTU is however hopeful that the review by the Government of the remote participation and employment servicing arrangements will provide an opportunity to improve the delivery of employment services to indigenous Australians. The Committee invites the Government and the social partners to include in its next report information on the impact of the specific measures taken to promote productive employment opportunities for indigenous people.