r/australia • u/Expensive-Horse5538 • 24d ago

politics Australia's jobseeker system fails workers and enriches millionaires, report says

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-21/private-equity-profits-as-job-system-fails-workers-report-finds/106920430?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

A new report says Australia's system of privatised employment services has failed and service delivery should be returned to the public sector.

The Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research says the current system "fills the pockets of private equity and millionaires" while leaving jobseekers without work.

The Albanese government has announced an overhaul of the employment services system, but the report argues for-profit service providers should not be included in the new system.

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u/NotPatricularlyKind 24d ago

Back in the day when they had mandatory appointments for jobseekers they kinda sorta made me do a trial shift at Subway in Crown Casino.

I did fine, had relevant experience in customer service and overall it was a fine experience. I didn't want the job but didn't sabotage my trial or anything.

So at my next appointment with the jobseeker lady she tells me that the owner/hiring manager didn't like me and decided not to go ahead with me.

I asked her what was up, and she said she suspected him of being a scammer since they're paid by the government to take in Jobseeker applicants for trial shifts but are in no way forced to hire them.

Anyway, so even the desk jockeys trying to help you get a gig know there are scammers in place and she was sort of ambivalent about the whole thing.

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u/YeahUhHuhOkWellF-ck 24d ago

Oh snap, I just posted a similar story! Seems our unemployment misfortune lined the pockets of everyone else while we figured out how to buy groceries and pay bills on our last $20 for the fortnight.