ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the case for substantive reform to active labour market policy by pointing to the evidence of ongoing weakness of the main employment assistance program. Job Services Australia. The effectiveness of active labour market policies (ALMPs) measures has been hampered by a lack of investment, the marketisation of employment assistance and the lack of integration between skill-building and job-placement at a local level. The Job Network incorporated an assessment process of labour market disadvantage for streaming job seekers into a level of assistance matched to their needs providing job search assistance, job placement and intensive support aimed at the long-term unemployed. The federal government has changed procedures for assessment of impairment to be applied to new claimants for the disability support pension, as well as extended participation requirements for disability support pension recipients under 35 years of age.
