CEO’s Report

This year has seen some major policy developments, as well as the traditional “coming of age” of the Employment Services system: Job Network was established 21 years ago. Since this time, we have had 7 Prime Ministers, presiding over 16 Ministers responsible for the Employment Services portfolio. The portfolio (and therefore the Department) has changed its name 7 times, much to the exasperation of 6 Deputy Secretaries (Employment). We have been through 8 commissioning events and contract periods, with two changes of major program name (Job Network to Job Services Australia (JSA) and JSA to jobactive) and seen 21 employment programs discontinued or superseded.

NESA has said on many occasions that our sector has an incredible capacity for agility and resilience. The ongoing reform agenda has been relentless and the scale and magnitude of reform enormous. However, despite the challenges, our sector has continued to deliver record performance contract after contract, driven by our commitment to inclusion for all through employment.

And the pace of change is not slowing…

Over the past year, the implementation of the Targeted Compliance Framework has required significant effort and collaboration by all providers and stakeholders across the sector.

The new Disability Employment Services (DES) model commenced in July 2018 and its implementation has involved greater emphasis on choice and person-centred approaches with fundamental change to previous arrangements including removal of market share. Despite initial operational challenges, the program has stabilised and is assisting participants to achieve their employment inclusion goals. NESA continues to represent DES through the DES Reference Group, National Disability and Carers Advisory Council (NDCAC), the NDCAC Employment Reform Working Group and regular liaison with the Department of Families and Social Services and relevant Ministers.

This year NESA also supported Members through the expansion of ParentsNext, purchasing for the national roll-out of Career Transition Assistance and the bedding down of the Time to Work program.

Indigenous employment and the Community Development Program (CDP) reform continue to be priorities. NESA’s CDP Special Interest Group has remained focused and committed to progressing this work. The CDP Provider Forum continues to provide opportunities for engagement, networking and robust discussion about future directions of Indigenous employment in Australia.

Changes made to jobactive arrangements, particularly in relation to wage subsidies have tested the sector and NESA is continuing to advocate regarding the service delivery and financial pressures related to the adequacy of investment in the Employment Fund.

As a sector we are on the cusp of the next wave of change with the proposed move from a deeply embedded human service delivery methodology, to a model incorporating a significant digital service component. NESA is regularly engaging with the Department, Ministers and other stakeholders regarding New Employment Services and the various trials informing design of the new model to ensure that the experience of the sector remains at the forefront of policy development.

The inaugural NESA International Innovation Tour attended by 15 NESA Member leaders provided insight into international experience with mature digital service models. The expertise from our international colleagues and learnings gathered through this tour will contribute to our representation on future directions in Australia.

Whilst we agree that transformation and innovation should be embraced, NESA continues to advocate to government that while technological advancement has much to offer it should not and does not replace the need for personal services. The implications of these changes speak broadly to the future of all human services in Australia. It is essential that the voices and expertise of the sector are heard to ensure that the next iteration of employment services is fit for purpose.

NESA Solutions continued its crucial work in remote Australia delivering the Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS) Training project to over 453 RSAS staff, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (AMHFA) project to more than 2270 remote workers and community members.

The RSAS project delivered 53 RSAS training workshops in 52 RSAS sites, and the AMHFA project, 173 AMHFA workshops in over 100 communities.

We are proud that the work we do has equipped the RSAS workforce with valuable skills to increase Indigenous school attendance across remote Australia. We are also proud that our work directly within communities and with the Community Development Program (CDP), Community Night Patrol (CNP) and School Nutrition Program (SNP) providers’ frontline staff has equipped them with the skills they need to respond to the mental health issues that are happening in their communities.

On behalf of myself and my dedicated team, thank you for your continued support.

We look forward to working with you over the coming year, as we work together toward opportunity for all through employment and inclusion.

Sally Sinclair CEO