Opportunity for all through employment and inclusion
Opportunity for all through employment and inclusion
Employment Matters
Unemployment can affect anyone, at any time. Unemployment has wide ranging impact on individuals, families, the wider community and our economy.
Work not only provides income for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter, it also provides purpose and social inclusion. The longer people are unemployed, the more their prospects of finding work diminish, as do their resources, further limiting their opportunities.
The mission of Australian employment services, and of NESA as the peak body for the sector, is to break the cycle of unemployment and enable people to be fully included in the social and economic life of the community. The work carried out by our dedicated Members in the employment services sector is challenging – but the human rewards are great. Our Members support individuals with complex barriers and needs to enable them to secure employment. Providers of employment services and their frontline employment consultants know that their efforts count, not just to individual clients, but to families, society as a whole and the Australian economy.
The job ahead
Leaving no one behind
Participation Rate by Age
January 2019
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Data: ABS 6291.0.55.001 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed – Electronic Delivery
Gender Breakdown
of the Australian labour force
Female
Male
Data: ABS 6202.0 labour Force status by Sex, Australia – Trend, Seasonally Adjusted and Original
Realising Our Vision
Highlights from the Year in Review
Achievements from NESA submissions and advocacy
Improved Payment Model in CDP
Our advocacy resulted in increased outcome payments and increased employment incentive payments.
Business Reallocation
Consideration by government of key mitigating factors impacting provider performance
Employment Services 2022
Continued extensive consultation and co-design through round tables and working groups
Targeted Compliance Framework
A trusted voice at the table to ensure a fair and equitable framework is maintained whilst minimising unnecessary penalties imposed upon participants
Employability Skills Training
Influencing decision making protocols to minimise financial sanctions upon providers
DES Wage Subsidy Agreements
Successful negotiation of maximum length of the wage subsidy period increased to 9 months
Servicing Job Seekers with Challenging Behaviours
Increased recognition by government of the severity and increased instances of critical incidents resulting in improved servicing arrangements and protocols to ensure staff safety across the sector
Improving CDP Compliance Arrangements
Advocated to remove connection between job seeker compliance and payment model, which provided greater flexibility for providers. There has been an overall decrease in penalties being applied since 1 March 2019.
Transition for new CDP services - 2019
Advocated for new services to receive transition funding and a modified payment model in the first three months to give providers adequate investment during contract start up.
Improving Connection - Fast tracking feedback
Continued work to obtain quick responses to program and policy issues across all programs.
1000 Jobs Creation Package Design - CDP
Advocated for provider effort to be recognised in rolling out the Job Creation Package resulting in CDPs playing a crucial role in the initiative, and with any placements counted toward the Regional Employment Target, and outcome payments payable.
Contracting Structure - CDP
Advocated for the purchasing process to allow for a range of contracting structures to ensure the widest possible options for communities.
Support
Policy Support

Help desk calls/emails for policy support

Members gained policy insights and contributed to policy positions through their participation in NESA’s Leadership Forums, Special Interest Groups, Taskforces, Working, Advisory Groups and regular topic focused/general member phone consultations.

Subscribers were kept regularly informed of policy development through NESA communications.
Sector Capacity building
NESA continued to support the sector to advance employment inclusion in 2018-19:

Sector leaders and frontline staff gained skills and knowledge through NESA’s professional development and coaching programs, workshops and webinars throughout the year.

Public and in-house professional development events held

Member representatives benefited from NESA events and forums

Employment services practitioners registered for the Practitioner Toolkit