Our Voice is Strong

NESA is the voice of the sector providing advocacy and representation to ensure Australian job seekers and employers have access to effective labour market assistance.

Sector Advocacy

NESA used broad and extensive channels of influence to promote an understanding and appreciation of the sector, and to progress the improvement of labour market policy, programs, and interventions for the broader employment services framework.

NESA used solid evidence-based intelligence in our submissions on behalf of members and the sector

NESA’s Submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Working Holiday Maker Program Inquiry

NESA’s Response to the Exposure Draft for the New Employment Services Model 2022 Purchasing Arrangements

NESA’s Response to the Proposed licensing system for the New Employment Services Model Discussion paper

NESA’s Response to the Proposed payment model for the New Employment Services Model Discussion Paper

NESA’s Response to the DSS 2020 Formal Performance Assessment – Draft Industry Information Paper

NESA’s Pre-Budget Submission to The Treasury Commonwealth of Australia 2021-22

NESA’s Transition to Work Response

NESA Submission to the Senate Inquiry Social Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2021

View NESA’s policy papers and submissions appearances

Invitation to appear

before a Senate Inquiry resulted from NESA submissions enabling us to further advance the sector’s position on the matters at hand:

  • Social Security Legislation Amendment (Streamlined Participation Requirements and Other Measures) Bill 2021
  • Joint Standing Committee on Migration – Working Holiday Maker Program
  • Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 – Australian Government’s Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Representing the sector

Advisory bodies and working groups

  • Treasury’s Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit
  • New Employments Services Model Working Group
  • New Employment Services Trial Reference Group
  • Employment Services Advisory Committee
  • jobactive CEO Forum
  • National CEO Forum
  • CEO Virtual Forum
  • CEO Livestream Update with Deputy Secretary Employment, Nathan Smyth
  • Peak Employment Services Bodies meetings
  • Disability Employment Services Reference Group
  • Disability Support Services Committee & Workshop
  • Disability Employment Advisory Committee
  • DES and Employment Services Peak Bodies Group
  • DES Operations Working Group
  • DES Future Employment Services Reference Group
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Advisory Group on Market Oversight
  • Disability and Health Sector Consultation Committee (DHSCC)
  • CDP CEOs and NIAA Meetings (per State/Territory)
  • DESE Harvest Trail Services team
  • Information Technology Advisory Group (ITAG)
  • Department of Health Service Development Assistant Panel (SDAP)
  • Department of Health Home Care Workforce Support program meeting

Sector Networks

NESA worked extensively with other influential bodies, developing shared understanding and opportunities for collaboration to enhance the critical work that the employment services sector does.

These networks also provided intelligence for policy positions and strategic approaches to strengthen the effective delivery of labour market assistance and social policy.

Click across to see examples of some of the key stakeholders, networks and initiatives NESA liaised with during 2020-2021 on behalf of members.

  • Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
  • Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)
  • Associations Forum
  • The National NEIS Association
  • The National Australian Apprenticeship Association
  • TAFE Directors Australia
  • Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia: ITECA
  • Business Council of Australia
  • The Australian Industry Group (AIG)
  • Community for Economic Development of Australia
  • Mental Health Australia
  • Mental Health First Aid Australia
  • National Wellbeing Alliance
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
  • Australian Health Benefits of Good Work Signatory Steering Group
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
  • OECD Local Development Forum
  • Disability Employment Australia (DEA)
  • Jobs Australia (JA)
  • National Disability Services (NDS)
  • National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA)
  • Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association (ARPA)
  • The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) in the UK
  • International Centre for Career Development and Public Policy (ICCDPP)
  • Jobsbank in Victoria
  • Concern Australia
  • Migration Council Australia (MCA)
  • Settlement Council of Australia (SCA)
  • National Youth Summit (NYS)
  • National Youth Employment Body (NYEB) Advisory Group
  • Social Ventures Australia (SVA)
  • Boosting Local Care Workforce Program, Ernst and Young
  • Financial Inclusion Action Plan Advisory Group (FIAP)
  • Good Shepherd Microfinance
  • University of Melbourne – NESA, the University of Melbourne and WCIG (in partnership) were awarded the 2019 Linkages Projects Outcome (Intake 3) project grant. The new digital governance of welfare to work project aims to analyse the implementation of a ‘digital first’ employment services system, its effects on frontline services and governance and its potential for policy learning
  • University of NSW
  • Maynooth University in Ireland
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence Youth Employment Body
  • Generation One
  • Social Research Centre regarding the VOEST Evaluation

“In another year of continued disruption, NESA has worked collaboratively with the sector to understand issues, provide updates and advocate for the sector to support members.  We have engaged in policy discussion, feedback opportunities, tender preparation advice and professional development programs within the last 12 months.“

– Nicole Mattsson, General Manager – Business Sustainability, Disability Employment Services and jobactive, MatchWorks

“The RFFR Community of Practice has been of immense value whilst navigating the complexities and nuances of Right fit for Risk. The ability to ask questions of community members, receive informed and practical responses have assisted greatly when considering or implementing controls to satisfy Information Security Manual requirements. Advocacy provided by NESA via the RffR Community of Practice has also allowed for concerns to be raised by Providers and submitted to the Department for a response. Put simply, the RffR path would have been more difficult, if not for the RffR Community of Practice implemented by NESA”

– Roger Abbott, Deputy CEO, BEST Employment

“NESA has provided our organisation with tailored policy support and guidance over 22 years. With NESA’s support, we have been able to proactively work with many organisations to positively influence the employment services sector and provide quality employment services to participants, employers and the community.“

– Phuong Do, Manager Contract Management, The Salvation Army Employment Plus

Key priorities included:

July – August 2020

  • Prepared submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provided evidence to the Inquiry.
  • Provided ongoing representation regarding impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the sector – Met with Ministers, their advisors, and Shadow Ministers to strongly articulate the uncertainty and difficulty that the employment services sector was facing due to the significant impacts of COVID-19.
  • Highlighted the impact on job seekers and providers’ business models as a result of government decisions to fast track the implementation of the Online Employment Service (OES) prior to completion of the trial and full development of the platform; retaining job seekers in digital employment services and consequences of various program assurance measures.
  • NESA continued to contribute to the development of the New Employment Services Model (NESM) throughout the period including:
    • Meeting with key government departmental representatives from DESE to discuss the future model in further detail.
    • Responding to the consultation on the proposed licensing arrangements for Enhanced Services, requesting further clarification on the interaction with complementary services, participating in information sessions and providing a submission to DESE on members’ behalf.
  • NESA continued to engage with DSS in relation to DES via bilateral meetings, Reference Groups and the DES Peak Bodies Working Group. In addition to ongoing operational issues and COVID impacts representation was particularly focussed on the mid-program review of DES by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), changes to education outcomes and performance management. Members reported their appreciation for NESA successfully achieving the reconsideration of timelines by DSS..

September – October 2020

  • NESA continued its advocacy and representation in relation to impacts on job seekers, and on providers’ business models as a result of government decisions to fast track the implementation of the OES; providing evidence-based examples of referral/opt-out challenges, and job seekers’ experiences in the OES.
  • Advocated and liaised with the relevant government departments and Ministers regarding the resumption of the Mutual Obligation arrangements (Timing, communication, and appropriateness by location)
  • NESA liaised with the relevant government departments in relation to jobactive Star Ratings being permanently discontinued after September 2020, and the changes to DES Star Ratings methodology
  • NESA met with NIAA and discussed resumption of full service delivery for the Community Development Program and associated expectations.
  • NESA continued to monitor the unemployment rate, labour market, and general impacts associated with the cessation of JobKeeper Payment

November 2020 – January 2021

  • NESA engaged with the DESE, DSS and Treasury Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit (CBLU) in relation to ongoing COVID-19 impacts and new budget measures.
  • NESA raised concerns with relevant government departments including the:
    • Reintroduction of Mutual Obligation in VIC
    • Changes to DES Eligibility
    • Return to normal funding arrangements for jobactive from end of November 2020
    • Changes to Payment Suspension Arrangements from 7 December 2020
    • Initial release of the DSS 2021 Formal Performance Assessment – Draft Industry Information in late December 2020
  • Submitted Response to the DSS 2020 Formal Performance Assessment – Draft Industry Information Paper

February – April 2021

  • As the treatment of COVID-19 remained fluid, NESA stayed abreast of the localised/state-based responses for each state and territory with put
  • NESA continued to engage with DESE in relation to the progress of the New Employment Services Model including via the NESM Working Group, and informed members of ongoing developments and status of the new model.
  • NESA liaised with DESE in response to the Return of Mutual Obligation (9 March 2021).
  • NESA liaised with DESE in response to the Return of Work for the Dole.
  • NESA engaged with NIAA and CDP services to contribute to policy on the future of the CDP program, including beyond June 2023.
  • NESA engaged with members on the release of the Direction Notice — Targeted Monitoring of Performance and Exercise of Remedies jobactive Deed 2015−2022.
  • NESA liaised with DESE on the issue of SMS as Documentary Evidence Requirements.

May – June 2021

  • NESA continued to engage with Government and DESE on NESM, and prepared responses to the Transition to Work Consultation Paper and the New Employment Services Exposure Draft Request For Proposal.
  • NESA responded to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) mid-program report which was publicly released.
  • Sally Sinclair, CEO NESA was appointed onto the re-formed DES Reference Group. The DES Reference Group is the Steering Group advising Government  on the disability employment services reforms.
  • NESA engaged with members and provided feedback to DSS on the DES Star Ratings and Performance Management Framework.
  • NESA prepared its submission to the Senate Inquiry into Social Security Amendment Bill, provided evidence to the Inquiry and liaised with DESE, Ministers and Shadow Ministers on the recommendations and positions contained in our submission.
  • NESA continued to liaise with NIAA, Ministers and other stakeholders regarding the proposed program design and procurement of the Indigenous Employment Program.
  • The Federal Budget was handed down during this period with numerous m impacting on employment services. NESA provided detailed feedback to the Government on:
    • Savings measures for New Employment Services
    • Proposed funding arrangements for New Employment Services
    • Increased investment for Digital Services
  • NESA prepared a submission in response to the Transition to Work Consultation Paper

Keeping members informed

Newsletters

Our communications team regularly distributed five electronic communications to keep members informed of government and government departmental announcements and policy and program changes, sector good news stories, NESA’s capacity building and events offerings and general sector news

Leadership Bulletin

The Leadership Bulletin from the desk of NESA CEO Sally Sinclair, goes to members’ executives keeping them informed of high level policy, program, and operational announcements, issues and changes as well as updates on NESA’s advocacy, representations and initiatives.

Job Matters

Job Matters is NESA’s public fortnightly media, reports, and published research roundup. It is also an effective medium for NESA’s industry partners to keep in touch with our readership.

Capability Matters

Capability Matters is NESA’s public fortnightly Professional Development calendar, highlighting NESA’s ever-evolving range of capacity-building workshops, coaching programs, and webinars.

NESA Professional Development E-Newsletter displayed on mobile tablet and mobile phone

Professional Development

Targeted Professional Development bulletins are public announcements of up-coming capacity building opportunities.

Industry Events

Industry Events announcements notify NESA’s member and public readership of any upcoming sector relevant event that NESA is organising.

To sign up for our public newsletters, click here

Our website

nesa.com.au is the information hub for NESA’s members and contains sections that are also open to the public. . NESA’s website includes details of NESA’s Board and staff, activities, membership, professional development opportunities, current events, media appearances and public submissions and publications. The exclusive member-only section contains specific policy documents and non-public submissions and publications. It is a constantly evolving showcase of the work that NESA is doing for its members and the broader employment sector.

Social media

Our comms team is also active on social media, making regular updates on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

National Promotion

NESA’s multi-channel promotion strategy is designed to raise a better understanding and appreciation of Australian employment services through:

Stakeholder Engagement

Media Coverage

Social Media

Speaking Engagements

NESA in the media

Throughout 2020-21, NESA proactively ran targeted media campaigns to debunk false and misleading information, support the profiling of the sector, and to highlight the good work of our members.

NESA appeared across 30 different state and national outlets, communicating members’ key concerns and further advocating on issues such as:

  • The fast tracking of the Online Employment Services (OES) including the potential long-term unemployment implications for job seekers.
  • Federal Budget announcements including the savings measures for New Employment Services and increased investment for digital services.

10 Radio Appearances

2 Television Appearances

20 Print/Online Appearances

Click here to view NESA’s media appearances

The Australian employment services sector continues to inspire governments and employment services bodies throughout the world.

International Perspectives on COVID-19

NESA representatives participated in webinars and virtual forums to gain intelligence on international responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide information on what  measures and responses Australia put in place.

NESA’s work on the
international front

  • Raises the profile of Australia’s employment services and service providers in the global arena
  • Strengthens the position of the sector both nationally and internationally
  • Ensures the international eye continues to see NESA’s and the sector’s achievements and successes
  • Keeps the political value of the sector high
  • Provides direct opportunities for NESA’s members to access and develop services in international markets.

Key Stakeholders

Including International Stakeholders

NESA continued to engage with international stakeholders and counterparts, particularly in relation to gaining a better understanding of international responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included participating in international webinars.

NESA CEO provided a brief video on Australia’s employment services response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the OECD Local Development Forum webinar on the Future of Local Employment Services which was held in conjunction with the World Association of Public Employment Services (WAPES).

NESA provided a briefing on NESA’s governance arrangements to Pole Emploi (French Public Employment Services) who are keen to host a study visit for NESA once international travel resumes.

NESA also engaged with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (The USA State Workforce Agencies), providing information about NESA’s comprehensive professional development programs.