Urgent employment assistance for carers
Providing higher levels of employment assistance to long term carers seeking employment is “clear cut”, according to a peak carers association.
Ara Cresswell, Carers Australia chief executive, says carers' caring roles needs to be factored in when considering their capacity to undertake and sustain employment.
The Department of Employment yesterday released an exposure draft of its new employment assistance model which outlines the government’s plans for job seekers, including the mandatory work for dole requirements announced in the federal Budget.
As explained in the draft report, the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI) measures a job seeker’s relative difficulty in gaining and maintaining employment and also identifies those job seekers who have multiple and complex issues for employment that may require further assessment through an Employment Service Assessment (ESA).
The outcome of these assessments is now more important than ever, as they will not only determine the level and type of work participation and training requirements for recipients of income support, but also whether job seekers are forced to undergo a six month waiting period before they can receive that support.
They will also determine the level and type of government funded employment assistance to be provided to job seekers.
However, they do not specifically seek to assess the impact of caring for an adult with a disability, a chronic illness, a mental health problem or a person who is frail aged.
“The case for providing higher levels of employment assistance to long term carers seeking employment is clear cut,” said Ara Cresswell, Carers Australia chief executive.
According to the 2012 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Caring (SDAC), more than 63% of carers providing 40 or more hours of care per week had been caring for between five and 25 years or more.
“The circumstances of their previous caring role has generally left these carers without an adequate employment record, referees and up to date skills which would enable them to re-enter the mainstream workforce,” Ms Cresswell said.
“With respect to those current carers in need of income support who provide lesser, but still substantial, amounts of care, their caring role needs to be factored in when considering their capacity to undertake and sustain employment – including work for the dole – or to meet job application and training requirements.
“In this context, we note that in 2012 it was estimated that there were about 18,000 carers on the Newstart Allowance.”
On the positive side, the draft report promises less prescription, complexity and red tape for employment services providers, which should improve their performance.
The report also promises much needed post job placement support, professional services and training that better meet the needs of job seekers and employers.
Responses to the draft report, which can be found on the federal government’s AusTender website, are due on 25 August.
It is unclear what the relationship of this document is to the Review of the Australian Welfare System Interim Report, which is a public consultation document covering many of the same issues.
