UPDATE: Australia is launching an ambitious initiative to fill nearly 2 million new jobs over the next decade, targeting disengaged youth and older women. Federal Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth is set to unveil this plan at the National Employment Services Association (NESA) conference on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to reconnect unemployed Australians with the workforce.
Despite a low unemployment rate of 4.2 percent, Rishworth highlights the alarming number of Australians disconnected from the job market. She states, “We know that young people who are not engaged in education, training or paid employment by the age of 24 are most at risk of experiencing future long-term unemployment.” This initiative aims to address the urgent need for job opportunities, particularly for those underrepresented in the labor market.
The minister will reference a study by the Australian Institute of Family, revealing that one in three Australians under 24 from low socio-economic backgrounds are not engaged in education, employment, or training. In stark contrast, only one in 15 from higher socio-economic backgrounds face similar challenges.
Rishworth plans to highlight the significant economic shifts due to advancements in technology, the care economy, and the ongoing energy transition. “Our economy is an engine of employment opportunity,” she will assert, citing that total employment in Australia is projected to grow by approximately 950,000 people, or 6.6 percent, over the next five years. This trajectory suggests nearly 2 million additional jobs by 2034, potentially reaching 16.3 million employed people.
Currently, there are 329,600 vacant jobs in Australia, with just over 600,000 unemployed individuals, according to the Australian Industry Group. It remains unclear how many of the new positions will be filled by migrant labor, highlighting the pressing need for a comprehensive strategy.
During her address, Rishworth will outline her vision for a “flexible” and “responsive” employment service system, aiming to support out-of-work Australians effectively. This initiative comes on the heels of a highly active first term for the Albanese government, which has introduced significant reforms, including the “right to disconnect” for workers, “same job, same pay” regulations, and multi-employer bargaining.
As the government prepares to tackle these pressing workforce challenges, the implications for Australia’s economy and its workforce are critical. With a proactive approach, this initiative could reshape the employment landscape, offering renewed hope for those currently disengaged. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
