Call for Inclusive and Diverse System Design
Settlement Services International (SSI) has endorsed the Federal Government’s announcement of significant reforms to Australia’s employment services system, marking the most substantial overhaul in three decades. This reform presents an opportunity to build a system that serves all Australians effectively.
Eric Harper, SSI’s Executive General Manager of Service Delivery, highlighted the introduction of distinct service streams, a new assessment process, and tailored employment plans as pivotal changes. These modifications reflect long-standing community calls for a more responsive system.
“The system has too often treated everyone the same regardless of their distance from the labour market or existing barriers,” Harper stated. He emphasised the need for differentiated support based on individual circumstances.
Community-Based Solutions
SSI advocates for the shift towards community-based solutions, recognizing the necessity for specialised services that acknowledge individuals’ strengths, capabilities, and needs. Harper stressed the importance of integrating culturally responsive, place-based, and community-led approaches to improve employment outcomes.
“Australia is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, but our employment services system has not kept pace with that reality,” said Mr. Harper. Newly arrived migrants, refugees, and culturally diverse communities face unique employment barriers, including overseas skills recognition issues and language barriers.
The Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) programme exemplifies successful community-based and culturally responsive employment support. This programme demonstrates how tailored services can build trust and connect individuals to meaningful employment pathways.
SSI urges the government to ensure diverse voices are included in the Employment Services Reform Advisory Group. Neglecting multicultural community perspectives will perpetuate existing gaps and inequities.
SSI supports the reforms and calls for swift action in the design and implementation stages to avoid further disservice to vulnerable jobseekers. Nearly two years have passed since a House Select Committee inquiry exposed systemic failures in the current employment services system.
Harper noted, “Newly arrived migrants, refugees, and culturally diverse communities can face unique barriers when seeking employment, including discrimination, trauma, and limited professional networks.” Generic models fail to address these issues effectively.
The IEA program’s success shows that specialist services tailored to specific cohorts can effectively remove barriers and provide meaningful employment opportunities. Drawing on this approach would ensure that cohorts in the proposed service streams benefit from local knowledge and specialised support.
