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Tuesday, 10 February 2004
Page: 24306

(Question No. 2772)


Mr Gibbons asked the Minister for Employment Services, upon notice, 24 November 2003:

(1)  Can he confirm that Job Network providers are claiming funding each year for placing the same itinerant workers in the same annual seasonal employment.

(2)  Can he explain how Job Network providers may claim funding under the pretext that they secured employment for the itinerant worker when the seasonal work is offered directly to the worker.


Mr Brough —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1)  Job Network members claim funding for services delivered to job seekers in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in the Employment Services Contract (ESC) 2003-2006. Job Network members are to assist unemployed job seekers into the widest possible range of job opportunities. If a job seeker is unemployed and receives Newstart Allowance, including meeting ongoing tests for active job search for all suitable available work, the Job Network member would be eligible for an Outcome Fee if the person secured employment in a seasonal job that met normal conditions as to duration and number of hours worked. However, they do not receive an outcome for placing a job seeker into a vacancy similar to one previously held with that employer. The payment schedule for ESC services details rules limiting payment for certain repeat placements. A copy of the ESC3 contract providing full details of the services required of Job Network members and of conditions under which fees are payable is available at the www.workplace.gov.au web site - Job Network link.

(2)  Job Placement fees that relate to vacancy gathering, matching and placement of job seekers into vacancies are not payable where work is offered direct to the job seeker. There are no per-placement fees under the Harvest Labour Services (HLS) and National Harvest Labour Information Services (NHLIS) contracted by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Job Placement and HLS/NHLIS information is available at the www.workplace.gov.au web site - Job Network link.