We advocated for economic security and financial wellbeing for all Australians
In the last decade, Australian productivity and wage growth have slowed, placing pressure on living standards. There is a concern that Australia is less flexible, and dynamic and consequently less able to take advantage of its opportunities.
In a tight labour market people experiencing disadvantage face multiple barriers to employment, economic security and financial wellbeing. These include caring responsibilities, lack of transport, unaffordable housing, inadequate social security, and a lack of childcare. They also face social structures of inequality which are embedded in gender, disability and race.
Decent work and economic security
BSL’s research looks at what is needed to create inclusive, decent work and examines how policies can help or hinder people’s economic security.
Our Financial Wellbeing in Uncertain Times series explores how financial wellbeing interacts with long-term structural drivers of inequality and insecurity. Individual exposure to risk has increased as work has become less secure, and the social safety net has been weakened. Understanding patterns of financial wellbeing is critical to ensuring Australians are resilient against financial distress in times of crisis.
Reflecting on our longitudinal Life Chances Study , the BSL Talks Webinar series presented Not just boomers vs millennials: life chances and intergenerational equity where a panel of experts discussed the social, economic and cultural contexts and policies that enable or impede equity and economic security. Our report Return to the family safety net? Economic security as Life Chances participants turn 30 observes a noticeable trend of young people needing to rely more on family resources. Of course, families have always provided support, but a policy that relies on such support entrenches inequities, as not all families can provide the same level of support. A persistent thread was gendered patterns of care and work forcing people into roles as a result of policy, therefore working against equality.
A special International Women's Day edition of BSL Talks Enabling women’s economic security in 2022 ... and beyond examined what is needed now and in the future to tackle the persistent gender pay gap, unequal responsibility for paid and unpaid work, and inadequate and punitive social security system. Women have been hit hard by the pandemic with increased demands for unpaid caring, home-schooling and loss of income due to job losses or loss of hours in feminised sectors and occupations like hospitality and retail. To build a brighter future for women we need to invest in policies that recognise the intersections of childcare, housing, social security, jobs, education and training.
Employment
Over the next decade we will see a much greater focus on what businesses – not just governments - are doing to address vulnerability and poverty, boost economic and social participation, and ensure their operations look like, and support, the communities they serve.
In May the Victorian Corrections Minister, Natalie Hutchins and Northern Metropolitan Legislative Council member Sheena Watt visited our First Jobs Project in Flemington to hear how it supports young people with employment and training. Our team was joined by four students who talked about how the program has assisted them to transition to their first jobs. The program has helped 20 secondary and post-secondary students in Flemington social housing find their first jobs. The program’s success has led to renewed funding from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, and the extension of the program to young people in North Melbourne’s social housing.
Our Jobs Victoria Employment Services (JVES) program is a good example of hiring based on cultural responsiveness (for example our JVES participants speak over 30 languages) and we actively promote women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to decision-making roles. We hire our volunteers and participants, and they connect with other programs in BSL. We have expanded our JVES program to reach more people, from three offices to nine with twelve outreach offices, and recently added Jobs Advocates who help jobseekers around Melbourne find the right support in their search for employment. Our Jobs Advocates work closely with jobseekers to provide training options, helpful resources and referrals to programs and services.
Over the past financial year, there were over 1,000 women engaged in the First Jobs and JVES programs and on their way to accessing decent, paid work.
Financial wellbeing
BSL also delivers Australia’s longest-running financial education and matched savings program, Saver Plus , which has a special focus on low-income Australian families. Saver Plus is funded by the Federal Government and ANZ. Our delivery partners include Berry Street and The Smith Family. Over the past financial year, Saver Plus has supported 3,415 low-income Australian families and individuals to develop and maintain savings habits. Those who complete the program have their savings matched up to $500 for education expenses or children’s education expenses. In 2023 we will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Saver Plus and the thousands of people assisted.
Mohammed engineers a career through Given the Chance
At BSL we are seeing huge interest in our Given the Chance (GTC) program, which works directly with businesses like ANZ Bank and Arup design firm to build career pathways for jobseekers marginalised in the job market. With GTC, employers can grow and diversify their workforce, foster social benefits and inclusion in workplace communities, and meet their social procurement objectives. This past financial year our actual placements exceeded the targets set by 20%.
Mohammed applied for over 200 jobs before GTC found him a permanent role as a civil engineer at Arup design firm.
View Mohammed’s story:
Please Note: Subtitles are available for above video in options
Learn more about how we support people to find work: https://www.bsl.org.au/services/getting-a-job/