Missing the mark: employer perspectives on employment services and mature age jobseekers in Australia

The last of three reports studying Australia’s jobactive employment program found the service is not working well for mature age jobseekers.

At a glance

The authors found that some employers are cautious about employing mature age workers, while others had a limited awareness of the jobactive service. Employers were found to be wary of candidates referred by public employment services—especially mature age jobseekers, worrying they would be poorly matched. Industry informants said there is a risk that jobactive overpromises and underdelivers to both employers and jobseekers.

Dive deeper

Analysis of 22 interviews with employers, employer groups, policy makers and peak bodies shows the reluctance of employers to use public employment services. They are hesitant to take on applicants who have been unemployed or do not fit their idea of the best fit for their needs. Such concerns need to be addressed, and local economic development fostered, if mature age unemployment is to be tackled effectively.

This study was funded by the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation—Eldon & Anne Foote Trust (Innovation Grant 2015).