Can't Find Work? Maybe It's 'Cos 106 Applicants Are Going for Each Entry-Level Job

That’s… not great.

You don’t need a report to tell you that it’s hard out there for a jobseeker (even with JobSeeker).

But Anglicare Australia went and made one anyway, to highlight just how difficult things are for disadvantaged jobseekers in particular.

Here's How Cuts to JobSeeker Will Impact All Aussies

'Disadvantaged jobseekers' includes those who have barriers to work, including those who "lost their jobs later in life, people who didn't finish year 12, or people with disabilities."

And according to their Jobs Availability Snapshot 2020, there are eight disadvantaged jobseekers competing for each entry-level job, and in some parts of the country, like Tasmania, that number rises to 20.

Of course, as the Snapshot points out, that assumes only disadvantaged jobseekers are competing for the same roles, when in reality, they are facing competition from all those looking for work (a number that has skyrocketed in 2020 because… 2020).

It turns out "a staggering 106 jobseekers" are competing for each entry-level job, many of whom are not eligible for the government’s new JobMaker scheme.

And if this wasn’t depressing enough, there are 1.63 million Australians who are classified as "underemployed", and many of them could be competing for these positions as well.

"Many of the jobseekers we’re looking at are older people who have been left out of the JobMaker scheme," explained Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers.

"They’re facing cuts to their payments, and they’re being forced to jump through hoops and apply for jobs. But our research shows the jobs just aren’t there."

"We need to abolish Jobactive, which simply isn’t helping people find work. Instead private providers are paid to punish and breach people," she added.

"And we need to stop cuts to the JobSeeker payment. Record numbers of people are out of work. They shouldn’t be trapped in poverty while they get their lives together."

You can read the full Jobs Availability Snapshot 2020 here.