Australian gov't announces major changes to system for job-seekers

The Australian government announced on Wednesday the biggest overhaul of the nation's unemployment services in two decades.

Kelly O'Dwyer, the minister for jobs and industrial relations, said in a media release on Wednesday that the government would make sweeping changes to the 1.3-billion-Australian dollar (920 million U.S. dollars) per year employment system, Jobactive, in the lead-up to May's general election.

Under the changes, the majority of Jobactive services will be delivered via a digital platform for both employers and job-seekers.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the new system would be more targeted to individual needs.

"It's a more flexible plan which is giving people more tools, both those helping people find jobs and help people looking for jobs," he said in an appearance on Network Seven television.

The government will also abolish the requirement that job-seekers receiving unemployment benefits apply for 20 jobs every month in order to continue receiving welfare.

While the number of applications being lodged by users will continue to be monitored, the system will also take into account whether job-seekers are engaging in volunteering, work experience opportunities or training.

"Our changes are the most extensive shake-up of employment services in 20 years, empowering job seekers who are job-ready and prioritizing support for those who face the greatest barriers," O'Dwyer said on Wednesday.

"Whilst the government's employment services system, Jobactive, has performed better than its predecessor programs and achieved strong results in getting people off welfare and into work, with almost 1.3 million job placements since July 2015, we want to see even more Australians enter meaningful, long-term work."