Australia’s job market is facing a harsh reality: entry-level jobs are disappearing at an alarming rate, leaving many job seekers struggling. New research paints a grim picture, with the odds of finding entry-level work growing slimmer. What’s causing this shift, and how can the system be fixed?
A Grim Picture of Job Availability
The annual Jobs Availability Snapshot from Anglicare Australia paints a dismal picture of Australia’s job market. It found that for every entry-level job vacancy, there are 39 people actively seeking work. This is up from 35 last year, showing a worrying trend. And here’s the kicker: 25 of those 39 job seekers have been receiving JobSeeker payments for over a year, meaning they face significant barriers to work—whether it’s due to partial ability to work, language barriers, or other challenges. The reality is that even the most determined job seekers are being left behind in a system that isn’t designed to support them.
Anglicare Australia’s executive director, Kasy Chambers, emphasized to SBS that this year’s snapshot reflects the worst figures they’ve seen in the 10 years of producing this report. She noted that as long-term unemployment rises, those who have been out of work for extended periods face even greater difficulties re-entering the job market. “The longer someone is unemployed, the harder it gets to find a job,” Chambers said. It’s not just about training or skills—many of these individuals face deep, systemic disadvantages that make it tough to compete with others in the job market.
The Growing Threat of Automation
Chambers also pointed to the rise of automation and artificial intelligence as factors contributing to the decline of entry-level jobs. With jobs like checkout operators and cashiers disappearing in droves—federal data shows a 20.6% decrease in these positions over the past five years—it’s clear that many lower-wage roles are being taken over by machines. Chambers sees this as a significant threat to those who rely on these types of jobs to get a foot in the door, especially as technology continues to advance and reshape the workforce.
But it’s not just about robots taking over jobs. The issue is deeper than that—long-term unemployed individuals often don’t have access to up-to-date training, and many are competing against others who have fresher skills and connections. And when you’re living on JobSeeker payments, which are less than half the poverty line, it’s hard to stay motivated and focused on finding a job. Chambers argues that the current system is failing people in these circumstances and that reform is urgently needed.
What Needs to Change?
So, what can be done to address this issue? According to Anglicare Australia, the government needs to step in and create more quality entry-level jobs. One area where they see potential is in the care economy, where there is significant room for job creation. There’s a need for more jobs in sectors that support the elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable groups—roles that require empathy, care, and human interaction, rather than automation.
Anglicare also argues that employment services need a major overhaul. The current system, which often involves private companies receiving billions in funding, isn’t working. Chambers shared troubling stories about employment service providers denying job seekers the opportunity to attend interviews because they were sent to irrelevant training sessions instead. “It’s all just a churn of activity,” she said. “But it’s meaningless and doesn’t lead to actual job outcomes.” Employment services should focus on understanding a person’s skills, strengths, and needs, and match them with appropriate roles in the local job market.
Lastly, Chambers emphasized that JobSeeker payments must be lifted above the poverty line to provide people with a decent standard of living while they look for work or undergo training. The current maximum payment of $793.60 a fortnight for a single person is simply not enough for someone to survive on, let alone be productive in their job search.
