A 120km drive to job agency: confusion reigns over Australia’s jobseeker requirements, union says

Australian Unemployed Workers Union survey reveals challenges for those seeking work, from lack of information to unreasonable demands

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Jobseekers have reported broad confusion about the new Workforce Australia system - including among the employment consultants tasked with running it - with some asked to drive more than 120km to job agency appointments.

Hundreds of respondents to a survey conducted by the Australian Unemployed Workers Union (AUWU) this month listed issues they'd faced during the transition to the $1.5bn-a-year scheme, which replaced Jobactive at the start of the month.