Have your say

The Australian Government is reforming employment services to better meet the needs of individuals, employers, communities and the economy.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (the department) is consulting on the detailed design of the future mainstream employment service.

We are seeking your feedback to help shape key policy and program settings for that future service.

The department released the Shaping the future of employment services Discussion Paper on 27 May 2026.

The discussion paper sets out the government’s vision for a reformed employment services system and the case for change. It provides an overview of a new employment service built around three service streams to better match support to people’s needs, and seeks feedback on key elements of the design, including:

• how participants are assessed and move between services

• the role of mutual obligations in supporting engagement and progression

• how employment services can better meet employer needs

• provider incentives, capability and commissioning arrangements.

For further information, visit the webpage Employment services reform.

Submissions closed at 5:00pm AEST on Friday 31 July 2026