Single mother says she had to miss paid work to attend ParentsNext appointment

While the scheme has been reformed since it was rolled out nationally in 2018, single mothers interviewed by Guardian Australia say many problems remain.

It echoes complaints from a jobseeker in the new $7bn Workforce Australia program interviewed by Guardian Australia last month who also fielded requests from atWork to attend appointments, despite working full-time hours.

On another occasion Ramage said she was hassled by a consultant, who asked her to attend a face-to-face appointment shortly after a major surgery.

AtWork Australia declined to comment, referring questions to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

Another participant, Cheryl*, said she was contacted by her ParentsNext provider when her son was nine months old.

Cheryl, who lives in regional South Australia, said she was told by her consultant her options were doing playgroup sessions in the nearest major town or signing up to an education course.

Cheryl said she had been running her own business and planned to return to this once her son was older. She already had a certificate three in business and did not need to complete a separate education course, as her consultant had insisted.

A department spokesperson declined to comment on the individual cases.

ParentsNext providers can claim an outcome payment of $600 if a person completes an eligible education course. An audit revealed by Guardian Australia found nearly 60% of these claims were invalid.

Supporters say the scheme has helped parents prepare to return to work when their children reach school age.

The current ParentsNext contracts expire in 2024.

* Not her real name

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