Thousands of Australians locked out of employment as entry-level jobs dry up, survey suggests

Thousands of Australians have been locked out of the job market and trapped in unemployment for years as entry-level jobs slowly disappear and no longer meet demand.

These barriers includes people without experience or qualifications, people with disabilities, older Australians, and people re-entering the workforce after a long break.

Nearly half of all job vacancies require a tertiary education or at least three years experience, reflecting a shift towards a job market that requires more advanced skills, the report said.

Sonia, a 41-year-old mother living in Adelaide, said she has spent the past four years searching for work. She completed a Tafe course in retail, but has been rejected from every job she has applied for and fears it is because of her age.

She said the stress of being required to apply for 20 jobs every month, while trying to support her child on below-poverty-level income support payments pushed her mental health to breaking point. She has recently been approved for the disability support pension because of her mental health challenges.

The report found the ratio was worst in Tasmania where on average six people with barriers are competing against 30 others for an entry-level job.

This is closely followed by South Australia, where Sonia lives. On average three people with barriers are competing against 20 others.

The snapshot collected government data on the number of people with barriers to gaining work in the employment services system and compared it to the number of suitable job vacancies that were advertised during the month of June.

Alongside urging a re-think of the program, the report recommended increasing Jobseeker payments so people can focus on searching for jobs rather than trying to survive on below-poverty-level payments.

It also said the government should consider creating pathways for entry-level jobs in industries where workers are in demand, such as disability and aged care.