The Federal Government will assist people on JobSeeker across the country, to get a driver’s licence to help address a significant barrier to entering the workforce.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey in welcoming the decision, said the cost of attaining a driver’s license can be prohibitive for many people looking for employment, particularly in regional areas, where no license can mean no job.
“People looking for work will be able to access increased support for driving lessons through their Jobactive provider to help them complete the required hours to get their driver’s licence,” he said.
“In addition to the increased assistance for driving lessons, Jobactive employment service providers can also support job seekers with other travel costs such as public transport and fuel.”
With nearly one third of the Jobactive caseload currently not holding a driver’s licence, around 330,000 individuals may be eligible for the support nationally.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert said the assistance would be particularly helpful for people living in outer-suburban and regional areas who need to travel greater distances to get to their place of employment or training.
“A critical part of succeeding at an interview or at a new job is being able to travel to and from work easily— which is why I have directed this change to ensure job seekers are able to more easily travel safely to training, interviews or to start a new job or apprenticeship,” he said.
“As we continue to suppress the virus, getting as many Australians into work as possible is critical to securing our economic recovery, and helping job seekers get a driver’s licence will increase their independence and mobility as well as boosting their prospects for getting into work.”
Driving lessons in Australia can be cost prohibitive for many Australians generally costing between $55 and $70 an hour. Driver’s licence fees vary by state and by licence level. This change supports all Australians, regardless of where they live.
For more information on the range of support available to job seekers, visit: www.jobsearch.gov.au
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 62774967
August 31, 2021
