Australian Government assists job seekers in getting a driving licence
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In order to help address a significant barrier to those entering the workforce, the Australian Government is providing available assistance for job seekers to get a driving licence.
It has been found that nearly one-third of job seekers on the jobactive caseload had no driving licence. And with being able to travel to and from work easily being a critical part of getting a new job, the assistance was directed to ensure job seekers are able to more easily travel safely to training, interviews or to start a new job or apprenticeship.
Those participating in employment services through a jobactive provider will be eligible to access the increased support for driving lessons. This, in turn, will help them complete the required hours to get their driver’s licence.
Aside from the increased assistance for driving lessons, jobactive employment services providers can also support job seekers with other travel costs such as public transport and fuel.
It is expected that around 330,000 job-seeking 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.
“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,” Minister Robert said.
“Our jobs plan, outlined in the recent Budget, is to connect people with jobs today and upskill our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow—today’s change contributes to the Morrison Government’s plan to get all Australians who should be working into a job.”
Driving lessons within the country can be cost-prohibitive for many Australians as it generally costs between $55 and $70 an hour. Aside from this, driving licence fees vary by state and by licence level.
This provision of assistance in getting a driving licence is expected to support all Australians within the country, no matter where they live.
SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT MEDIA RELEASE
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
