The Federal Government has abandoned plans to force jobseekers to apply for 40 positions a month.
The government’s proposal to double the job application target for Newstart Allowance recipients was widely criticised as punitive for jobseekers and an administrative nightmare for businesses.
Employment Minister Eric Abetz said the government had listened to the public feedback and the status quo of 20 applications would remain.
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“We do understand that for business it would be a burden and it might diminish the value of job applications,” he told ABC radio.
He maintained it should be the full-time job of the unemployed to gain employment and believes the 40 job application target would not have been too onerous.
The government will extend the work for the dole program.
Those under 30 will have to complete 25 hours a week of the program while older job seekers between age 30 and 50 will have to complete 15 hours.
