Earn or Learn is a clear pathway forward for those finishing formal schooling. It is positive, full of opportunity and this is how we want school kids to feel – positive about their future.

When the easiest option is to sign up for welfare, there is no incentive to do otherwise. We need to create the right incentives.

Arguably for at least a generation, students have been prepared early to be looking out for their first job or for ongoing training. So the cries from some quarters that young people are being left high and dry by being required to Earn Or Learn at the end of school are incorrect. Our school leavers are well prepared to make that choice. 

We well understand that real jobs need to be available so that young people can earn a living.  It is the Government’s firm focus to lay the groundwork for businesses to again start hiring employees – removing red tape, removing imposts like the carbon tax, injecting funding into small business advisory services to help small businesses grow, targeting competitiveness,  and most importantly opening up new markets into which businesses can expand. These are all part of the Government’s pledge to create two million jobs in 10 years. 

The government also understands there can be barriers to finding and keeping a job - but we want to reward those young people who find work and stick with it. 

Young job seekers who have been on Newstart or Youth Allowance (as a job seeker) for 12 months, can receive an incentive payment of $6500 if they get a job and stay off welfare for 24 months. The Job Commitment Bonus is a real incentive to get into paid work.

Up to $6000 is available to eligible job seekers if they move to a regional area to take up a job. Up to $3000 is available if you’re moving to a capital city. Job seekers with dependent children could also be provided with an extra $3000 to help cover additional relocation costs. 

Work for the Dole has started up in a number of regional centres. It’s not local yet, but will be rolled out from July next year across Australia. This involves job seekers doing work for not-for-profit organisations, or with local, state or Federal Government agencies. It’s all about picking up job readiness skills and showing potential employers you are keen and ready for paid work.

Those of us with children in senior secondary school know the pressure that is on young people to step up fast into the adult world. As parents of four with two in secondary and two in primary school, Louise and I, like many others - are looking years ahead for tertiary study options and career paths for our children. 

But not for one minute would we want them giving up before they’ve begun.

Welfare should be a safety net for those who most need it, including our young people. But it should not be their very first option.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor.