Local Federal MP Bruce Billson today announced that Avocare has been selected to deliver the new Work for the Dole Coordinator services for the Mornington Peninsula.

The Government is committed to a reinvigorated Work for the Dole programme which helps young job seekers remain active and engaged while looking for work while at the same time giving something back to the community that supports them.

Work for the Dole gives job seekers the opportunity to learn new skills and demonstrate to potential employers that they are keen and willing to work.

Our new Work for the Dole programme will include a mix of individual and group based projects in community organisations such as not for profit organisations and local councils.”

Mr Billson said Avocare will serve as the first point of contact for organisations along the Mornington Peninsula wishing to be involved in Work for the Dole and help match job seekers to available places.

I strongly believe that the best form of welfare is a job. The worst thing we can do as a Government and as a nation is to allow our young people to drift into welfare dependency,” Mr Billson said.

In addition to Work for the Dole, the Government is supporting young job seekers through the new Job Commitment Bonus that provides a financial bonus to young job seekers who move off welfare and stay in a job and investing $5.1 billion in a new employment services system to help more job seekers into work.

I congratulate Avocare and welcome their commitment to Work for the Dole and helping more job seekers into work in our region.

From 1 July 2014, the Government has rolled out new Work for the Dole arrangements for job seekers aged 18-30 for the Mornington Peninsula.

Further information on Work for the Dole can be obtained via www.employment.gov.au/work-dole.