As part of its 2006/07 budget, the Federal Government has pledged $2.7 million towards insurance for job-seekers on work experience, paying accident and personal liability insurance for 70,000 job-seekers for the next four years.

Workforce Participation Minister Sharman Stone says most unpaid work experience leads to full-time work, and the issue of accident and personal liability during the trial has often been left outstanding.

“Too often, concerns about the costs of workers’ compensation for some disadvantaged groups put unnecessary constraints on the chances of job-seekers gaining valuable real world exposure to the workplace,” Dr Stone said.

Job-seekers will continue to receive income support payments while in short-term work experience that could lead to a long-term job.