1. THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING "WE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM"
3. THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN TOUCH WITH AND TALKING T0 FAMILY AND FRIENDS
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING ACTIVE, DOING THINGS AND PROTESTING
Many of us have had so many knocks that you get too tired. I’m doing a participation plan with a Job Network. You go in and answer 180-200 questions. I was 20 years underground, mining, before I got injured. The Job Network Provider referred me to a training course in Information Technology. I felt really stupid. A month later the Job Network said I wasn’t the only one getting down in the dumps. I felt stupid sitting around so I thought I’d better go and talk to someone.
You have to find the fighting thing inside you.
I’d like to try bungee jumping; I wouldn’t care if the cord broke.
I believe in my right to a benefit. I worked for 41 years – a long time. It’s there to help people along. We feel we’ve earned our keep. We’ve paid our taxes.
1. THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING "WE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM"
If the Government was really concerned about unemployment they wouldn't be cutting jobs. I have an understanding that unemployment is not caused by me. Participant, George Town
I know that if the work were there I would have a job. Other people have no cause to judge you. Participant Huon Valley
We live in a sea of lies. The unemployment figures! They keep the unemployment figures down by pushing people into study. Participant, Hobart
People who are unemployed work hard at not allowing "self-blame" to take over their lives. This hard work means developing a strong sense of their own rights as citizens of this country. It also means having a political understanding of the cause of unemployment, that "unemployment is not caused by me" and that "my unemployment is not my fault". As one participant said
"seeing so many other people at Centrelink who are in the same boat –
then I opened my eyes up and realized".
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I believe in my right to a benefit. I worked for 41 years – a long time. It’s there to help people along. We feel we’ve earned our keep. We’ve paid our taxes. Participant, Hobart
Australia needs a pool of unemployed to keep the wages down. I feel sorry for the poor sods who are doing crap jobs to stay on the treadmill or for those not doing ethical or fulfilling jobs. Participant Huon Valley
I work hard to remain a proud unemployed person. Participant Huon Valley
You can't call me a dole bludger because I've put my money in. I've worked for 30 plus years. Participant, George Town
Globalisation will mean more and more unemployment and this Government supports it. Global capital and the mega rich are causing it. Participant, Hobart
Understanding and knowing what’s happening to cause unemployment helps. Knowing it’s just about money gets me annoyed. I got fired even though none of it was my fault. How easy it is to lose everything. Knowing exactly what happened has helped me. Participant, Hobart
Tassie is so small. It’s so much about networks. It’s so hard to be so close to getting a job, down to the last 2 or 3. I don’t think it’s that expensive to give people a call and say sorry that I didn’t get it. It’s just pure politeness. It’s not personal for me anymore. I don’t let feelings get into it. Participant, Hobart
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR JOBS DESPITE THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE CONSTANT KNOCK BACKS.
Over the past weeks, I applied for over 45 different jobs and I haven't heard back from one. Participant, Hobart
I did a 7-week forestry course with the promise of work but nothing came of it and that was 3 years ago. Participant Huon Valley
A lot of suicides happen because people are bored and don't know what to do and how they are going to survive - when bills come in, it all adds up. Participant, George Town
It is difficult, if not well nigh impossible, for those who are comfortably and permanently in the work force, to imagine the battering effects on a person who receives constant job seeking knock-backs. For every job vacancy in Tasmania, there are 15 job seekers. But with persistence and courage, they continually seek work – not only because they are required to, but also because they want work
"I’m applying for 2-3 jobs a day".
Perhaps it is easier to understand how at times their persistence and courage wears thin:
"the anti-depressants keep me going. I wouldn’t survive without them.
They stop you breaking".
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Each morning I get up and look up the jobs on the Net. Participant, Hobart
I ask around and keep asking – someone might know of something, someone might give you a hand. Participant, Hobart
Stories of jobs in forestry give you false hope. There’s part-time seasonal work only. Participant Huon Valley
I really have to think hard for an inspirational story. Young people don’t volunteer because they can’t afford it. It’s not a positive experience for young people to do charity work. Participant Huon Valley
Over the past weeks, I applied for over 45 different jobs and I haven’t heard back from one.
In the public sector, I’ve applied for at least 60 jobs. They are not flash jobs, and all I get is standard letters acknowledging receipt of application and nothing more is heard. Participant, Hobart
Technology will be the ruin of us as casuals. The more you think it out the worse it gets. Being unemployed and looking for work can easily lead to problems with alcohol. Participant Huon Valley
I could contribute more, but the system has given me low self-esteem; it makes you feel like not bothering to try. Participant Huon Valley
Unemployment puts you in a rut that is hard to get out of. You need a strong mind and a strong will but you still get down. Participant Huon Valley
Anti-depressants keep me going. So does alcohol. Participant, Hobart
I did a computer course and by the end I wasn’t scared of computers any more. I keep doing a bit each day and that feels good. Participant, Hobart
Interstate jobs have been offered but you need to be there and be able to start straight away. Participant, Hobart
After a time, after years and years I don’t try to resist – I escape, smoke dope and live in my own head, indulge myself however I can on limited funds. Participant Huon Valley
I’m on anti-depressants because I can’t handle dealing with Centrelink. My husband helps. I get by one day at a time. I try not to think of too many things at once. I don’t do much housework anymore. Participant, George Town
I’m still seeking work. I won’t do volunteer work – I’ve done that. There’s satisfaction in the social aspect of volunteer work, but money is needed as well. Participant, George Town
3. THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING IN TOUCH WITH AND TALKING TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Talking about it is important. It needs resistance. Participant, Huon Valley
If you have no- one, that's when the doubts creep in. Participant, George Town
My son helps me. You talk to friends. Participant, Hobart
While social isolation, including the loss of friends and stress on family life and relationships are chief among the negative effects of being out of work, people who are unemployed value highly the need to "stay in touch", especially with family and friends. These are the ones above all to whom they turn for support. As one participant said
"if you can’t tell your family and friends what’s troubling you,
then why bother at all".
The isolation that unemployment causes can be crippling
"You need to be able to talk"
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It is vital to maintain communications with family and friends. I also talk with people on the internet that I haven’t met before. Participant, George Town
Families are pretty good. They help you out as much as they can – if not with money then cooking for you or doing things for you. Participant, George Town
With Dad, when we are by ourselves, we can talk about anything. Participant, George Town
For me, it’s by my involvement in family and community. If it wasn’t for them you’d go bonkers. You need to have family and friends for support. Participant, George Town
We socialize with family and go to their places. You can’t go out for a meal or anything. You just socialize with family and friends. Participant, George Town
You’ve got to tell people the situation. You tell your stories to your friends. Participant Huon Valley
You hang out with friends, stay in your own circle, and then you don’t cop shit. You find out who your real friends are. You bitch to your friends. Participant Huon Valley
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING ACTIVE, DOING THINGS AND PROTESTING
I keep accomplishing things and doing things. Unemployed people are working, but just not getting paid for it. Participant, George Town It helps to be constantly and actively opposed to the label "unemployed" because we have an abundance of ideas and a wealth of wisdom and knowledge. Participant, Hobart You have to find the fighting thing inside you. Participant Huon Valley
The label "dole-bludger" is perhaps the most hurtful, most damaging and cruelest label of all. It is also the label that is thrown most often at people who are out of work. Yet is a label that is born out of ignorance and nourished by misconception and falsehood, and on the whole is a huge miscarriage of justice.
"I often get angered and outraged".
These people are active people. And for many, protesting the injustices they are being subjected to is part of that activity
"the power of protesting daily gives energy to every day".
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I keep going to the Job Networks because I like beating them. I won’t put up with their shit. A lot of things they ring up about are shit. They just ring to justify their jobs. Participant, George Town
I go to Social Security and tell them about it, they get sick of my political beliefs. Then I go to the bank and tell them about their bank fees. Participant, Hobart
Comedy and cynicism helps and so does swearing at the radio and watching The Minister for Employment and getting outraged. Participant Huon Valley
Protesting to a politician helps me. Participant Huon Valley
You thumb your nose at the system. If I have to deceive the system, then I will. Participant Huon Valley
We get bits and pieces of work. Participant, George Town
I grow vegies, slaughter a beast every now and then and sell it to friends.
Participant, George Town
I go out into the bush and cut house wood. Participant, George Town
Out at Lefroy they built a big log clubroom. We helped build a big clubroom out there. We spent 4 –5 weekends in a row. We got nothing out of it but they asked us for a hand so we did. We quite enjoyed it. Participant, George Town
Volunteer work is the only time I speak to others - otherwise I'm alone all day. Participant Huon Valley
I keep busy so I don't end up in the "nut house". Participant, George Town
I walk and read books and do gardening. Participant, George Town
I, at 52, joined the elderly citizens. It means that I belong to a group of people. Participant, George Town
I play in a rock band. We have put out a CD, but the Government won’t allow us to sell it – we have to register with a business number. Participant, George Town – mature age male
I keep busy – in the garden and wash windows. Participant Huon Valley
I keep myself occupied. It was hard when I moved out of home; it was hard to keep afloat. High rental prices don’t help. Participant Huon Valley
You need to know you have skills. Courses help confidence. Now I help neighbours after doing a course in welding. Participant Huon Valley
I go fishing. I don’t sit around. I get out and about. I do volunteer work. I keep busy.
Participant Huon Valley
I meditate and do volunteer work. I accomplish things around the house and I walk. Participant, Hobart
By doing things you have a sense of working even though you’re not being paid for it. Participant, Hobart
I do a lot of reading. Again, this is a sort of accomplishment. I make quilts and do woodwork. Participant, Hobart
I knock out walls and paint the house and work in the garden. I go to the tip shop and do the stuff up. Participant, Hobart
I do things with my daughter and see her involved in things. But then I have to guide her into things that I can afford. There is peer pressure for her to do more expensive things and that is really hard. Participant, Hobart
Volunteer work helps although it’s not considered real work. Participant, Hobart
I look at new things to do. I do what I can for other people. Participant, Hobart
I go into the garden and grow my own food. It's like there is a God when I go into the garden. Participant Huon Valley
I do volunteer work. It makes you feel you are giving something back and you get out of the house. It makes you feel useful, but it’s free. Participant Huon Valley
You don’t let things get to you. You do a course at TAFE – you get qualifications, meet others, get back into the community, get confidence and get your self-esteem back. Participant Huon Valley
I’m a keen bush walker. That’s when I can put it in the back of my mind. It’s a release and gives me a sense of accomplishment so I don’t feel so useless. Participant Huon Valley
I started a vegetable garden –for fun and out of necessity. It was a release. It helps you get your mind off it and it’s creative. It saves money and might also make money. Participant Huon Valley
5. THE IMPORTANCE OF HANGING ONTO HOPE, FINDING THE POSITIVES, STAYING POSITIVE AND ALL THE TIME CONTRIBUTING
I have 8 grand children who adore me. They don't look at nanny and see an unemployed person. They see nanny. How can I let them down? I won't let them see that it gets to me. Participant, Hobart
You don't have an employer who owns your soul and your lounge suite. You're free. Participant, Huon Valley
I don't see myself as unemployed. I'm someone who is waiting to make their next million. Participant, Hobart
People who are without work spoke constantly of the importance of hanging onto self-esteem if their lives were not going to be ravaged by unemployment. Their stories were frequently stories of hope and belief in the future.
"If you let yourself go you can sink. You need to be strong minded to survive".
And again
"there is always someone out there in a worse situation than you".
When surrounded by every reason to despair, the response invariably was
"I don’t sit around feeling sorry for myself".
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Things can only get better - at the moment. Participant, Huon Valley
I hang on to self-esteem with the help of family and friends; I live on fresh air and noodles, doing what I can – I grow veggies, get wood and get bits and pieces of work. Participant, George Town
I believe that there’s going to be change and change for the better. Participant, George Town
I rely on family, friends and hope – I just battle on and one day things are going to come your way. Participant, George Town
My faith keeps me going. Participant, George Town
I love it here. Tassie’s got everything (great beaches - great people - great wilderness) except work . Participant, George Town
You take one day at a time – little steps. I work on one problem at a time. Participant, George Town
I know I can do what I can do. I brush it off. Participant, George Town
If you let it get to you, you would end up clinically depressed. Participant, Huon Valley
I keep my mind occupied – thinking about other things – especially other than about problems. Participant, George Town
I get up early and crash out early. Participant, Huon Valley
You get to the stage that it’s been like this for so long that you accept your situation.
Participant, Huon Valley
I refuse to get sucked in by material values – that who you are is your job.
Participant, Huon Valley
I keep alive an alternative value system. Participant, Huon Valley
Never lose sight, never lose face, drink and smoke heaps and everything will be OK. Participant, Huon Valley
There are advantages in not getting caught up in the treadmill of life. Being unemployed does allow for creativity. Participant, Huon Valley
I feel good about being able to live on so little. Participant, Huon Valley
I believe that the employed feel lucky and therefore are empathetic of our situation.
Participant, Huon Valley
I accept unemployment. But I get on with my life. Participant, Huon Valley
The solution is with me. I will keep contributing to society. I believe that on an average wage I would be worse off than on the dole. Participant, Huon Valley
I believe everyone has to be honoured in some way. Participant, Huon Valley I wish I could be an animal in the bush. Participant, Huon Valley
I feel lucky about where I live being unemployed. I use food money to buy small things that give me a lift, e.g. incense. Participant, Huon Valley
I’m learning to let my hair down in spite of everything. I say, "stuff it" - why do I have to worry about it all the time? Participant, Huon Valley
I’ve had a lot worse things than unemployment happen in my life. I take responsibility for me. I’m not prepared to take on someone’s perspective of me. Participant, Hobart
As an older generation we’re lucky to have been through good employment times. Young people haven’t had that. Participant, Hobart
They [Centrelink] can't assess me in 5 minutes and think they know me. Participant, Hobart
I have good self-esteem and that’s based on my experiences in the past. Participant, Hobart
I say, "up ‘em". We are as good as anyone else. Participant, Hobart
We keep helping each other out – for example, I drive the young bloke to work. I give support and transport. Participant, Hobart
I do other things and look at different ways of keeping my self-esteem up. Paid work doesn’t have to be everything, it doesn’t have to define me as a person and it can’t be my whole existence or I’d be dead. It would strip you of all of your identity. For me, I have to look at other parts of my life to define me and that helps me. That’s one way that I’ve gone about keeping my identity. I still really want paid work but it’s not the only thing in my life. Participant, Hobart
I'm not going to be thrown out on the rubbish heap. It's who you are, not what you do. Participant, Hobart
Being unemployed tests who you are. I am hoping I will come out the other end stronger. Each time something happens to you, you get stronger. Participant, Hobart
I look back at what I have done, at my achievements at university. Participant, Hobart
With creative budgeting, I look at how I could get ahead. Participant, Hobart
It helps not having a boss to boss you. Participant, Hobart
I imagine having a tiny shack by the sea to retire to. It’s a perspective thing. Work is not the totality. Participant, Hobart
There's an inner strength in everyone. Participant, Hobart
THE STORIES AND EXPERIENCES OF DEALING WITH THE JOB NETWORK PROVIDERS
1. BEING PUSHED AROUND BY THE JOB NETWORKS
2. THE JOB NETWORKS ARE NOT GETTING US JOBS
THE OLD SYSTEM WORKED BETTER
3. WORK FOR THE DOLE AND INTENSIVE ASSISTANCE
4. THE ENDLESS MERRY-GO-ROUND OF
JOB TRAINING, JOB HUNTING AND JOB INTERVIEWSIn a state where there are 15 Job Seekers for every job advertised, the lot of the Job Network Providers is never going to be easy. Providers cannot squash 15 into 1 without leaving the flesh of 14 torn and their raised hopes slashed, yet again. And for most, it is "yet again" because this is the treadmill job seekers are required to constantly walk. There is no getting off this treadmill and there is a sense of futility and frustration when on it: it leads to nowhere other than always coming back to the same starting point. Job seekers are still without the work they want and they are still looking for the work they want. There are not enough jobs to go around.
No matter how much the Job Network Providers would want it to be different, people who are unemployed and looking for work see and often experience the Job Network Providers as being closely aligned to Centrelink, as yet another Government agency set up to harass and police them. As one person said
"It soon stops feeling like help and starts feeling like harassment".
Every Job Network had its supporter from amongst the unemployed people and case-managers were often singled out for their support, helpfulness, understanding and preparedness to bend the rules. Typical of the personal experiences of some job seekers is the following, while for others this is far from the norm.
"I really like being on Intensive Assistance, its one-on-one and we have become mates. She keeps in contact and we have a real rapport. She’s really positive. It always makes me feel better when I come out of there, I always have a smile on my face after seeing her. I still haven’t got a job yet but they are good".
Yet no matter how good the personal relationship is with the case manager, no matter how supportive, helpful and understanding, the sting is still in the tail:
"I still haven’t got a job yet".
Job Network Providers have to meet the requirements of their Government contracts. They are businesses to be run. Staff have to be paid. Job seekers see themselves as being the cogs of these businesses, numbers being crunched like cogs that turn the wheel. The requirements being constantly made of them in this process are described as being
"tiresome, frustrating and futile".
And the rewards they reap from this "constant futile and burdensome process" is a "benefit" that keeps them below the Poverty Line.
Grim, and indeed at times gruesome, are the stories they tell of their experiences with the Job Network Providers yet they still lack the more despairing qualities of Centrelink stories. These are their stories.
1. BEING PUSHED AROUND BY THE JOB NETWORKS
Being told by young people in their 20's how to run your life and that "you could be doing more" is insulting. Participant, Hobart
We're just like little kids, drawing things on paper, filling stuff in when we go to the Job Networks. I can read, but I can't write. They gave me a book and told me to fill it in. I just couldn't do it. Participant, George Town
I feel like they are always at you and it implies that I am failing and it is my fault that I don't have a job, like I must be doing something wrong. Participant, Huon Valley
Job Networks don’t keep you informed or respond to you. Their efforts at matching individuals to jobs are poor. Unemployed people should be able to evaluate and scrutinise the process. Participant, Huon Valley
The people who were sympathetic are no longer a part of the system. Participant, Huon Valley
They tell you not to put "labourer" on your form, but I am a labourer. Participant, George Town
There is so much pressure on staff. It’s hard to be optimistic when they talk to you. Rules have got tighter. A staff member said to me, "this is a business operation now, it’s hard to give you much". Participant, Huon Valley
I arranged an appointment through my Job Network with an Occupational Psychologist and made a special effort to get to Hobart but he didn’t show up. Participant, Huon Valley
They want the"right" people to fill the "right" jobs. Participant, Hobart
My Job Network Provider gave me these forms to fill in. If you were good at reading and writing it would be OK. There was a bloke there that could do all that really fast but it would take me hours. You were given a stack of cards this thick - 3 inches. If the woman stayed with me and explained the question I could answer it, but then she would go and I couldn't understand the next question. You'd have to be a genius for that to get you a job. It's not going to get me a truck driving job. Participant, George Town
I was really sick recently and the Job Network provider rang up and had several jobs they wanted me to apply for but they didn’t care that I was sick and couldn’t do it. Participant, Hobart
The old system was much better, simpler and more effective. You gave the employer information. This new Job Network system is just more scary. It’s just aimed at making it harder for people. It’s not approachable anymore. Staff turnover means changes. All the negatives are emphasized: Catch the cheat and look for a scapegoat. Rich politicians and Ministers – they make my skin crawl. They are obviously wealthy and they talk about what‘s best for the unemployed. You must be joking! Participant, Hobart
The older you are the harder it is. I haven’t worked in a job, except as self-employed, since 1990. Once you’re 40 years old it’s very difficult to get a job: you’re over qualified; you’re a health risk; you’re a reject; you won’t be with us long because you will retire; "why don’t you sit back and let a younger person have the work?" It’s discrimination. I’ve been on the other side of the desk so I understand their point of view, but it’s not nice to hear it. We have experience and skills. Participant, Hobart
They won't tell you about the jobs you are applying for. I applied for a job and it turned out being for a 16 year old with McDonalds; another time I applied for a store security officer position and later found they wanted a female for a lingerie department but they wouldn't tell me. Participant, Hobart
2. THE JOB NETWORKS ARE NOT GETTING US JOBS THE OLD SYSTEM WORKED BETTER
They really do very little to help find us a job. Participant, Huon Valley
There's a lot of them out there, employment agencies, but they haven't done anything for me. Participant, George Town
The old system of directly connecting you with the employer was better because if you could strike a rapport with an employer you had a chance. Now it's the broker in between and if they don't think you have a good chance, they don't give you a go because there's no money in it for them. Participant, Hobart
The Job Networks are not helping where it’s needed. We need one-on-one assessment and assistance. Participant, Hobart
They always want to put me forward for jobs that I wouldn’t apply for normally, things that I am not trained for. Participant, Hobart
The Job Networks are shithouse. They rang up and I filled forms in and then they rang up and said are you with us? I haven’t heard from them since – that was six to eight months ago. The things they get up to are a waste of time. How to fill out forms, tick boxes – it didn’t really help me. None of us have got any work out of them at all. Participant, George Town
The dole diary is a waste of everyone’s time, the job searcher’s and the Job Network’s. Participant, Hobart
They’re useless for me. I find I know more than they do. I’ve worked in the industry – they’re no good for me. Participant, George Town
They say Job Networks get you jobs, but they can’t anymore. Participant, Huon Valley
There are all these organisations out there now. Their first obligation is to get a job for their client. You’d think they would work in with each other but they seem to compete against each other to get the jobs. Participant, Hobart
They expect you to reapply at places that have already knocked you back. You worry that if you don’t apply they could cut off your payments. Participant, Hobart
They seem to only want to give very basic help, it seems like they can help you with literacy, numeracy and writing a resume but I have a university degree and I can already do those things very well. I need something that is much more advanced to really improve my chances of finding work. It seems that they can only help with a few very basic things but can't really do anything more for people who are highly educated and able to re-write their own resumes. Participant, Hobart
I've had nine contracts since I graduated and they've all been by word of mouth. Participant, Hobart
When asked for help to find a job, they say "just keep looking at the touch screen". I want more than that. Participant, Huon Valley
I have found the Job Network very unhelpful. I’m not getting any feedback or even any acknowledgement that I have registered with them. When I registered I asked to speak to someone to discuss my situation but they said that wasn’t necessary and wouldn’t give me an appointment. They didn’t even acknowledge my registration. I wanted help but they wouldn’t give it to me. But as soon as they think you have done something wrong they will be in contact quick smart. Participant, Hobart
My Job Network Provider hasn’t done anything for me. Case Managers are there to help but they don’t. They don’t get back to you. You have to "bag" them to get a reaction.
Participant, Huon Valley
My case manager tried to push me to do something that fell apart anyway. You have to help yourself if you want to get anywhere. Participant, Huon Valley
The worst thing they ever did was get rid of the CES. Job Network Providers don't contact you. I've been registered with Job Network for six months and have had no contact. I went to a Job Network Provider to get them to fill in my form and they said not to bother because I'm not on Intensive Assistance anymore. Participant, George Town
The CES got me my last job. Participant. George Town
They are constantly phoning me about jobs that are not even vaguely suitable. It’s like they don’t even read up on what your skills are. Participant, Hobart
In the old system I felt appreciative and grateful to society for having that safety net for when I got unemployed. But this is being replaced by all this negativity – making us like vermin, scapegoats. Participant, Hobart
The old system made me feel like I did belong – we were all looking out for each other – but now it’s about making us feel like outsiders. Is there some other way to employ people than put them into Job Network agencies? Participant, Hobart
You fill out a form with each provider, but then you have no more one-to-one contact. It’s forms now. It’s not personal anymore. For someone to "sell" me they need to know me, more than a five minute chat and I need to be able to sell myself. Participant, Hobart
3. WORK FOR THE DOLE and INTENSIVE ASSISTANCE
Work for the Dole makes you time poor and money poor. Participant, Hobart
I think Work for the Dole is like slave labour. Participant, George Town
I've been waiting for intensive assistance for nearly a year now. Participant, Huon Valley
You won’t get me working for the dole. When I do get part-time work, the taxes kill you. They get the unemployed to do things for a mere $20 a fortnight. Work for the Dole is pretty rude. Participant, Huon Valley
There is not enough incentive to Work for the Dole. It’s compulsory, you only get an extra $20 per fortnight, you have to work a certain number of hours per week and all the time they still want you to look for permanent jobs. Participant, Huon Valley
Work for the Dole – it’s almost a stigma, and assumes you’re unemployable otherwise. Participant, Huon Valley
They said they would find me a job on Work for the Dole, but if they want me they can pay me. If I'm working beside people who earn $500 why should I do the same work for $150? The Job Network said do it for the experience. I've been driving trucks for 35 years, longer than any of their drivers. They said, he might give you work. I said, he's known me all my life and if he had work, he'd give it to me. They just don't care. They put you down. Participant, George Town
At the roundabout in Georgetown they had eight people on Work for the Dole weeding the roundabout by hand for two days. It’s humiliating; it could have been done in half an hour by a weed killer. Participant, George Town
On Intensive Assistance, I was offered $100 for a course that cost $350, so I couldn’t do the course, and this is all they have offered in 12 months on Intensive Assistance.
Participant, George Town
For me, Intensive Assistance consisted of a 30 minute interview. There was no feedback and no follow-up. It's finished now; they didn't do anything for me. I'm now back to putting down five jobs per fortnight on my form. Participant, George Town
Intensive assistance is a load of bullshit. Case managers only talk about what they want you to do. It’s not as though you are not trying. Participant, Huon Valley
Meeting job application criteria again and again and again is tiresome, frustrating and futile. Participant, Hobart
I’ve just been put onto Intensive Assistance but my case manager is too busy; I won’t benefit. Participant, Hobart
They just employ people as slick submission writers to rewrite your resume. Participant, Hobart
Job Network can help people who can’t use computers but they couldn’t find anything to offer me - everything they had I’d done and I was up with. Participant, Hobart
In two years on Intensive Assistance I have received nothing - half their money goes on running courses and helping to make you feel good but not actually getting a job. Participant, George Town
The Job Networks decide who will get interviews because they want their fee which they will get if they get people into jobs. Participant, Hobart
When I had my stroke I had the opportunity to go to university, but that wasn’t appropriate, because a stroke affects your memory. So I was sent to rehabilitation. Rehabilitation used me as a project to get back to work as a real estate agent. I was their project - my photo was in the paper and all. Twelve months into that the employer was saying "things are getting tight" because the Government money was running out. It was very demoralizing. If they had asked me what I wanted to do I would have asked if I could have used my lathe to turn stuff out. I could have sold it to the tourist market. Participant, Hobart
Employers get sick of approaches by unemployed people looking for work. . The response is "bugger off, you just want to get your form signed". Others say, "we can’t sign your form it’s against our policy, we go through the Job Network". Participant, Huon Valley
4. THE ENDLESS MERRY-GO-ROUND OF JOB TRAINING, JOB HUNTING AND JOB INTERVIEWS
Job Search Training is not training, it's useless. Participant, Hobart
There is a course called "how to find a job at your age" and another four day course on how to be a "lolli-pop" - at children's crossings. Participant, George Town
You are waiting and waiting for the promised phone calls after interviews, not leaving the house just in case, but there are no calls. It is very disrespectful. Participant, Huon Valley
The last training course I did, I ended up showing them how to do it. I’d go to training if I thought I could benefit. Participant, George Town
It was suggested by the provider that I opt out of intensive assistance because of my age. They thought I was too old to retrain. I don’t need to retrain. I can do most jobs, but no one wants a 58 year old woman. Participant, Hobart
Interviews can be insulting, degrading and offensive, if you don’t have every single skill. Participant, Huon Valley
Twice I was promised petrol vouchers to go to Launceston for job interviews, but I never received them. Plus, you are expected to borrow money to get petrol to go to Launceston, and then get the voucher - and then if the voucher doesn't turn up! Participant, George Town
Job Networks give young people money to go to Hobart for job interviews with Hobart Job Networks, but lots haven’t been to town for years. Every young person is expected to go to at least one other Job Network – this means going to Hobart. Participant, Huon Valley
We can’t afford to get to town for interviews. Participant, George Town
The last job I went for cost me $60 running around, petrol, getting a medical etc and I didn't get it. Participant, Huon Valley
You go to interviews and you know that they can’t say that you are too old but that is what they are thinking. Participant, Hobart
There’s an obligation on employers to respond positively to approaches from the unemployed. Participant, Hobart
Leaving school I thought I could get a job like the generations before me, but the opportunities are not there. You have to be multi-skilled with tickets – but how do you get them?
Participant, Huon Valley
You need a licence to get bus, taxi, forklift jobs. If you are unemployed how can you afford such a huge cost? Participant, Huon Valley
People won’t put you on without skills and you can’t get skills without employment.
Participant, Huon Valley
The number of work places you contact versus the number of responses you get is disgusting. How are you going to keep up your positive attitude if they don't even acknowledge your contact with them? Participant, Hobart
I talk to myself before an interview and really try to be positive but then I get there and think why am I bothering. Participant, Hobart
In Job Search, they don’t count the screen or the newspapers. It has to be four places each fortnight. Businesses get annoyed. Four places a fortnight in George Town? Where are there four labouring places in George Town? Participant, George Town
It’s a waste knocking on doors - all the businesses are registered with Centrelink and the Job Network agencies anyhow. Participant, George Town
Even without job search training or forced job application quotas, the jobs would still be filled. A job one takes is one another doesn’t get. The Job Search Network is not resolving employment other than by a minor increase in the productivity of businesses through possibly better employee selection. Participant, Hobart
THE STORIES AND EXPERIENCES OF DEALING WITH CENTRELINK
1. THE FEAR AND SUSPICION THAT THE CENTRELINK SYSTEM PROMOTES
2. BREACHING AND THE LOSS OF PAYMENTS AND THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL
3. MUTUAL OBLIGATION AND JOB SEEKING REQUIREMENTS
4. THE MISTAKES THEY MAKE AND THE DIFFICULTY IN TRYING TO CONTACT THEM
5. THE INTRUSION INTO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE AND THE WAY THEY TREAT YOU
The stories and experiences of Centrelink, as told by people who were out of work, were many and mixed. They were hard stories to hear. Many of their Centrelink experiences left them bruised. The way "the system" treats many of these people, often at their most vulnerable moments, leaves much to be desired. But the stories need to be told and they also need to be heard. Yet, threading its way through all these stories is an understanding and a compassion even towards those whose job it is to enforce Government policies.
"Their job is hard at Centrelink. I sympathise with them. Half of them look more depressed than the people coming through the door. They look really scared. They have to do the Government’s bidding or get sacked. I don’t envy them".
Sometimes it appeared that unemployed people have more understanding and compassion for "the lot" of Centrelink workers that some of these workers appear to have for them.
"Centrelink workers are under a lot of strain, there are big cutbacks, they make mistakes – it’s not their fault".
"The workers are totally overstressed and often that makes them unpleasant and unhelpful".
"People abuse Centrelink staff; staff then get in a bad mood and take it out on others".
Nor were they hesitant to appreciate the help they had received from Centrelink.
"Centrelink put me in touch with a Job Network which was the best thing. They got me off putting in the form every fortnight down to every three months. That was the best thing that could have happened".
"I had my payment cut off but I went into Centrelink and spoke to someone and he fixed it up for me in one day without me having to go through the system".
"In all dealings I have had with Centrelink, they’ve been very polite and very helpful".
"I spoke to a social worker there and she listened to me and told me what she thought about the unemployment situation. The social workers are alright. They’re good".
"Centrelink put an exorbitant value on my super, and so I was 4 weeks without benefit. This was a structural problem, but it was superbly handled and resolved by the Centrelink officer".
However, greater by far were the stories that spoke of the injustices that people were being subjected to, of the unfair ways that people were being treated, of the heavy burdens being placed on already sagging shoulders and of further wounding being done to the already wounded. Some of these stories are quite shocking. Some are quite unbelievable and demeaning of human dignity. These are their stories.
1. THE FEAR AND SUSPICION THAT THE CENTRELINK SYSTEM PROMOTES
You live in fear. Participant, Hobart
Each Centrelink letter seems to contain a threat. Participant, George Town
Because of the suspicion, we live on tenterhooks. Participant, Huon Valley
You live in fear. You are frightened they will cut off your payment through some technicality.
Participant, George Town
There is a constant threat of losing your payment, they are threatening you all the time. Participant, Hobart
I get really stressed just filling the forms in. They ask the same question about ten times, and I get my husband to help me fill them out because I just get really stressed out with them. You ring and ask them about the forms. I got four letters from Centrelink yesterday. Two Dole Forms and two saying how much I’d get. I hate going to the letterbox and seeing the Centrelink envelopes – "what do they want now?" Participant, George Town
You have to be very careful about what you say to them and how you say it.
Participant, George Town
Centrelink! The main thing you’ve got to be concerned about is don’t come to their attention or you’ll be forced to do things you don’t want to do. Participant, Hobart
Centrelink threaten you in each letter - it's as though you are a criminal. Participant, George Town
I don’t put myself in their sights. Participant, Hobart
They send you threatening letters even when they are responding to something that you have gone in and asked about. Participant, Hobart
They are watching a lot of people – don’t you worry about that. Participant, George Town
You don’t tell them anything so you can survive. Participant, Huon Valley
I do Centrelink "by the book". I do what is needed to protect myself. I do exactly what I’m told because they have the power. Participant, Huon Valley
I always double check all correspondence coming from Centrelink. Participant, Huon Valley
There’s always a level of suspicion. You are expecting the Centrelink desk person to do something that will stuff up your payment - and with all the mail and all the computer mistakes, and all the mistakes and waste in the system, and we recycle everything and waste nothing! For example, the 17 page form each three months (for sickness and incapacitation allowance) and they have all the information already anyway. Participant, Huon Valley
I leave them alone and hope they leave me alone. Participant, Hobart
I am not a customer. I am a beneficiary of what should be generous charity, but it is really a begrudged outlay to resolve a social holocaust in order to keep the place politically tidy. Participant, Hobart
2. BREACHING and THE LOSS OF PAYMENTS and THE APPEALS TRIBUNAL
I missed an appointment by 20 minutes and was penalized $30 a week for the next six months. Participant, George Town
18% of my payment was suspended until my appeal was upheld. This is unjust. As well, I had to push constantly to get my appeal through. You need to be articulate, and keep your reference numbers, and fight for your rights or you lose your benefit. Participant, Hobart
I lent money to a friend with no interest charged and this was stated on a legal document. Centrelink still calculated the interest we "should" have been getting. I appealed this. They rejected the appeal saying, "you should have been charging interest". Participant, Huon Valley
I was not quick enough to do a cleaning job in a hotel but I couldn't leave because I would have lost the dole. I had to talk to my boss and tell her that I couldn't resign even though I could see she wasn't happy with me. She had to dismiss me and that was horrible. Consultation Participant
The system is too complicated. Young people are being breached because they don’t understand it. Participant, George Town
I was breached. I had to get my parents to lie for me just so I could get money to live on. Participant, George Town
My son was breached for 6 months for not going to the right place for his appointment! I attended the next appointment to retrieve his money but it didn’t work. Fancy breaching a 16 year old ! Participant, George Town
Centrelink lost my form and breached me 18% of my benefit for about 3 months. It was their fault but they did apologize and return the money. Participant, Hobart
I’ve had four attempted breaches – one the appeals tribunal overruled and two Centrelink changed- it was a bungle on their part, and one was upheld. Participant, Hobart
My friend hitchhiked from Kingston to Hobart. He was half an hour late for his Centrelink appointment and he was breached. Participant, Hobart
I had Centrelink debts - I owed them money, so they cut off my payments and left me with $60 a fortnight. Participant, Huon Valley
I got a breach for not putting a phone number in my job diary. Participant, Hobart
Each fortnight, my daughter rang Centrelink to say how much she earned. She had to get all the information in triplicate. Then she was told if she earned more than she told them, she’d have a debt, and they’d automatically deduct it. Then she got another letter asking her to supply details of her income and was threatened with cancellation of her payment. The day the letter arrived, Centrelink cancelled her money. They blamed that on the computer and she hasn’t received anything for 2 weeks! They blame everything on the computer! Participant, George Town
I was appealing a Centrelink decision at the tribunal because they missed about four payments and gave me no solid reason. When I asked Centrelink what I was supposed to live on, he said "I don’t know and I don’t care". When other staff overheard this, the manager came and helped me, making sure the rent would be sorted out and gave me some emergency relief. The employee concerned lost his job. Participant, George Town
I had my money docked. They said I put the wrong date on my form, but I didn’t – I always double check. I lost but I got re-imbursed. I used to post the form then but now I always fax it so they can’t get out of it. They used to say they didn’t get it till the next day. Twice they delayed my payment. I rang the postmaster general and he said I’m sick of this Centrelink mob and he rang them. I haven’t had any trouble since I started faxing it. Participant, George Town
There is no advocate around to help young people with their disputes with Centrelink.
Lots of people don’t have advocates or networks when they go to the tribunal. There are no outreach workers for these kids. There are groups of people in each town centre needing help. Participant, Huon Valley
A 17 year old girl was kicked out of home by her parents, then her parents split - her father went to Melbourne and her mother to Hobart. She had to quit her part-time job - because her parents split and she was relying on her father for transport. Because of her new situation she was entitled to Youth Allowance at the Independent rate. She was not granted this. Centrelink rang her father and his response, on the speaker phone for all to hear and in front of three tribunal people, was "I don't care if I never see her again". They then rang her mother who said the daughter was not welcome with her either. This 17 year old was without money for 3 months. Eventually she won. Participant, Huon Valley
I had trouble with their tribunal system. They weren’t going to pay me my disability pension and they wouldn’t listen to me and they were stopping my payments for the wrong reasons and they told me I shouldn’t bother appealing. I didn’t listen and went to the tribunal and won. They wasted money. Participant, George Town
You have to rort the system to stay above the Poverty Line. Participant, Huon Valley
The Centrelink system encourages dishonesty. Participant, George Town
If you don’t know the system, then you are in trouble. Participant, Hobart
I got breached because I had to go to a job interview at the same time as my Centrelink appointment – even though I’d explained this with a phone call. I had to appeal through the Social Security Tribunal. They upheld that breach because I should have given up the job interview and gone to the Centrelink appointment. The appointment was to fill out a form which I had already filled out. The breach is for 10 fortnights @ 16% of my payment. Both times I spoke to them on the phone, but there was no log on the calls. Participant, Hobart
I started a diploma of Community Service. I declared all my income: $36 a fortnight. Centrelink lost the form. I had to go to the Tribunal but for 12 weeks my income was cut from $280 to $140. At the Tribunal I sat facing 3 people on the other side of the desk accusing me that I was trying to rip Centrelink off. Going to the tribunal is scarey. I had to fight and I won. How ridiculous to have to go to the Tribunal over an issue like this! Participant, Huon Valley
Centrelink sent me to a seminar. I wasn’t able to go on that particular day. I got in contact that day – I rang Centrelink but nobody wrote it down. The next week they fined me. I phoned up and said check the system. They did and there was a record of the call so I got the money back. Participant, Hobart
Once you are in the system and come to their attention, you get a black name. It pops up on the screen straight away. Whenever I ring they mention I’ve got a breach. It affects how they see you. Participant, Hobart
Centrelink can be so anal retentive on the smallest of things, but sometimes flexible on big things. They are inconsistent. Participant, Hobart
MUTUAL OBLIGATION and JOB SEEKING REQUIREMENTS
On the day I came out of hospital after a heart attack I was told that I had a job interview and so I had to go. Participant, George Town
I am not a customer of Centrelink. I am obliged to be there. Participant, Hobart
You cannot be sick. You have to pretend you are well all the time so you are eligible for a benefit. Participant, Huon Valley
As a volunteer fire-fighter, I have been to eleven fires this month, a total of 45 –50 hours in all; this is not recognized by Centrelink. Participant, George Town
Volunteer work doesn’t count, you still have to put down what jobs you have applied for. Participant, George Town
How do you organize a set number of interviews for jobs each fortnight when living in the country? Participant, Huon Valley
Centrelink reckons you are doing OK if you have work in the apples. Participant, Huon Valley
The pressure to seek four jobs per fortnight is immense and futile. You are kept busy for no end result. Participant, Huon Valley
You are expected to take any job and then put up with any kind of behaviour while you are in a job. Participant, Hobart
They should have more benefits to suit people’s circumstances. Once you get to a certain age you aren’t going to be employed by anyone but Centrelink make you go and look for a job. Participant, George Town
Centrelink wants you to go to training to learn the basics that you learned years ago.
Participant, George Town
You want a job – you don’t want the job they shove on you. Participant, George Town
With mutual obligation, if you have to travel to Launceston it can be really difficult. You have to travel on the school bus. Participant, George Town
Centrelink can require you to go to Launceston and sign up with several Job Networks.
Participant, George Town
Centrelink make appointments and I just have to get there. I hitch or put petrol in Mum’s car and get her to take me in. Participant, George Town
Centrelink appointments? They just do it to annoy you. They just ask if your income has changed. Participant, George Town
They told me to come in for the paperwork. I went in. Some of the people behind the desk were quite nasty and told me "there's no paperwork", and that I would have to make another appointment to see somebody personally. Two trips to town for nothing! Participant, George Town
To see Centrelink you have to go to Launceston - that's $20 worth of petrol up and back. Participant, George Town
They send you letters saying this is what you should do to search for work and it feels like they must think you are stupid and wouldn’t have thought to do really basic things by yourself; they treat you as though you are a child. Participant, Hobart
Where do you find five different jobs to put in your diary down here? A percentage out there don’t want to work, but for those that do, we are tarred with the same brush. Participant, Huon Valley
You go in there and the first thing Centrelink ask you is if you will travel 90 minutes to work. If you say "no" you’re written off. I challenged them and they said that in Tasmania they don’t enforce it because we don’t have public transport. Participant, Hobart
I don’t mind mutual obligation if the other side also does something. The Government’s obligation is to provide a job or benefits until we get work. Participant, Hobart
They should leave alone those who want to be left alone and put resources into those who want help. Participant, Hobart
It’s all one way – the obligations are on the beneficiary, not Centrelink. Participant, Hobart
A seven months pregnant woman received a letter from Centrelink requiring her to do three weeks full-time on her CV preparation; it would also cost her $100 a week for petrol, with no traveling allowances. She already had a degree but Centrelink said she had to do it. She had to take a letter from the doctor to say that she was pregnant. In order to keep getting the dole, she had to apply for maternity leave. She was told by Centrelink that no dole forms needed to be submitted, but then she lost the dole because no dole forms were submitted. All her maternity leave was taken up sorting all this out. Her Job Network person helped her sort it out. Participant, Huon Valley
Twice they’ve sent me to Job Search Training. I’ve traveled there and in 5 minutes I’ve been told they can’t help, so I travel back home. The system is not geared to professionals. My time was wasted. New Start! I’m not in short pants! Participant, Hobart
THE MISTAKES THEY MAKE AND THE DIFFICULTY IN TRYING TO CONTACT THEM
They sent me a letter telling me that I wasn't eligible for a health card then I received one the following week in the mail. Participant, George Town
I had two letters from Centrelink in as many days and they both contradicted each other. Participant, Hobart
I own my own house and they sent me a letter to tell me I will be paid rent assistance to live in it. Participant, Huon Valley
My wife was at the supermarket doing shopping and I went to the bank and discovered they hadn’t put her money in. I had to go back to the supermarket and tell her to put the groceries back. I called Centrelink and found out that her form had not been processed. Participant, George Town
A couple of times Centrelink hasn’t put my money in the bank. When I rang up and got spewy with them, they had the money in the bank that afternoon. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Participant, George Town
The day after I sent my dole form in I was meant to be paid. Two days later I went to pay the groceries, but no payment had been made to my account. It took me an hour and a half between the bank and Centrelink to work out where my money had gone. Participant, George Town
Centrelink sent me a letter and then said they hadn't sent it to me. I rang to say I couldn't make the appointment they had made for me and this worker was really rude to me. I went into Launceston and showed the letter to them. I complained and said I wanted to see the manager. They are worried about me but I am not worried about them. Some people get so worried about whether they'll get their pay next fortnight. I used to be like that but not any more. Participant, George Town
They gave me a double pay once and they never said anything, so I never said anything either. Participant, George Town
They are slow to provide assistance, but quick if it’s to their benefit. They never get their facts straight! If you go into Centrelink and change any information, they will always get it wrong.
Participant, George Town
There are no uniform answers from Centrelink. You ring and someone tells you one thing, and then you ring again and you’re told something else. Participant, George Town
Letters get automatically spewed out and enveloped in one action. I got three letters in one day in three different envelopes – how much does this cost?!!! Participant, Huon Valley
It is a useless exercise when you ring them and they are on the mainland. Its no use them saying it will be fixed and be in the office that afternoon when you are 50 minutes away from town and have no access to transport. Participant, George Town
Centrelink! I don't worry about them. I know of a woman - they forgot to put her pay in the bank. So she went to get a counter cheque and they said they would not give her one. She said, "righto, here are my two kids, you keep them and feed them, and I will collect them on Monday". They found the money quick then. Participant, George Town
I was surveyed by a company doing a survey for Centrelink once. I told them you shouldn’t have to wait 15 –20 minutes when you phone them to talk to someone. You cannot contact the Launceston office directly. I spoke to someone in the Townsville office and she didn’t even know where Launceston was. Only once did they put me through to the Launceston office – everyone else has told me that they cannot do it. Almost always I am not happy when I’ve finished a telephone call to Centrelink. Participant, George Town
It is frustrating having to deal with a different person all the time. It’s a disadvantage. You are more likely to see the same person with the Job Network Providers. You can get a phone receipt number so that you can talk to the person who dealt with you last time. I have rung up a few times and the receipt number hasn’t been logged into the system. Participant, George Town
Centelink calls go to the mainland – its impossible to contact your local office.
Participant, Huon Valley
It's a Call Centre mentality: "how to get someone off the phone". Participant, Hobart
The phone is always engaged. They do ring back but the initial contact is a problem.
Participant, Hobart
They never know about your previous call and you have to tell your story three times.
Participant, Hobart
Trying to get through on the phone takes forever and then you could be talking to anyone anywhere, you can’t build up a rapport and they can’t build up any knowledge of the clients as individuals. Participant, Hobart
You used to deal with the same person every time, they had a case load of particular people but now you can only get through to a Call Centre and they don’t know you or your situation and every time you call you are talking to someone different and have to explain everything all over again. Participant, Hobart
You wait ages on the phone – "thank you for waiting" over and over. And then they wonder why people get abusive. It’s the expectation that because you’re unemployed you’ve got nothing to do, that you can sit here for half an hour and longer. Participant, Hobart
THE INTRUSION INTO YOUR PERSONAL LIFE and THE WAY THEY TREAT YOU
I am beholden to Centrelink. It is relentless. Participant, Huon Valley Its really humiliating walking into the Centrelink office. They treat you like riff-raff. Participant, Hobart
You can't go on a holiday - you have to explain to Centrelink why and how you can afford to go on a holiday: where the money is coming from. Participant, George Town
All your financial details are on their screens – you can’t do any financial transaction without the permission of Centrelink. In other words, you have to get permission from Centrelink. Participant, George Town
Centrelink doesn’t treat the unemployed with respect and dignity, and the Government doesn’t either. Participant, Hobart
Their phone manner leaves a lot to be desired. Sometimes they are very rude and ask a lot of personal questions about your family. Participant, George Town
My Dad had to go with me and show his annual earnings and they were asking him questions about who his parents were and other personal details that had nothing to do with it.
Participant, George Town
I was crying the day I had to go in and fill in the Centrelink forms for Newstart. The lady really didn’t have much compassion. All she did was tell me I could get a medical certificate, which I did. Participant, George Town
Centrelink came to my house with a laptop computer and asked me who lived in the house, how old I was, how old Mum was, what money we had. I don't know why. There's just so much rigmarole with it all. Participant, George Town
Centrelink require our full names – but we only know them by their single names.
Participant, Hobart
You are treated like a name and a number at Centrelink – "you’re on Work for the Dole" or "it’s no.22 over here". Participant, Huon Valley
Centrelink don’t like you asking for help. Participant, Huon Valley
If they would only accept that there is a smallpercentage not wanting to work, and then treat the rest of us with integrity and dignity. Participant, Hobart
We are living apart now because of Centrelink – they have become the guardians of morality. Participant, Hobart
I haven’t found Centrelink positive; I find them condescending. For example, when the receptionist comes across to me with "dear", "dear, it’s all right". And I was alright. It was insulting. Participant, Hobart
On the phones some people are really unpleasant but others are good. Participant, Hobart
You get a mixed bag in Centrelink – there are some "smart arses", and some are just out of school telling you what to do. Participant, Hobart
To get the car registration rebate you have to contact them before you pay it, but there is nothing from Centrelink to tell you this and it can save you up to $50 on the rego. Participant, George Town
They don’t tell you what you can get a rebate on – eg registration, but they didn’t tell us. There’s no rebate on your rates. Centrelink should put on your dole form what you’re entitled to. Participant, George Town
When my wife and I broke up they went to the house and checked up on her because she was on the pension. They drove down from Launceston just to do that. Participant, George Town
Centrelink did not tell me what I was eligible for. After 12 months I realised I could have claimed some allowances for that whole time. Participant, Hobart
You have to find the Centrelink person who is going to be helpful. There was one person at my Centrelink office who was helpful and everyone wanted to see her, so she was taken off the front desk. Participant, Huon Valley
Centrelink is an inefficient system. The structure and staff training in Centrelink is the problem. Participant, Hobart
They send you so many letters, it’s such a waste, they could save money if they sent several letters out in the one envelope. Participant, Hobart
They don’t give you proper information on changes to the system. Participant, Hobart
Sometimes when you go in there are only a couple of staff on the desk and you see other staff doing nothing even when there is a huge queue. Participant, Hobart
No one seems to know the answers to problems; there is a lack of knowledge by the front desk staff and sometimes they come back with the wrong answers. Participant, Hobart
They give you different information depending on who you ask. Participant, Hobart
Some are there to help you and some are there just to get paid so they are not on the dole themselves. Participant, George Town
I paint. Art supplies are very costly. I struggle to supply myself with any supplies. Centrelink policies! What am I meant to do if I sell a painting? You have to declare everything. You can't get information out of Centrelink. You can't afford to ring them. The last thing an unemployed person wants to do is bring yourself to the attention of Centrelink. The last thing I want is them ringing every couple of days to see if I've sold a painting. Participant, Hobart
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