Boost for Employment Advice Services

The Federal Government has announced an assistance package for Community Based Employment Advice Services that deliver workplace services and advice for workers.

The funding of $1.2 million over two years will be shared across existing services, including the Working Women’s Centres in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland and the Employment Law Centre of Western Australia. 
 
Speaking at the Employment Law Centre in Perth, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard  said that these organisations provide services like a telephone advice service; self-help information sessions for people representing themselves before Fair Work Australia; an evening legal advice service; community legal education and a research service.

The Minister says these Not for Profit organisations play a valuable role in providing advice, assistance and information to Australians who experience difficulties in asserting and exercising their workplace rights. 

Gillard says the funding will provide certainty for staff and the thousands of people each year who use these services.

The Government says it will further develop Community Based Employment Advice Services, by working with the State governments to:

• In future provide a more even and secure funding base for the Community Based Employment Advice Services to be based on triennial agreements,
• Explore the possibility of new centres in those states where none exist,
• Make funding more consistent across all centres, and
• Establish consistency across the centres so that things like staff exchange programs, information sharing, referral protocols and access to training and support can happen.

For more information on workplace relations advisory services, go to  www.fwo.gov.au or call 13 13 94.