Business · Economy · 3 hrs ago
Australian jobseeker says age bias and benefit rules made finding work harder
John Emerson says he struggled to find work in Australia after being made redundant in 2018 and later closing his solo business.
He went to Centrelink in 2023, expecting to find another job quickly, but says he sent hundreds of applications without success.
He believes employers’ assumptions about age can shut people out, including the idea that older workers struggle with technology.
Emerson also says his employment agency focused on getting him to apply for low-level jobs rather than matching his qualifications, while he faced financial and mental health strain.
He criticises unemployment policy that accepts some joblessness to help control inflation, arguing that unemployed people bear the cost.
Emerson eventually found an entry-level government job, where he hopes to show that he can contribute and adapt to technology.
He wants unemployment payments raised so people can meet basic needs and have the resources to move from welfare into work.
John Emerson says age bias and unemployment benefit rules made it harder for him to find work in Australia.
After being made redundant at the end of 2018, he ran a solo business for five years before turning to Centrelink in 2023.
He says he sent hundreds of applications and was directed by his job agency to apply for low-level roles.
Emerson eventually found an entry-level government job through an inclusive employer.
He calls for higher unemployment benefits to help people move from welfare into work.
- Who
- John Emerson, an Australian jobseeker.
- What
- He says age bias among employers and the rules of unemployment support and job agencies made finding work harder.
- When
- After his redundancy at the end of 2018; he went to Centrelink in 2023 and later found a job.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- Emerson says employers held age-related prejudices, while his job agency focused on low-level roles and the unemployment benefit was inadequate.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Emerson says he was made redundant.
After trying to run a solo business for five years, Emerson says he went to Centrelink.
Reserve Bank chief Michele Bullock said the ideal unemployment rate would be 5%.
Emerson says he eventually accepted an entry-level government job.
- Redundancy
- End of 2018
- Solo business
- Five years
- Centrelink
- 2023
- Unemployment payment
- $1,000 a fortnight
- Ideal unemployment rate cited
- 5%
- New job
- Entry-level government role
What people are saying
I expected to find a job in no time.
It takes hundreds of unacknowledged job applications – even with serious tertiary qualifications, above-average achievements and clear technological adaptability – to realise you are subtly but surely being shunned.
Raise the unemployment benefit so people can live and have enough resources to move from welfare to work.