Work for the Dole

Work for the Dole is an Australian Government program that is a form of workfare, or work-based welfare. It was first permanently enacted in 1998, having been trialled in 1997. It is one means by which job seekers can satisfy the "mutual obligation requirements" to receive the Newstart Allowance, now replaced by the JobSeeker Payment. Other "mutual obligation" measures can include: accredited study, part-time work, Australian Army Reserves, and volunteer work.

Under the Howard government, the scheme was compulsory and targeted the long-term unemployed. Shortly after the Rudd government was formed it became voluntary. From 1 July 2015, Work for the Dole became effectively compulsory for the majority of Newstart Allowance recipients.^[1] On 20 March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Work for the Dole was suspended, alongside all other mutual obligation requirements. Mutual obligations returned to all states and territories in September 2020, excluding the State of Victoria which saw its reintroduction in November 2020.^[2][3][4] Work for the Dole's suspension was lifted 'where it [was] safe to do so' with the reintroduction of mutual obligations, and eventually being reviewed and modified with new requirements in October 2021.^[5][6]