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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Luke Henriques-Gomes Social affairs and inequality editor

Job agencies running ParentsNext scheme made invalid claims for taxpayer-funded bonuses, audit finds

As part of the ParentsNext welfare scheme, about 80,000 parenting payment recipients in Australia are compelled to attend appointments and take part in activities to assist them with parenting and preparing for work.
As part of the ParentsNext welfare scheme, about 80,000 parenting payment recipients in Australia are compelled to attend appointments and take part in activities to assist them with parenting and preparing for work. Photograph: mrs/Getty Images

An audit has found job agencies running the federal government’s controversial ParentsNext welfare scheme have been making invalid claims for taxpayer-funded bonuses.

The $110m-a-year scheme, part of Australia’s sprawling outsourced billion-dollar welfare-to-work system, pays companies and charities to provide guidance and support to single parents on benefits with children under six years old.

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