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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Cait Kelly

Workforce Australia job agencies forced to return $8.5m in taxpayer funds after huge surge in faulty claims

People in a line waiting
The Workforce Australia scheme, which is under review by the Albanese government, is facing sustained criticism that the privatised system is ineffective and prone to waste and rorting. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Australia’s outsourced job agencies have been forced to hand back more than $8.5m in government payments in one year – more than double the previous 12 months – after an apparent crackdown on faulty claims.

Under the employment services system, providers are funded with so-called “outcome payments” for placing their clients into employment or courses and they can claim reimbursements for money spent helping jobseekers prepare for work.

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