Morrison government's mutual obligation tough ask for unemployed says Labor

There could be up to 143 job applicants for every job vacancy when the government's mutual obligation requirements increase.

As part of the changes, Australians on JobSeeker will be required to apply for 20 jobs per month from July 1 as part of their mutual obligations.

The government says this is reasonable and appropriate.

Barton MP Linda Burney said there are not enough jobs for every Australian who wants one.

"The simple fact is that there aren't enough jobs for every Australian looking for one and the Morrison government requires Australians looking for work to apply for more jobs when the jobs are just not there," she said.

"There were 192,000 job advertisements in February (based on the Internet Vacancy Index) and 1.38 million people on unemployment payments (based on Department of Socials Services data).

"This means that there could be up to 27.6 million applications each month, or 143 applications per job vacancy if this were applied this month.

"Labor is calling on the government to explain how it is reasonable to require Australians looking for work to make 20 job applications each month."

Banks MP David Coleman (Liberal) said the mutual obligation rules are fair.

"The government's mutual obligation policy ensures that people who are receiving support from taxpayers are actively seeking a job, and that is completely appropriate," he said.

"Australia's economy is making a strong comeback from the impact of COVID-19, with more than 813,000 jobs created since May 2020.

"Locally, the most recent figures in Banks show that the unemployment rate of 4.5 per cent was well below the national average."

Another of the government's changes is an 'employer reporting line'.

The reporting line has been dubbed 'Dobseeker' by many in the community. It will enable employers to directly contact the government about people who turn down job opportunities.

"If someone does apply for a job, they're offered the job and they're qualified for the job, but they say no, the employer will now be able to contact my department and report that person as failing to accept suitable employment," employment minister Michaelia Cash said.

Sarah from Bexley wrote to the Leader and said the dobber hotline would help exploitative employers.

"I was once a struggling unemployed person and it sickens me that this dobber hotline the federal government wants to implement will help exploitative employers," she said.

"The policy allows the employer to hold a legislated weapon to breach them.

"When I was 21, I applied for a bartender job and after the interview, I was offered that job. My excitement soon turned to dread when the sleazy employer told me I was required to work topless. I said no thanks. But under the new laws the Liberal Party are bringing in, I would be punished for saying no. Hardly fair, right?"

Ms Burney also believes the federal government's 'Dobseeker' hotline is unhelpful to unemployed people looking for work.

"The feedback that we are receiving from business groups and industry groups is that the Morrison government's DobSeeker hotline won't be constructive and won't create more jobs," she said.