Maternal Employability, Conditionality and the role of Family Services in the Australian Social Security System

Abstract

There has been an international shift in social security system approaches towards mothers from being one of supporting mothers during their time of raising children, to viewing mothers as adult workers who are expected to engage in the paid workforce. While traditionally directed towards the unemployed, labour market activation policies and conditions on social security payment receipt which aim to increase employability are now being targeted to parents of young children. The emphasis on employability and paid participation in the labour market is also influencing the Australian government's policy direction towards family services, such as parenting programs and playgroups. Family services are now an element of labour market activation policy for parents and participation in such services is compulsory for some mothers to receive their social security payments.