Today’s welcome increase in JobSeeker support is important but it needs to go hand-in-hand with urgent reform to better support unemployed people to find meaningful jobs, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“It’s crucial that we return to proper indexation of the JobSeeker allowance and work towards getting it to where it used to sit - closer to the Aged Pension.

“At the end of the day most people don’t want to be on welfare, they want a job.

“We need to remain focused on how we can create more and better jobs for all Australians.

“This increase in JobSeeker support will help reduce some of the barriers that prevent unemployed people getting a job.

“Although the ultimate goal remains how we help unemployed people find jobs and stay in work.

“We need to get job service providers and businesses working together better so people are matched with employers looking for people.

“We urgently need to look at our skills system so people are getting the skills and training they need to find jobs now and in the future.’’