The coalition Government has introduced a new requirement for people on Jobseeker Support to attend a six-month progress check with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD).

About 20,000 Jobseeker beneficiaries with full-time work obligations are expected to participate in the new "Work check-in" seminars over the next year, according to Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston.

"Work check-ins are another way the coalition Government is making the welfare system more proactive about supporting Kiwis in their search for employment," Upston said.

"These check-ins will ensure a larger number of job seekers have more regular contact with MSD, providing more opportunity to gauge their progress and make sure they are receiving the right support and job training."

Currently, about 190,000 people receive Jobseeker Support, but only around 53,000 have employment case managers at any given time.

Upston expressed concern that the remaining 137,000 job seekers can go many months without discussing their progress with MSD, with some not required to check back in until they reapply for their benefit after 12 months.

The new six-month check-ins aim to address this gap.

The Work check-ins follow the coalition Government’s recent introduction of the "Kōrero Mahi – Let’s talk work" seminars, which job seekers attend within two weeks of their benefit starting to plan their next steps for finding work.

These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to introduce mandatory reapplication for Jobseeker Support benefits every six months.

“These interventions will help get job seekers back on their feet quickly," Upston added.

"MSD will make sure their profiles and CVs are up to date, offer interview tips, and direct them to job websites and vacancies or further training."

Attendance at these seminars is compulsory, and failure to attend without a valid reason may result in MSD stopping or reducing benefit payments.

The Government's goal is to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support by 2030, which is seen as a way to strengthen the economy by increasing employment.

The Government's steps to support this target include clear expectations that benefit sanctions should be fully applied to incentivise job seekers to fulfil their work obligations, continued investment of $1.1 billion in MSD’s frontline employment programmes and financial supports through Budget 2024, and the introduction of the Kōrero Mahi seminars.

“This Government believes those who can work, should work, because having a job is the best way for people to lift themselves and their families out of hardship,” Upston said.