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Does 'Work for the Dole' work?: an Australian perspective on work experience programmes

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  • Jeff Borland
  • Yi-Ping Tseng

Abstract

This study examines the effect of Work for the Dole (WfD), a community-based work experience programme, on transitions out of unemployment in Australia. To evaluate the WfD programme, a quasi-experimental exact matching approach is applied. Participation in the WfD programme is found to be associated with a large and significant adverse effect on the likelihood of exiting unemployment payments. The main potential explanation is the existence of a 'lock-in' effect whereby programme participants reduce job search activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeff Borland & Yi-Ping Tseng, 2011. "Does 'Work for the Dole' work?: an Australian perspective on work experience programmes," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(28), pages 4353-4368.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:43:y:2011:i:28:p:4353-4368
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2010.491457
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    1. Gerard J. van den Berg & Bas van der Klaauw, 2006. "Counseling And Monitoring Of Unemployed Workers: Theory And Evidence From A Controlled Social Experiment," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 47(3), pages 895-936, August.
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    4. John Van Reenen, 2001. "No more skivvy schemes? Active labour market policies and the British New Deal for the young unemployed in context," IFS Working Papers W01/09, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    5. Giacomi De Giorgi, 2005. "Long-term effects of a mandatory multistage program: the New Deal for young people in the UK," IFS Working Papers W05/08, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
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    Cited by:

    1. Craig Brett & Laurence Jacquet, 2015. "Workforce or workfare? The optimal use of work requirements when labour is supplied along the extensive margin," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 48(5), pages 1855-1882, December.
    2. Cobb-Clark, Deborah A. & Dahmann, Sarah C. & Gielen, Anne C., 2020. "The Intergenerational Effects of Requiring Unemployment Benefit Recipients to Engage in Non-Search Activities," IZA Discussion Papers 13618, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Mareen Bastiaans & Robert Dur & Anne C. Gielen, 2023. "Activating the Long-Term Inactive: Labor Market and Mental Health Effects," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 23-003/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    4. Junankar, Pramod N. (Raja), 2014. "The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Youth Labour Markets," IZA Discussion Papers 8400, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. PN (Raja) Junankar, 2015. "The impact of the Global Financial Crisis on youth unemployment," The Economic and Labour Relations Review, , vol. 26(2), pages 191-217, June.
    6. Herault, Nicolas & Vu, Ha & Wilkins, Roger, 2020. "The Effect of Job Search Requirements on Welfare Receipt," IZA Discussion Papers 13684, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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