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Welfare-to-work programs are now enduring features of Australia's labour market and social policy landscape. Over two decades, both Labor and Liberal governments have progressively tightened the conditionality of income support, extending principles of mutual obligation to new groups of working age recipients. This article is concerned with legislation that came into effect in 2006 requiring sole parents who receive income support to enter the labour market when their youngest children reach school age. This policy has practical implications for the character and dynamic of the labour market, and for caregiving, family wellbeing and women's autonomy. After outlining recent Australian reforms, we examine how comparable overseas reforms have impacted on the independence and wellbeing of vulnerable, low income women; and use emerging themes to outline an agenda to guide the next phase of Australian welfare to work research.

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Community service agencies work independently, together, and with governments and community members to build social relationships, promote access and participation, and ensure quality of life, especially for people experiencing hardship. The quality and effectiveness of these services depends on a high quality, capable, and sustainable workforce. Around Australia, developing and sustaining the non-government sector workforce has become a shared goal of government agencies, peak bodies, unions and employers. The research contained in this report was conducted to obtain evidence which is specific to New South Wales (NSW), and can inform local strategies for building capacity and sustainability. The project was developed in response to a request from the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and the Department of Community Services (DoCS), following the development of workforce initiatives by NSW Government Human Service CEOs and the Forum of Non-Government Agencies (FONGA) in 2008. The exploratory study consisted of four strands: a literature and data review; the NSW non-government organisation (NGO) community services workforce survey; focus groups with workers; and stakeholder interviews. Together, the strands provide vital information about the state of the non-government sector workforce, highlighting strengths and challenges, and possible strategies for reform.

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