The Government is providing an additional $0.9 million over the period 2006-07 to 2008-09 to the Career Planning Programme (CPP) for around 3,600 new places. These places will be targeting parents who have new obligations to seek work.

The places, provided as part of the Welfare to Work initiative, will be allocated to regional, remote and metropolitan sites across Australia.

This additional funding will provide a total of $11.3 million for the Programme over the period 2006-07 to 2008-09 for 41,000 places.

The Programme provides professional career counsellors to assist jobseekers make appropriate and realistic career choices. Through the Programme, individuals develop career planning skills as they take steps to participate in the workforce - whether deciding on a course of study, upgrading existing skills or finding the right job.