The young and the low-skilled are falling behind in Australia’s job market according to a new report by Anglicare.

While Australia’s overall unemployment rate had fallen to a four year low of 5.5 per cent Anglicare describes the situation in entry-level jobs as “dire”.

Youth unemployment remains high at almost 17 per cent; unemployment among those without post-school qualifications is almost nine per cent; and the labour under-utilisation rate in the 15–24 age group is 31 per cent.

The research revealed unqualified or inexperienced jobseekers outnumber job vacancies by five to one.

Anglicare recommends reforms to government policy, including raising the Newstart and Youth Allowance – which it called “dangerously low” – and government intervention in the market to create more low-skilled jobs.

In particular, it urged the government to create more entry-level job opportunities in human services sectors such as disability and aged care.

The report found a pronounced drop in the number of level 5 job vacancies over the past seven years. (Level 5 occupations require skills equivalent to a Certificare 1 qualification, secondary school education or some on-the-job training.)

It also found a drop in level 4 jobs – the next level up from entry level – over the same period.

The report found the growing trend towards the “casualisation” of the workforce meant many job seekers were unable to find “suitable and secure” work.