MORE than 150 work-fit Victorians have been on the Newstart unemployment allowance - designed as a safety net between jobs - for more than two decades.

And 3000 more men and women have received the benefit for more than 10 years.

The Herald Sun used Freedom of Information laws to reveal the state’s long-term unemployed.

Documents show an unprecedented 46 people have been on Newstart for 23 years, ever since its introduction in 1991.

Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews said it was concerning that they had avoided work for decades.

“It’s worrying that that can happen,” Mr Andrews said.

“There’s obviously been a failure in the way in which we have approached it, as in government generally has approached it, that you’ve got people there for such a long period of time.”

FIRST VICTORIAN WORK-FOR-DOLE SITES TO BE UNVEILED

And he conceded it was unknown how long some people had been receiving payments as official records only started being collated in 1991, with all previous years unaccounted for.

Mr Andrews said those out of work receiving Newstart were all employable and fit to work.

“If they weren’t fit for work they would qualify for a Disability Support Pension.

“This is why we’re aiming a lot of our effort at the young because the longer people are dissociated with the workforce the more difficult it is to get them back into it.”

Generally, people on Newstart have to report at least once a month to demonstrate they are searching for work.

Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief economist Steven Wojtkiw also warned the prospect of landing a job diminished the longer welfare recipients stayed out of work.

“Sometimes there is an inherent bias from potential employers against an individual who has been unemployed for a long period of time,” Mr Wojtkiw said.

He listed genuine reasons why some people could not find employment such as living in remote locations, not being able to find a job that suits their skills and the rising youth unemployment rate.

Singles on Newstart are paid up to $510.50 a fortnight, a figure which the Victorian Council of Social Service said is unlivable.

Chief executive Emma King said a lack of government assistance kept people lingering on welfare.

“I can’t see someone who wants to be on $36 a day. If you’re on Newstart you’re basically living in poverty,” Ms King said.

“We’re seeing that there are just not the jobs out there for people who really want them.

“We’ve got kids going to school without lunch. A lot of jobs require experience and if you don’t have any then it becomes very, very hard.”

The latest unemployment data from December 2013 revealed that Victoria’s highest unemployment rates were in Sunshine (11.3 per cent), Dandenong (12.6 per cent) and Broadmeadows (up from 9.6 per cent to 12.8 per cent).

Newstart Allowance

Less than 2 years - 117,948

2 – 5 years - 35438

5 – 10 years - 12114

10 – 15 years - 2118

15 – 20 years - 959

More than 20 years - 154

Source: Department of Social Services. Data extracted December 27, 2013.

christopher.gillett@news.com.au