Explore the unseen aspects of the multibillion-dollar welfare-to-work system with 'Buying and Selling the Poor'. This essential read guides you through the complexities of how Australia addresses unemployment and disadvantage. Dive into the stories from four local employment offices that reveal the critical but often misinterpreted role of frontline services in the welfare system. Discover how marketisation and welfare reform have influenced the way these services operate, resulting in varied success rates among service providers. Through a combination of two decades of empirical survey data and immersive fieldwork, the authors - experts in politics, public policy, and social science - bring to light the transformative conditions faced by both staff and clients. Learn about the challenges and triumphs within this system that deeply impacts our most vulnerable citizens. Unravel the mysteries of our privatised jobseeker market and the commodification of the individuals within it. 'Buying and Selling the Poor' is not just a research piece; it's a compelling narrative that holds essential lessons for policy makers and anyone interested in the social systems we navigate today. Perfect for academics, students, and all those passionate about social justice and welfare reform, this book is a must-have for your collection.