YOUNG job seekers will have their dole cut off for six months while they look for work, but a local employment expert said it would be difficult to find a job any faster.
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The latest data from the Department of Employment suggested Riverina's youth unemployment rate was 14.6 per cent, higher than the national rate of 13.5 per cent, meaning the job placement program will have a major effect on the region.
The government's proposed legislation would also force young people looking for work to submit 40 job applications per month and perform 25 hours of community service.
Sureway Employment and Training area manager Craig Tilston hoped young Griffith residents without a job didn't supplement cuts to their welfare with crime, but said it was up to the individual.
"It could potentially happen that people turn to crime, we'd like to think that won't happen, but it comes back to each individual and at the end of the day it's about backing yourself," Mr Tilston said.
"There's always jobs out there but sometimes you need to look at taking the survival job and work your way up rather than shooting for the dream job straight away.
"We all know things are a little tougher than it has been in the past but that could change tomorrow, so it's all about persistence and sometimes you may need to look at relocating."
Regional Development Australia Riverina chief executive officer, Lani Houston, is heading for Sydney this weekend to spruik more than 90 jobs on offer in the Riverina.
"There are certainly employment opportunities in the region and Griffith in particular," Ms Houston said.
"In saying that, the market can be competitive and it may take some time for people to gain employment, particularly younger people with less experience.
"If asked by those looking for work in the region, I state that it often can take three to six months to find employment."
Ms Houston said the industries with the most local job vacancies were agriculture, aged care and community health services, while there were also management, administration, finance and trade jobs being advertised.
"Connecting with industry networks is really important, volunteering and gaining work experience wherever possible is all helpful for building individual skills and networks for employment," she said.
"The more training, qualifications and experience that a person has the more likely you are to find employment."
