The job provider did not lodge a tender for the Goulburn agency in the federal government’s recent call.

Instead, three new organisations will enter the local market, alongside an existing one.

A Mission Australia spokeswoman said the agency did not submit a tender for its Goulburn service because the government’s employment services 2015-2020 contracts included “new and geographically expanded regions.”

“Goulburn fell into a region where we had few other services and a decision was made not to bid for employment services in this location,” she said.

However, Mission Australia did lodge successful bids for its Moss Vale, Campbelltown and Nowra services. It has done so under a joint venture with international human services company, Providence Services Corporation.

The venture is called Mission Providence.

The Goulburn Post understands news of the impending closure came as a shock to staff, some of whom had worked at Mission for up to 15 years. It employs eight permanent staff and two fixed term contractors.

Moreover, in recent years the provider had moved its office from Montague St to a larger space in the revamped former Huntly Arcade.

“We are assessing what the results of the tender will mean for Mission Australia and our staff,” the spokeswoman said.

“We will be working through the impacts on these services over the coming weeks.”

The organisation will maintain its community services arm in Sloane St, Goulburn but the Post understands there are not enough positions there to accommodate the job service employees.

The community services division includes the Skills for Education and Employment, disability, Therapy and Intervention and the Brighter Futures program.

Meantime, the spokesperson said Mission Australia was “transitioning” the job service to the new provider who would take over from July 1.

“We are working closely with (them) to transition jobseekers so that they are not disrupted during this period,” she said.

The new contracts came after a federal government shake-up of employment services. It places greater emphasis on mutual obligation and getting people into long-term work.

The Department of Employment stated that it awarded contracts to “high performing” organisations. Out of the 66 chosen nationwide, 44 are ‘job active’ organisations, 19 are work for the dole coordinators, 21 are ‘New Enterprise Incentive Scheme’ organisations and five are harvest Labour Service providers.

In Goulburn, three new providers - Employment Services Group, MAX Employment and Salvation Army Employment Plus will make their entry. MBC Employment Services in Verner St had its contract renewed.

The Mission Australia spokeswoman said the provider had a long history of successfully helping job seekers into work.

“We have been proud to run this service for the Goulburn community for the past 15 years,” she said.