The Mutual Obligations that unemployed workers are required to do all depends on their particular circumstances. Unemployed workers who are primary carers providers (PCP) or have significant barriers to work (known as Partial Work Capacity) are able to significantly reduce the annual activity requirements. In special circumstances, unemployed workers can even be exempt from certain requirements.
Employment Service Providers often fail to mention that these options are available and instead mislead unemployed workers into thinking that that Work for the Dole is the only way they can fulfil their mutual obligations. This is wrong. Under the law, your specific circumstances must be considered. Furthermore, once your circumstances are considered there are a range of activities that are approved other than Work for the Dole.
1.4 Different Mutual Obligation Groups
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1.4.1 Your Right to a Partial Capacity to Work Consideration
The definition of Partial Capacity to work is follows:
A person with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric impairment has a partial capacity to work if the impairment prevents them from working at least 30 hours per week at the relevant minimum wage or above, independently of a programme of support, within the next 2 years. In determining whether a person has a partial capacity to work, all impairments that impact on a person’s capacity to work within the next 2 years will be taken into account, regardless of whether the condition/s giving rise to the impairment/s are fully treated and stabilised and the Secretary must be satisfied that no training activity is likely, because of the impairment, to enable the person to work at least 30 hours per week at the relevant minimum wage or above, independently of a programme of support, within the next 2 years.
Guide to Social Security Law, 1.1.p.56
If you think you fit into this definition inform your Employment Service Provider and call Centrelink to request your assessment.
Please note that in the time you are waiting to be assessed, you cannot be compelled to Work for the Dole or do any other activity.
Furthermore, if you are considered to have a Partial Work Capacity, here is some more useful information:
People assessed as having a partial capacity to work who are not able to participate because their carer is temporarily or permanently unable to care for them due to unforeseen circumstances may be granted a temporary exemption from mutual obligation requirements under the major personal crisis exemption (3.2.11.40).
To qualify for the exemption, the carer must be a commercial carer or a relative or friend receiving CA or providing a level of care which would qualify them for CA.
The exemption is normally limited to the time required for alternative care arrangements to be put in place or until their carer recovers from their temporary incapacity. However, it the carer has not recovered from their temporary incapacity or the job seeker has not been able to find alternative care arrangements within the exemption period then, this period may be extended.
The maximum exemption period at any one time is 13 weeks.
Guide to Social Security Law, 3.2.11.80
1.4.2 Your Right to a Temporary Reduced Work Capacity Consideration
A job seeker may have a temporary medical condition and have a temporary reduced work capacity (TRWC), which is identified through an Employment Services Assessment [Request one from Centrelink if necessary]. Job seekers will have reduced requirements for the period of their TRWC. When setting appropriate activities, the delegate must ensure that activities and the level of participation take into account the job seeker’s TRWC.
When circumstances arise that impede a job seeker’s ability to meet their usual mutual obligation requirements they can be adjusted to reflect those circumstances. Mutual obligation requirements are flexible and it is preferable and generally possible to reduce a person’s requirements, rather than exempt the person from requirements. However, there are circumstances, specified in the legislation, under which a full exemption from requirements is appropriate (3.2.11).
Guide to Social Security Law, 3.2.9.10
1.4.3 Your Right to a Principal Carer Parent Consideration
A person is a principal carer of a child if:
- the child is a dependent child (1.1.D.70) of the person, AND
- the child has not turned 16.Note: only one person at a time can be the principal carer of a particular child. In all shared care situations, it is necessary to determine which of the carers is the principal carer.If both shared care parents are receiving NSA, depending on their level of care, both may receive the NSA (with child) rate. However, only one parent could be determined to be the principal carer of a particular child.
Grandparents, Step-Parents, Temporary Guardians can also be considered as Principal Carer Parents. Please click on the reference link for more information.
Guide to Social Security Law, 1.1.P412
1.4.4 Your Rights Regarding Unforeseen Breaks in Activities
There is no need to adjust a job seeker’s requirements if they have a break of less than or equal to 4 weeks that is outside their control. If the break is greater than 4 weeks then the job seeker is required to undertake other suitable activities such as job search, for the period of the break. The Job Plan should be revised to include the adjusted requirements.
Exception: Separate rules apply to principal carer parents and job seekers assessed with a partial capacity to work when the activity is casual part-time paid employment. Breaks or holidays in casual part-time work beyond the control of the parent or job seeker of any duration can result in the principal carer parent or job seeker assessed as having a partial capacity to work being required to undertake other suitable activities (job search, in particular) for any fortnight in which the 30 hour per fortnight part-time work requirement is not met. Breaks or holidays in permanent part-time work will not result in job seekers assessed as having a partial capacity to work having to undertake other activities as long as their basic rate of income support does not increase during the holiday (i.e. they receive the same level of employment income during the break).
If a person needs to take a break from an activity due to personal circumstances, then they must immediately notify DHS or their employment services provider, who will then either revise or develop a new Job Plan taking into account the job seeker’s changed circumstances.
Example: A job seeker may have a reduced capacity due to a recurrent medical condition or unexpected child care responsibilities and is unable to make suitable alternative arrangements.
Break for principal carers – Christmas & New Year period
A principal carer is not required to meet any requirements during the fortnight that the Christmas Day public holiday falls. However, they are still required to lodge their statement (1.1.S.350) to DHS for this period in order to report any earnings and stimulate their payment.
Break for principal carers – employer initiated shut down period over the long school holiday break
When a principal carer is meeting their mutual obligation requirements by working (including instances when working is one of a combination of activities) and the person’s employer initiates a shutdown period over the long school holiday Christmas break, the principal carer is considered to be meeting their requirements as long as they reasonably expect to resume their employment when their employer resumes in the New Year. The employer initiated shut down period break can only be taken while the place of employment has shut down, up to a maximum of 8 weeks. After 8 weeks the principal carer will be required to participate in additional activities to meet mutual obligation requirements.
Guide to Social Security Law, 3.2.9.10
1.4.5 Your Right to Choose your Own Approved Activity
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Mutual Obligations Guideline, p. 12
1.4.6 Your Right to be Exempt from Your Mutual Obligation Requirements
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Mutual Obligations Guideline, p. 20
1.4.7 Your Right to be Exempt from Work for the Dole
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Mutual Obligations Guideline, p. 5
Additionally see above section on Temporary Reduced Capacity for Work, Partial Capacity to Work, and Principal Carer Parent
I asked for a exemption as I have decided to get my life on track and get of meth. And I want to be rebilated. But centre Link rejected my certificate. Because i work casually 15 hours a week, but I gave my job my cert for
3 months. I’m not coping I have tried to kill myself more then 3 times. Max employment are harassing me its just to much for me. I want to work and if I had just been left alone to work the 2 days a week I would of been able to do so and still try give up meth. But the fact max employment are harassing me. They call 3-4 times a day I have them booking me in for two appointments in one day once a week. I’m not coping I need to get my head straight and back to a normal way of living. I’m being punished for at least trying to work which I am struggling so badly. I’m so depressed and aggressive. =(. I get $150 a for night which pays my board. But the harrassment I get for this $150 is so much stress. All I asked for was 3 months of max employment backing of or having a reduced capacity. But I got declined. I can’t do this anymore I don’t want to live. How can I get of drugs when I’m
Being harrassed
I’m sorry nobody replied to you. I hope you are still OK. Reach out to the AUWU again by phone. I’m sure they will help.
Hey Andy,
I hope you are doing alright, I wish you all the very best in trying to get your life back on track, I admire what you are doing. Just wanted to show my support. As for Max Employment, I have had a great deal of trouble with them as well, a real bunch of *****. They are rude, agressive and a bunch of bullies who simply want to harass the unemployed until they can’t take it any more and just drop out or get breached. I wouldn’t be surprised if they get paid by the government for the number of jobseekers they manged to breach and kick off Newstart. Change providers and go to a disability provider in your area.
That is exactly how they’re incentive work
Hence the reason for their deceit , lack of respect and it’s disgusting. All government agencies only tell you what you’re specifically asking.. which most people don’t know what to say or ask. St Vincent De Paul, Salvo’s and community services are always the best way to find what services are available, but you need to be specific in all your personal details and also try not to make your addiction crisis the main reason you’re asking for help. Make an appointment with a Centrlink social worker for advice on what services they provide to help you with your addiction and do everything you can to prove your taking necessary actions to get help so you can become financially independent.
Max Employment is the worst provider in the system. They are so bullying, unprofessional and traumatizing. I hope that you can find a better support network.
Andy, have you found support? I hear you, and I understand that this type of pressure is actually harmful and hinders the ability to feel as if you have the ability to take control and get your life back on track. I don’t use drugs, and I have found ways to support myself as I deal with difficult situations that possibly Max and other employment agencies have no time for. If you haven’t visited with your GP do so, get a medical certificate to substantiate your mental unpreparedness at this given time, the pressure is overwhelming and contributes to your dissatisfaction. Please do not give up trying and talking about what you feel and what you need to survive; it is your right to draw that benefit, and the employment agency is a private one with whom you are not obligated. Use your passion to research this and continue to stand up for what you know is right; I’m pulling for you and many others like us experiencing tough times that have been made even tougher for no good reason. Check out this link mate; good luck! http://unemployedworkersunion.com/right-not-work-dole/
leave them. to find a better job network also report them to centre link .
I would get some advice on how you can proceed with legal action. The problem with JSP,s. is that are there to tick boxes only, not to care about the human race. They are a complete waste of money. Good luck with your Rehab.
i hope your battle with ice or meth had ended. and that you are clean, the price of ice these days for a gram is outragous. the high feeling and seedy feeling of come downs is not proper . if u still smashing the syringe get to the pipe asap. and if u smashing the pipe. pick up a dumbell and lets get better
Hello, change the caseworker- employment agency. State a breakdown in communication with staff. Employment agency duties are- work ready now!. Thats how they are payed. Enter in to Rehabilitation programme’s – trick is to break the cycle seek doctor’s help. You can do it. I’ve walked that path myself!.
Trust me hun, once they know drugs r involved u can forget it. They won’t do anything. It’s been like that for years!
There useless people I was forced into studying for my work for the dole phase as they didn’t have the requirement to do so and they have lied to centrelink about it all they have me down at 15 hrs study for 6 months when the course requires 25hrs to for 3 months I have to look for 20 jobs a month and attend weekly appointments that’s started this week to look for work and with my study it also requires 80hrs of work placement plus I have brake downs as my family is having medical issues and they don’t care that we live in a small country town where there is lucky to be 20 jobs a year going that’s not teaching/ teacher
What is the minimum and maximum number of appointments an employment services provider can book with me as a PCP aged 30-49? I cannot find the relevant piece of legislation to cite when requesting my appointments be reduced when negotiating my job plan. I currently have to attend 2-3 appointments per week with Max employment, each of which goes for a minimum of one hour. I am also undertaking fulltime education. I find it difficult to attend these due to fuel costs and the child caring arrangements I am able to make living in a rural area with no family or friends to undertake caring duties whilst I attend them. I have recently requested the number of appointments be reduced, but was informed by my recruitment consultant at Max that the legislation has changed and I am required to attend at least 2 appointments per week in order to meet my mutual obligations and not be financially penalised by centrelink. Can you direct me on where to find these legislative changes, and if this is in fact true, please?
If you are as you say full time education/student, then you should be placed on a different payment plan from DHS, no longer listing you as person seeking employment, and that an employemnt agency has NO right to call you
The reason Max does so many appointments is because they make money out of it. They are a money driven business that preys on the most vulnerable people on out society. I was in their office working on my job applications and directly witnessed how they operate behind the scenes to get job seekers in, to make their budget targets. It is beyond shameful and their CEO makes a lot of money. It’s a complete exploitation and so unethical it disgusted me beyond words what I experienced. I left but still feel traumatised by what happened whilst with Max Employment.
What you have been told by Max Employment is rubbish and they are exploiting you. If I were you I would take all of your children – having fed them red cordial beforehand – to your next appointment and to each and every appointment. There is nothing to stop you from doing so and they should have told you this as well. I guarantee that your appointments will be reduced and the correct information given to you when you threaten to contact the Department of Small Business and Trade to discuss what Max are forcing you to do. I hope your children are particularly fractious and energetic at your appointments.
I understand that, i live 10 ks the highway and 60 ks to the employment provider. The town i live in is a holiday place no publuc transport,no licence or car. I have tried to explain my situation and i was told that it was my choice to live here. I was homeless and gp5t offered this house so i took it .
I have applied of over a hundred houses in the city but no luck yet. When i told them that there only response was do i want to speak to the psycologist grrrr . So fustrating ive had to enroll in a full time course which i cant really afford and change to austudy
Look buddy see doctor tell doc u need mental health care plan assesment. Ice does that tell doc u think suicide is your only option take form to Centrelink mental health is very different to addiction ocording to Centrelink so use it take care SOVREINWARRIOR
I am 57 going on 58 and have recently completed a Cert 3 Hospitality course. I completed ‘mutual obligation’ (390 hours in a retirement village, working mostly in a dementia ward). I was offered work experience from several farmers in my rural locality, but this was not acceptable to my Employment Services Provider who wish me to complete another six months in the retirement village, despite the fact that there will be no possibility of obtaining employment at this workplace. I have a University Degree and a Graduate Diploma, but the provider can only obtain funding if they place me in a menial temporary position without future prospects. The attitude of full-time and part-time staff in the workplaces I have performed mutual obligation is demeaning; they seem to think that the unemployed should be able to survive without income support, as we don’t deserve food and accommodation. Work for the dole is relentlessly punitive, driven by the 1970’s notion of ‘dole bludgers’. It appeals to right-wing voters with no understanding of economic reality. Nobody wants to train or employ someone in their late fifties, so it’s another six months of washing dishes and serving tea and coffee without the prospect of a job at the end of it. Employment Service Providers are lazy, unimaginative and inflexible, in my opinion.
Centerlink denied my request to be exempt for work 4 the dole. I told them that i need to travel to Sydney which is 9 hrs hour away from where i live in Grafton area. for legal issues, A complaint has been made about my uncle having guns in the house. he has a valid gun license that is registered using my address which a rural acre property. and because my name is on the deed to the house I need to be in court. center link won’t let me out of my work 4 the dole requirements. and instead said they I need to apply for a temporary address change and link to a job active in Sydney and do my work 4 the dole requirements down there. that doesn’t work either I will most likely be in the courtroom everyday. I am running out of options
The job service providers in Carnarvon are on a whole nrw level. Attending our homes and harrassing us at homr and when we arent home they find us in the street to harrasd us. Threatening to have me disconnected for telling the lady to fuck off in the street as she wouldn’t leave me alone. Even after I requested on numerous occasions for her to leave me alone..when they cone to my property they refuse to leave. Absolutely disgraceful that we are getting harassed in our personal time. Our job service provider was once called Max employment. They think if they change the name to Real Futures that the outcome will be different for job seekers. The outcome will be the same because the way they manager is the same. Sick of the harassment and because I made a formal complaint I have now been cut off my payment and all while this ihappening i was in the middle of a domestic violence case. Trying to put my girl through private school and maintain a whole household. So pretty much if I don’t accept the job service providers harassing me at my own home I don’t have a payment . Wtf
Hey peeps! I’m so stuck on work for the dole. I have been surprised with a mini vacation where I’ll be gone for 2 weeks. I don’t understand the whole demerit points on job active. I know I’ll miss my activity and job provider knows. I’m just very anxious that I’ll be in the red zone and lose all my Centrelink payment.
Looks like some of these links have fallen to linkrot. Is there a current government policy/guideline of exemptions to WFtD for those on reduced payments under the income test?
I’m hoping I’m exempt as a DES client anyway, but I’m still worried I’ll be forced into it as I have substantial caring responsibilities and limited capacity to work from my disability. Previous attempts to have my annual activity requirements be study haven’t been successful (obviously because it’s less profitable for the job providers who have the rubber stamp).
https://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/2/10/20
My reply is not specific to you personally but to anyone who may read this… know your rights before your next appointment google and read in detail. Write down the information concerning your case, every circumstance is different. Don’t sign a job search agreement on the spot.. ask for a copy of it and research any issues that concern you. There’s a time limit to stick to until you start getting demerits ect You’re job provider will use any information you give them in their own favour. Everyone wants to get paid at the end of the day. You only need to go in depth with a social worker or doctor and JobSearch providers must legally adhere to the outcome of your problems if you’re being assessed by either of these professionals.
I am over 60 and volunteering to meet my mutual obligation. I am a tutor for the Migrant English program at a univeristy, however, all classes were cancelled last week due to the coronavirus situation. From tomorrow, I will be working with students remotely via Whatsapp but this will not be my full 15 hours a week and have no idea how long this will go on for. Do I need to advise Centrelink?
Mutual obligation has been cancelled until April 27, no need to advise Centrelink of mutual obligation but online reporting will tell you’ve not met your mutual obligation.Ignore!
I’ve read that Centrelink is manually resetting online reporting program everyday (Guardian), but most job providers won’t tell you or plead ignorance.
As it was, said “Between you, me & fence post and myself “. We don’t know what Employment agents are Actually doing for people!. They don’t understand why people are driven insane. Tursa Grafton- decision’s to lie, about failure’s & dupe Mutual Obligations paper work. I attended the majority of my appointments. But at Centrelink, the so called paper work- made out as Non compliance’s to the requisite’s. F_tards little Hitlers. When you sign up for work for the dole. Get that deed. $10M of cover- paper work. Don’t sign up as a volunteer for any employment agency- or working for the dole. Get insurance papers .
I am 57 and recieve a super pension so will get only about half of jobseeker payments. Anybody know if I would get less mutual obligation?
Great article! I read to all comments. I agree all of you. I provide for by my given business. wholesale marketplace
my name is john i am 61 years of age i have been diognosed as having depresion but i belive my problem is confusion created but job net works like the art ov lighting which is a form of mental abuse.i am all so blind in 1 eye.have a mecanical heart valve that has a leak leading to brethlessness and tiredness.i can,t aply for pention as they intend to fix the leak .i just finishe an online cours as my oblication,but ended up in hospital for blood transfusion,as the stress coursed by this cours was efecting my eating rotine.. i now have to look for 8 jobs a month and have no usabl police check.last police chec they did was over 5 years ago and found a conviction on my record over 20 years ago.i have all ways known police checs ar only spos to go back 10 years. i qasked for a nother they said no.
since then MS has undergone a restructor and i was led to belive things will be better.i was promised a police chec on completion of the course.on the day i sighnd new contract i was not feeling well and next day i ended up in hospital for blood trans fusion.i do knot know what was on the contracte but don,t think it should be valid as i was not in my right frame of mind.when i next went there 3 days after returning home from hospital .i was informed i now have to look for 8 jobs a month, as i donot think i am ready for work i will have to lie.i have not been able to sleep well since then as i have morales that forbid me to lie.,i allso have been smocking to much and drinking to much,i fear the system is killing me.i am reluctent to change network as in past i have had trobel with other jobnetworks.
i did a litrel and numaral cous many years ago but witnesed a ratia disrimination coment about aboriginal peapol .becouse my daghters boy freind and my 3 grand children ar aboriginal i took great ofence to it and tryed to pull her up on the coment but it back fired and i not her had to apoligize.i left the course to enrole my self in an advanced welding cours as welding is my profetion.i was supose to go back but the man that i report to in my job network after i told him said i do not have to go back .the corse was with statice my net work was .i can,t rem but than man i was seeing was a rare 1 as he was good but others there wor not ,he nolonger works there tho but he was the only 1 that found me a good job [cleaning at myers]but the company i worked for lost the contract and i went back to looking for work.nother job was found for me but i was subjected to abuss as i being old and boss being young and not nice person .i qit after 6 monthes.soon after i had a stroke which left me blind in 1 eye… i can,t weld any more as a resalt.. i will wind it up now but must say the laws righten obouth has entightend me so i must thank you
i have left out other problims i have with MS as im not shore if this is corect place to discuss for our national security but am willing to share this information after i seek advice from law inforcment athority of a high security level if they belive it to be apropriet it may be nothing but as former member of the defence forse must do the right thing as i am a tru patriot sorry about bad spealing .
When was the above last updated?
U only need to look at the corresponding crime rate and increases in the types of crimes i.e. armed robbery, drug related, home invasions and break and enters reflect this failing system! I am unfortunately amongst it all and believe better education and training will determine were Australia stands on the world wide economic scale for the future. We have some of the best universities in the world but the generations of young adults around me dnt see that as a viable source of income when compared to drug sales while claiming payments…really compared to work for the dole that gains someone nothing but more hatred towards the system!!! I am in full time study correctly filing out a timesheet and now my payments are on hold because i was asked to provide a confirmation of enrollment which i did provide but now my jsp is saying they need documents that cover dates that are in the future…how it hasnt happened yet, my diploma doesnt hav a specific date to finish as long as i complete a module in less than 6months which i have been doing! Why wud i go legit ive tried that didnt work…now deal with the consequences i was forced to do, to eat, to survive what wud u do to feed ur family…anything right???
Hi, I’m seeking advice on what options are available to someone in my position. I’m under 30, working a stable 30 hours a fortnight and have been employed since March 2020. I receive a reduced payment from Centrelink because of my part-time earnings. My jobactive provider has now asked me to jump onto work for the dole because 1. I don’t meet my full mutual obligations, and 2. because I’ve not worked enough hours during my employment. I did a little research and found a lot of ambiguous wording in the DSS guides that has confused me and given no concrete solutions to my available options. For example, on https://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/11/3/110 underneath the heading ‘Participating in WFD while undertaking paid work’ it says I’m able to exit from work for the dole. Does this mean I must accept my work for the dole offer but can then reasonably quit after one or two shifts? In contrast, on this page https://guides.dss.gov.au/guide-social-security-law/3/11/3/20 underneath the heading ‘sufficient work’, it says any work I take is sufficient enough to meet my full mutual obligations if I’m working a minimum of 70 hours per fortnight – and can only disregard meeting other requirements if that is the case.
Because I am already working part-time, I do consider myself extremely lucky, and I’m not against work that will benefit the community in some way. But at the same time, I really want to know what rights I’m entitled to so that I can make an informed decision regarding this issue. Does anyone have an informed insight on what I can and can’t do here? Thanks in advance.
I thought they were supposed to be supportive? AS IF! I am a single mother of 2 and have only recently re-joined the workforce after being a stay at home for over a decade. I’ve happened to find casual employment all by myself with consistent work right now. However because at this stage it doesn’t hit the 15 hours a week mark (due to the nature of work I am currently doing) I am constantly being told that it isn’t good enough and that I need to be doing more and shouldn’t be turning job opportunities down. What job opportunities? All they have done is send my resume off to possible employers and I never hear anything back. I have a phone appointment every 2 weeks at the moment and I absolutely dread the phone call as I constantly feel like I’m being degraded. I do have certain qualifications but I really do not wish to work in the industry those qualifications correspond with anymore but they don’t care. My job provider also asks for my payslips. Do I have a right to refuse giving it to them? Especially when they did nothing to help me with obtaining the work I currently have. I was so much happier when I self managed my mutual obligations online by reporting however many jobs it said I had to apply for until I got an email saying the employment agency would be contacting me. I am so confused as to what my rights are. Can anyone please help?
Yes i agree with everyone , there needs to be group action lawsuit started , just need the numbers and a law firm willing to take it on .
I am a 59 professional artist, (read as =broke nil income $0). Worked in the past loading containers, waitering, we both paid taxes over 30 years. I’ve never been on government benefits. My wife is on DSP, 8 years even though I’m her carer I never went on the Carers pension. Last year I applied/received Job search. I explained my circumstances but was made to agree to mutual obligations to look for work, which is ridiculous as I work already paint everyday, costs money for oils, canvases etc., look after my wife. She has a incurable chronic disease. Please don’t say to go onto the Carers pension as it will have a fatal psychological impact on her. We are in debt, apart from subsidised meds-PBS, all her treatments, footwear, splints,aids etc., needed, cost a lot of money. Any advice please will be appreciated.
take the carer pension its more money and no obligation
Tursa Grafton are a fantastic example of Fvckup fairytale employment agents. You sign up for working for the dole. They say you are insured!. When you ain’t. $10M liability deed in place. Protecting them the Agency’s & the WFD accepting placements. Employment agent’s are just that, scammers 1 unemployed persons nets the $300 to $1500 in any month. You have to participate with them. You get shite all,Don’t have disability Or Accident, & you are fine. Employment agents are employed for Jobs ready ASAP!.
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My requirements are to work 15 hours a week 30 hours a fortnight my job service provider knows this as well they were the ones that informed me of it I have gotten myself a job and I work my required hours however my job service provider still makes appointments for me even though I have informed them that I now do my required hours that I have signed and agreed to do and I also report my income
If I work my grade hours I sign to already why they still making appointments for me and penalising my payments I have a penalty on my payments but I already meet my requirements
Is it legal for them to penalise my payments even though I do my required hours already
Hello.
I read all the comments here because I have an issue with Centrelink concerning an ongoing medical condition.
I thought I may be able to gleam some advice or ideas on how to proceed.
Suffice to say… I’m totally shocked by the postings of people on here! I see nothing but genuine concern and criticism for a social security system which the founders of this country put in place to support decent, downtrodden or ill people in their time of need.
I feel nothing but contempt and disgust for the politicians and department managers that have allowed this to come to such a state.
I wish all well in their time of need and hope that their will be real change for the better soon. Though… I have my doubts I am so so sorry to say.
Hi AUWU,
I am 59and presently working in paid work through my ABN and receiving Jobseeker payment.
I reach 60 in August and really need to reduce my fortnightly hours due to longstanding back problems.
Is it possible to negotiate to reduce my fortnightly hours?
Looking forward to your reply.
Kind regards,
Linda
Hi AUWU,
Please update your advice, regarding the new Workforce Australia changes. If I am receiving a reduced fortnightly job seeker payment due to self employment, am I still required to do the annual Work For the Dole activity? Unless the advice mentions “Workforce Australia” instead of “Jobactive” then my job providers I dont think will take it seriously.
Come to think of it, my job providers (Max Employment – the absolute worst) refused to acknowledge that a reduction in your payment meant you were void from working for the dole, even during Jobactive. They wanted to see 25 hours a week at at least the minimum wage, to void you from working for the dole, which would have meant you were not eligible for welfare at all, a catch twenty two.
APM treated you like humans. Max Employment should be shutdown, and all Max staff nation wide should face criminal charges.
Your advice also says that that the age group 30 to 59 has an annual activity requirement of 30 hours a fortnight. In other words, as soon as you hit 30, your requirements reduce from 50 hrs per fortnight to 30 hrs per fortnight.
^ I wish this was the case, but I believe the rules changed quite some time ago (like years ago possibly).
Now they say, anyone aged under 49 years has a 50 hour per fortnight requirement. And 50 to 65(?) is a 30 hour per fortnight requirement. Can someone please confirm this?
BIG T,
From my understanding regarding Workforce Australia is that it will be up to the JSP to determined the amount of points ,Job active is no more, Work for the dole is just 1activity you can chose it is not compulsory there are other things you can chose to do if you google ” Centrelink broken system ” scroll down the page there are several posts regarding this new Workforce Australia programme, Work for the dole is not compulsory the reason why Max Employment are forcing you to do it is because they get paid to send people to the programme if I were you I would drop them ASAP phone the nationalcustomerserviceline they are there to help you all the best
Linda,
After reading your post you are entitled to reduce your working hours however it creates problems with Centrelink given that you are receiving benefits from them and the new programme Workforce Australia you will most likely be force to other activites,I do not know what your circumstances are in relations to your requirements are with Centrelink give them a call and they should be able to help you further you can read my post above Surrounding Workforce Australia posts All the best
General info
Workforce Australia is the new system which has replaced job active it is a point base system in which jobseekers can do a wide varity of activites,each activity carries points those points are added up at the end of the month they have to equal the amount as set by your JSP ,1st July Workforce Australa comes into affect which means job active is no more,Workforce Australia has publish a set of tables which list a set amount of points for each activity the maximum amount of points per month is 100, however the JSP will determine the amount of points based on your circumstances I.E medical, physical etc you have to get per month if you fail to reach the required points then stiff penalties apply unless you have a very good excuse. Secondly if you collect more points than what is stated by your JSP you can put those points towards next months points tally only up to 50 points (example
Your points per month is 60 points, if you did activites totaling 80 points those extra 20 points you can put towards next months which means you can scale back on the activites totaling 40 points ) Jobseekers can choose whatever activites they want to do not what JSP want you to do Older Jobseekers your points will be lower. For more info on this Google Search ” Centrelink Broken System ” tap first one ,then scroll down posts till you come to post that shows a list ( picture that has been scanned ) tap on that it will show the new system.if you have any queries just post on here I’ll help where I can !
DES providers, Jobseekers with DES providers are not affected with Workforce Australia changes as their contract runs until July 2023 at this stage jobseekers will still carry on with their Obligations as stated in your job plan until DES contract finishes , One suspects that DES will be brought in under the same umbrella with minor tweets allowing for Jobseekers will various medical,mental and other issues to follow along the same path IE points base system.
Side note : DES providers are given a set amount of money to use,that money covers for their staff wages, building leases. Some of that money also goes to training clients they do not get any other money from the government therefore they have to use their own money to pay for things once that money runs out thats it they don’t get anymore,that is probably that reason why JSP won’t spend money on you,more info to follow
I hate the new points system.
Even though I am currently employed I have been told that I still have to apply for another 4 jobs per month because my job is only casual.
My place of employment have told me that they intend on keeping me and all of their staff are permanent part timers including myself.
With the hours that I work I meet the 100 points system without effort and yet I still have to apply for additional jobs regardless…what a joke.
I earn more than the jobseeker payments so I am no longer receiving payments from Centrelink but have been told by my job seeker agency that I have to keep meeting these mutual obligations for the next 6 months which is bizarre.
I feel like this is the Government having total control over vulnerable people and pushing them to breaking point.
Louise, your situation is nothing new its just a bullshit system,a system that requires six weeks of reporting payments above Centrelinks cut off resulting in O payments from Centrelink and JSP just like to bully and intimindate jobseekers if you are no longer recieving any jobseeker payments just go into Centrelink office and tell them to cancel the payment,given that you no longer are getting any payments I wouldn’t bother sticking to the mutual obligations, what punishment is your JSP going to give you ? Suspend your payments until you re engage and continue with your mutual obligations even though your no longer getting jobseeker and are working LOL JSPs computers are linked in with Centrelinks computers.
The whole system is crap set up by deadbeat morons on work experience who lack common sense and brains to real
ized that it’s not working but think it’s acceptable,the only way to get off JSPs books is to cancel your Centrelink Payment once that’s done you won’t have to deal with idiots!
I am so stressed out. I have just had an appt with Workskil and even though I have a permanent job and am doing 25 hours a week, I have been told to do 30. She told me she could find me a new job with 30 hours. I am so happy in my own job and do not receive much in job seeker payment except school holiday. I am 52. What can I do? It is just wrong. I thought over 50s only had to do 30 per fortnight not weekly. Can she really make me leave my permanent job?
Tina, Due to the way this whole shit rule has been brought in there’s not much one can do except you have only twochoices 1:- stay in your current permanent job and do activites or quit and work more hours,having said that the whole system is bullshit ( if you read my post before yours you will understand what is happening ) because you are still receiving some payment unfortunately you have to comply with there crap rule.
Check with Workforce Australia in what the rules are I have general knowledged about Workforce Australia and Centrescum (Centrelink ) rules that I can share ( I mostly give info on DES jobseeker issues ) it’s up to you wether or not to take the new job i have heard jobseekers quit Centrelink altogether even though their casual or permanent casual just to get the F off their books and that of JSPs.If there’s anything else I’m more than happy to help you cheers!
Hi all, I am 62, from north of Brisbane QLD, I do suffer from Depression and anxiety for a certain reason and I am on medication for this,I had a appointment with my new AMP service provider, i thought it was a phone consult, but when I rang them it was a face to face and I explained to her that I had to come over to WA, well she got rude and said some nasty things, and told me I had to sort it out with Centrelink within 6 days, and have to change my address to WA to get another service provider and when I go home I have to do it again..that is ok I will do that. I just thought I let you know a little bit about me.
My question is does anyone know if you can do a online course for my commitments with Centrelink ? I have read the info above and it looks like I cannot do that. Can someone answer me on this please..
thank you in advance.
In addition to the above, I am 52 and work 50 hours per fortnight only in school terms and currently provide part time care to my elderly dad. Does this care get me out of the mutual obligations phase. I currently have to apply for two jobs a month and have monthly meetings.
Dayle, Regarding your first statement is nothing new the systemic rot is widespread through out the Job Service Provider industry,these agents are pure scum treat the unemployed like third class citizens and show no respect put simply they don’t care about anyone’s situation,to your question phone Centrelink and ask them if you can do an on line course to meet your mutual obligations they should provide you with an answer. If you have further queries just post here I’ll try and help further!
Tina, I fully sympathized with you regarding your predicament and the crap jobseekers have to go through from the research ive done and my understanding of the rules is:-
Jobseekers have to be employed over 25hours per week every week and not claiming jobseeker for 12 consecutive weeks to be fully off Jobseeker therefore ending mutual obligations after reading your post you are only working during school time and collecting Centrelink money when not working under the terms of Jobseeker Mutual obligations/legistlations you have to look for work,unfortunately cannot get out of it,in terms of looking/caring after your dad you can apply for Carers payment from Centrelink but you have to have a lot of evidence and be prepared to be screwed around by them if you get it your job plan has to be modified to include it,until your off Jobseeker payments completely the unemployed are stuck with this BS Lastly your monthly meetings are a requirement under the guidelines set out by the department and cannot be done away with,if you have further queries just post here I’ll try and help where I can
Dayle, Second add further info if you intend on doing a course it has to be Certificate 3 or above or higher university degree Centrelink has rules regarding people doing courses they accept some but not others so it’s best to advise them what course you want to do if they allow you to do on line course ask them if you can claim Austudy that way you don’t have to deal with JSP assholes
Thank you for your reply. Just to clarify if my claim for carers payment is granted will this then satisfy workskil? Will working 25 hours a week and caring for my dad satisfy them?
Tina, If you are granted a carers payment, Workskill have to include that in your job plan given the attitude of JSPs pricks regarding peoples personal circumstances they will try and bully you, from my understanding you still have to follow your job plan but reduced requirements Centrelink should advised you where you stand
Take the carers pension other wise you will be driven crazy by centrelink and job agencies. I’m 62 and lost my job in covid, have medical problems and mental health issues and they won’t let up on me! Dsp is unattainable since the criteria was changed several years ago
Well… where do I start?
First of all Robbie’s comments are spot on in relation to the employment agencies just wanting to tick boxes rather than actually help the very people they are supposed to be helping.
I’ve completed and passed most of subjects in the Certificate 4 in IT (Programming Stream) and recently got a Fee-Free Tafe place for the Diploma in IT (Advanced Programming). I’ve been on the dole for many years now due to various issues I’ve had to endure, like homelessness, depression just to name a few. I’ve already tried to kill myself and at this point in time, I see no reason to continue living (or more precisely… existing). I have had at least three medical certificates last year and this year (currently on one now) for depression. I have to convince myself nearly every day to not try and kill myself again. It looks like I will have to withdraw from the two diploma subjects I’m currently enrolled in. Therefore it looks like trying to better myself through Tafe has been a complete waste of time.
And here’s the kicker… even though I have a Fee-Free Tafe place, according to my “provider” it does not count as an activity they can put on my “Job Plan”. And it gets “better”… That silly little bitch they send me to there actually expected me to go into their office and do “job search” that I was already doing anyway, when I had Tafe classes to go to. And that’s after I explicitly told her what days I was at Tafe and the exact times of my classes. So I said “well, I have Tafe then, I’m already doing that anyway!” followed by “you are depriving me of the chance to finish my Tafe course, you don’t get time in class to do all of the exercises and assignments. And if you don’t do the assignments, you don’t pass your subjects”. Her response: “that’s your problem”. And that’s only one example of the level of contempt they have for people on the dole. As they know they have all the power over you and aren’t afraid to use it. And of course, I looked mygov afterwards to see if Centrelink had granted me an exemption, and low and behold, I found a notice on it saying “your job search has been unsatisfactory” dated either the SAME DAY AS MY APPOINTMENT WITH HER, or the DAY AFTER THE APPOINTMENT with the silly little bitch. Therefore clearly it’s punishment for standing up to them, and that’s far from the first place I’ve had that.
Mentally, I cannot take anymore, I do not have the mental resources to deal with anymore of their bullshit. And if I have to put up with anymore, I’m going to smash someone or something, it’s that simple. I’ve well and truly reached my limit with these fucking arseholes.
There’s three major problems with the system as it stands:
1) The emphasis is on getting people off the dole anyway they can – the emphasis should be on knocking down as many barriers to employment as possible, so there is no reason why the person can’t get employment.
2) The government’s definition of “suitable employment” simply doesn’t match reality in that: Just because someone is physically able to do the work, it doesn’t mean they are capable mentally, some might use the word “aptitude”.
3) These charlatans/”employment service providers”/whatever else they want to call themselves should NOT have the power to cut people’s payments off – it’s a clear conflict of interest. Think about it: if the police were not only able to arrest and charge people, but also play judge, jury and executioner, there would be an outcry, nobody would accept it, there would be riots in the street, because that’s why you have the courts who are independent of the police.
Look, I could give at least several other examples of all of that and more, but my post would likely reach the character limit if I did. The bottom line is: my chances of getting my diploma have been virtually destroyed, and if I lose my payment, then I end up on the street and lose the public housing I waited for the best part of 20 years for. I’m *not* mentally fit to be working right now, full stop, period. Therefore the only way I’d be able to survive would be through committing crime.
Centrelink and workforce Australia forcing older welfare recipients 55 and over into study courses that the minimum requirement is certificate III and above including diplomas to retain support benefits for mutual obligation