Suitable Work for the Dole Organistaions/Activities

By law each Work for the Dole Host Organisation must fulfil an number of legal requirements to qualify as a ‘suitable’ work for the dole place. If your Work for the Dole host organisation does not meet any of these requirements, call the department of employment immediately on 1800 805 260 (free call from landlines)

2.2  Suitable Work for the Dole Host Organisations

Work for the Dole Places must only be hosted by:

  • not-for-profit organisations/charities
  • local, state, territory or Australian Government organisations or agencies or
  • in a not-for-profit arm of a for-profit organisation,

except in specified circumstances, including (Community Action Groups) and (Project of National Significance) (See Attachment D to this Guideline for more information on Community Action Groups and Project of National Significance)

Work for the Dole Guideline, p. 7

 

2.2.1  Must Not Displace Paid Workers

Work for the Dole activities, whether they are Individual Hosted Activities or Group Based Activities, must not displace paid workers, in accordance with the Deed. Work for the Dole Places must not:

  • involve the same tasks that would normally be done by a paid worker, including a worker in casual or part-time work, and/or 
  • reduce the hours usually worked by a paid worker or reduce the customary overtime of an existing employee.

In addition, a Work for the Dole Place must not proceed if:

  • an organisation has downsized its workforce in the previous 12 months—for example, through redundancies or termination—and the places that are being proposed are doing the same tasks as those roles made redundant, and/or
  • it is being used as a stop-gap measure while an organisation is undertaking recruitment exercises or as a way of meeting ad-hoc needs in lieu of creating paid employment opportunities.

If a Provider becomes aware of displacement, the Provider must advise the Department through its Account Manager and act in accordance with the Deed.

Where the Coordinator identifies displacement after a job seeker has commenced in a Work for the Dole Place, they must notify the relevant Provider, Host Organisation and Departmental Account Manager. If the Work for the Dole Place has been created but not filled, the Place must be removed.

Work for the Dole Guideline, pp. 10-11

2.2.2  Banned Work for the Dole Activities

In addition to the types of Work for the Dole activities not permitted under the Deeds, Work for the Dole activities, whether they are Group Based Activities or Individual Hosted Activities, must not include:

  • working for a family member or spouse, or the job seeker’s own organisation,
  • tasks that primarily promote a particular religious or political view,
  • tasks associated with the sex industry or involving nudity (including retail or hospitality positions),
  • tasks involving gambling,
  • unlawful activities, and
  • anything that might bring the job seeker, the Work for the Dole Programme, the Provider or the Department into disrepute.

Work for the Dole activities, whether they are Group Based Activities or Individual Hosted Activities, must not include a residential or overnight accommodation component without the Department’s prior written approval.

Work for the Dole Guideline, p. 10

2.2.3  Your Right to Learn Suitable Skills at Work for the Dole

Work for the Dole Places must provide job seekers with the opportunity to gain skills, experience and confidence to move from welfare to work while at the same time making a positive contribution to their local community

Work for the Dole Guideline, p. 2

 

To improve the work-readiness of job seekers, Work for the Dole activities should provide a combination of the following:

  • improve or enhance their communication skills, motivation and dependability
  • provide an opportunity to build confidence
  • provide an opportunity to be part of a team
  • provide an opportunity to work independently
  • benefit the job seeker, by addressing Non-vocational Barriers, and
  • provide an opportunity to develop the relevant job seeker’s skills that helps them secure Employment.

Work for the Dole Guideline, p. 7

2.2.4  Your Right to be Exempt from Work for the Dole

In a Job Plan, Providers must not include participation in Work for the Dole (or other approved programs of work) as a compulsory item:

• for job seekers receiving less than the full rate of Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance (other) or Parenting Payment Single, where the rate is reduced due to the income test (Note: A reduced rate can result from the job seeker’s own income and / or their partner’s income.)

• for Special Benefit—Nominated Visa Holders if the person or the person’s partner has income

• where the Activity is more than 50 hours per fortnight

• where the job seeker is aged under 18 or is 60 and over.

Mutual Obligations Guideline, p. 5