Early access to services for workers who have lost their jobs
- Who is eligible for early access to employment services?
All workers who have lost their job because of the economic downturn can get access to personalised employment services through Job Services Australia. Talk to Centrelink about how to access this assistance.
Further information is available at centrelink.gov.au or call 13 28 50.
Centrelink will assess workers eligibility for employment services and make an appointment with a local Job Services Australia provider.
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How long does this measure last?
The early access program runs for two years until 31 March 2011and covers all workers who have lost their job because of the economic downturn.
- What are these workers eligible for?
Under the new employment services deed commencing 1 July 2009, workers who have lost their jobs because of the economic downturn will gain immediate access to Stream 2 services. Job seekers will also benefit from a $550 Employment Pathway Fund credit and immediate eligibility for outcome payments.
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How will this benefit these workers?
All workers who have lost their job because of the economic downturn are eligible for immediate access to tailored employment services.
Job Services Australia providers will help workers develop a tailored Employment Pathway Plan to them find another job as quickly as possible. This could include:
- job search training and job search assistance such as resume preparation and advice about the best ways to look for work including expanding a client’s employment related networks;
- supervised access to resources such as telephones, computers, stationery, vacancy listings;
- a comprehensive skills assessment to determine what work or educational skills and experience they currently possess;
- skills development training relevant to the local labour market needs;
- referral to education or training to possibly improve literacy under programmes such as the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program or Adult Migrant English Program;
- purchase of vocational and non-vocational assistance using the Employment Pathway Fund (EPF) which could include various items from safety boots; heavy vehicle licences; computer courses; wage assistance; and relocation assistance etc.
Job Services Australia providers will meet with job seekers regularly to review their Employment Pathway Plan. They will also have access to an Employment Pathway Fund, which can be used for employment subsidies, equipment and training.
The early access also entitles the provider to greater outcome fees, making these clients more likely to be placed in work.
- Will providers be able to cope with the increased inflow of clients?
The higher service fees associated with this level of service and clients being immediately eligible for outcomes, recognises the additional workload for providers.
- Are workers who lose their jobs eligible for any other services?
When workers present a letter from their employer, a Separation Certificate or other documentary evidence that they lost their job because of the economic downturn to Centrelink, they will be assessed by the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI). If they are assessed as eligible, they will immediately receive higher levels of servicing e.g. additional services tailored to your individual circumstances through Stream 3 or 4 services.
- Is there a limit on how many workers can gain early access?
It is expected that many workers who lose their jobs because of the economic downturn will find work through their own efforts but similar to mainstream employment services, it will be demand driven.
- Will a worker who loses their job be eligible for this assistance irrespective of their assets and income?
Yes.
People who would have been eligible for employment services other than for their retrenchment payments will be entitled to receive early assistance to employment services from the first day of registration with Centrelink.
Although workers who lose their jobs will have an income and assets test applied, it will only apply to their eligibility for income support and not employment services. The same applies to the Income Maintenance Period which will not impact on their eligibility to receive employment services assistance.
It is expected that many workers who lose their jobs because of the economic downturn will find employment through their own means but those who face barriers to gaining employment, such as not having any job finding skills will benefit from early access and re-engage with the workforce as quickly as possible.
- How long will a worker need to have been employed before they are eligible for this assistance?
There is no minimum employment period to be eligible for this assistance.
- How will Job Services Australia providers be rewarded for providing additional services to workers who have lost their jobs?
Job Services Australia providers will receive service fees and outcome payments as applicable for Stream 2 services as a minimum for all workers who have lost their jobs.
This represents increased service fees and outcome payments when compared to Job Services Australia providers who would have serviced retrenched job seekers in Stream 1 or Stream 1 (Limited).
- What is being done to help young people?
All unemployed young people are entitled to assistance from employment services, whether or not they are on income support.
There is also a range of other government programs that young people can access to gain assistance in finding work including:
- Connections - an education and personal development program for young people who have disconnected from mainstream school
- Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (Access) - pre-vocational training, support and assistance to obtain and maintain an Apprenticeship
- National Indigenous Cadetship Program – linking Indigenous students with employers
- Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) - provides language, literacy and numeracy training
- Mentor Market place Program - mentoring available to young people
Young people will be eligible for early access to employment services if they have been retrenched.
- Where can I obtain more information?
More information is available via the DEEWR Contact Centre on 1300 363 079.