Access useful information to help you move into work
If you’re looking for work, there is a range of sites that can provide useful information:
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JobSearch—provides a one-stop shop for job seekers. It provides information about jobs and working conditions, careers and training, unemployment programmes, and details of job and volunteering opportunities.
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JobWise—supports mature age employment and has information for employers, mature age job seekers and mature age workers.
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JobJuice—helps young Australians who are looking for work and thinking about their future. It provides useful information in three sections: At school, Choosing a direction and Get that job.
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Australian Apprenticeships—provides information on Australian Apprenticeships, which are available to anyone of working age and do not require any entry qualifications.
If you’re on an income support payment, find out what the new rules mean for you
From 1 July 2006, more people on income support have been required to look for work. The new rules apply to:
- people with a disability
- principal carer parents
- mature age job seekers (50 or over)
- people who have been unemployed for a long time.
Under the new rules, more income support recipients have been asked to look for work. But there are also more incentives for people to work if they have the capacity to do so, and more services to help find a job. And the Australian Government is strongly committed to maintaining the welfare safety net–anyone who is unable to work will continue to receive income support.
Further information on the new rules can be found on the Centrelink website.
Important information for people on Parenting Payment
If you are a principal carer parent on Parenting Payment, you may be affected by the new changes. A principal carer parent is someone with primary care responsibility for a dependent child under 16.
Are you a principal carer who received Parenting Payment before 1 July 2006?
Under the new income support rules, more people are being asked to look for paid work. From 1 July 2007 or when your youngest child turns 7 (whichever is later) you’ll be asked to look for part-time work and/or to study.
Part-time means at least 30 hours of paid work a fortnight. However, you’ll continue to receive your payment until your youngest child turns 16, so long as you remain eligible.
How many hours work a fortnight will I need to look for?
Part-time work participation requirements involve:
- looking for a part-time job of at least 30 hours a fortnight
- participating in employment services (such as Job Network)
- meeting an annual part-time mutual obligation requirement.
You can fully satisfy your requirements by working at least 30 hours a fortnight.
What do I need to do now?
If you were already receiving Parenting Payment before 1 July 2006, you may have already attended an interview with Centrelink to help you understand how the changes will affect you. Centrelink may contact you some time in the coming months and ask you to attend an interview where you:
- can talk to Centrelink about your individual circumstances, including your current and future participation requirements
- will be asked to sign an activity agreement
- will be advised about Australian Government support services you can access to help you find a job. This will include information on out of school hours care and assistance with the cost of child care.
You do not need to do anything until Centrelink contacts you.
What do I do if I am already working 30 hours per fortnight?
If you are already working 30 hours or more a fortnight before becoming subject to work participation requirements you may also be required to attend an interview with Centrelink. People in this category will be the lowest priority for Centrelink to contact so they may not be in touch for a while.
If you are working 30 hours or more a fortnight, you would already be reporting your earnings to Centrelink and you can continue to do this remotely—over the phone, by fax or on the Centrelink website.
I haven’t worked for a while, where do I start?
At your interview with Centrelink, if you are required to look for work and Job Network is your appropriate employment service provider, an appointment will be made for you with a local Job Network member of your choice.
Job Network members guarantee high quality and ongoing employment services to parents who are registered with them. They also take account of parents’ cultural backgrounds, their individual needs, and the available job opportunities.
If you have no recent workforce experience you are able to access Employment Preparation immediately when you register with Job Network. If you have recent workforce experience and are still unemployed three months after registering with Job Network, you will receive Employment Preparation.
Is looking for work my only option?
You will be advised at your interview whether you need to register with Job Network to help you find part-time work. Alternatively, you may be able to satisfy your work participation requirements by studying or you could be referred to another government service for assistance.
You may qualify for an exemption from participation requirements, for example, if you are a registered and active foster carer; undertaking home schooling, distance education; or have a large family (four or more children aged under 16). There are also exemptions if you are subject to domestic violence, or have other special family circumstances.
You are also not expected to take a job offer if work would occur outside school hours and there is no suitable child care, or if you have to travel more than 60 minutes to get to work.
If you need more information, visit
Centrelink
or call 13 17 64.