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Job seekers classified under section 5 of the SSAct as a principal carer (1.1.P.412) of a child are taken to satisfy their activity test by satisfying the terms of a compliant EPP, including participation in approved activities (1.1.E.103).
A principal carer will meet their participation requirements if they are looking for suitable paid work where the work is of at least 30 hours per fortnight, and participating in any other activities as specified in their EPP.
A principal carer can also choose to fully meet their requirements by undertaking 30 hours per fortnight of (or any combination of) suitable paid work, approved study (where the total number of hours includes contact and non-contact hours) and in some circumstances voluntary work. If the principal carer is not fully meeting their requirements in this way they will generally be required to look for suitable work or undertake other suitable activities as part of their EPP until their requirements are met.
Principal carers who are meeting their requirements through paid work, study or a combination of paid work and study for a total of at least 30 hours per fortnight are not required to remain connected to their employment services provider or accept any offers of suitable paid work.
Principal carers who are undertaking approved study, by itself or in combination with other suitable activities, who do not fully meet their requirements will be required to accept any suitable paid work that fits around any study that is outlined in their EPP, and is appropriate in respect of their caring responsibilities.
Principal carers who are undertaking voluntary work by itself or in combination with other suitable activities to meet the activity test must remain connected to an employment services provider. Principal carers who are also early school leavers must comply with the early school leaver policy and activities included in their EPPs must reflect these requirements.
A principal carer NSA or YA (other) recipient may choose to meet their participation requirements through job search if they wish to.
Principal carers receiving NSA and YA (other) are not required to participate in additional job search if they are meeting requirements by participating in at least 30 hours per fortnight, of any combination of paid work, study or voluntary work (in some circumstances).
Refer to 3.2.9.20 for more information on job search for principal carers.
Principal carers can fully meet the activity test through suitable paid work of at least 30 hours per fortnight.
Principal carers receiving NSA, YA (job seeker) and SpB who are fully meeting their activity test requirements through study need to comply with the following:
A PP recipient is able to fully meet their participation requirements through study of at least 30 hours per fortnight, including both contact and non-contact study hours. A PP recipient is also able to participate in any course approved under section 5D of the Student Assistance Act 1973. There are no course length restrictions on PP recipients who choose to study to meet their participation requirements. Those who begin an approved course prior to transferring to either NSA or YA (job seeker) are entitled to complete the course they started as long as they continue to meet the activity test by doing at least 30 hours of approved activities per fortnight.
Refer to 1.1.P.418 for further information on principal carers and study including confirming a recipient's contact and non-contact hours.
A principal carer will fully satisfy the activity test by undertaking any combination of part-time paid work and approved part-time study, as long as the total time spent on both activities meets the required 30 hours per fortnight.
Example: John is a principal carer on NSA and he works part-time in a video store for 8 hours per week. In order to satisfy the activity test, without also undertaking job search, he must participate in approved activities outlined in his EPP for at least 30 hours per fortnight. John decides he might undertake a short course where his course will last 24 weeks in retail management at his local TAFE, to further his future employment opportunities. After confirming the course is approved John's provider enters it into his EPP. As his course requires 8 hours of study per week, including contact and non-contact hours, John is fully meeting his requirements of 30 hours per fortnight and may choose to exit from his employment services provider if he wishes.
In some circumstances principal carers can satisfy the activity test by undertaking voluntary work either by itself or in combination with approved study and/or paid work for a combined total of at least 30 hours per fortnight.
Principal carers can only undertake voluntary work if it is approved by an employment services provider and providers can only approve voluntary work for principal carers if ALL the following conditions are met:
Principal carers who are undertaking voluntary work by itself or in combination with other suitable activities to meet the activity test must remain connected to an employment services provider. They will be required to accept any suitable paid work that fits around any study (if any) that is outlined in their EPP, and is appropriate in respect of their caring responsibilities.
Where a principal carer is aged 55 years and over they can fully satisfy their participation requirements through undertaking voluntary work.
Refer to 3.2.9.130 for more information on principal carers and voluntary work, including examples of appropriate voluntary work.
Act reference: SSAct section 544C Youth Allowance Employment Pathway Plans-principal carers, section 607 Newstart Employment Pathway Plans-principal carers
Student Assistance Act 1973 see section 5D
Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.E.103 Employment pathway plan (NSA, YA (job seekers), PP), 1.1.S.410 Suitable activities (NSA, YA), 3.5.1.190 Other Suitable Activities (PP), 1.1.P.412 Principal carer, 3.2.9.20 Job Search - Overview, 1.1.P.418 Principal carer - study, 3.2.9.130 Suitable Activity - Voluntary Work
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Last reviewed: 30 April 2012
