3.2.9.50 Meeting Job Search Requirements - Assessment

Purpose of the fortnightly application for payment form (SU19)

The purpose of the SU19 is to assess a job seeker's entitlement to payment for the fortnightly period as stated on the form. It is also used to determine the rate of payment to be made. The form asks questions about:

• job search activities,
• any work undertaken,
• income earned, and
• changes in individual circumstances.

Failure to correctly answer these questions can result in payment being delayed and in some instances, an overpayment. If a person is overpaid due to knowingly or recklessly incorrectly answering the question about income earned, or failing to report income without a reasonable excuse, they may have a 10% recovery fee added to any debt amount raised and will have to pay back both amounts.

Policy reference: SS Guide 6.7.1.45 Ten per cent Recovery Fee on Debts from False or Non-declaration of Income from Personal Exertion

Job search activity

Job seekers MUST provide full details of their efforts to find employment by listing:

• the full name of employers they have approached for work,
• the contact address or phone number of the employers they have approached for work, AND
• the type of position for which they applied, including whether it was full-time, part-time or casual.

Job seekers CANNOT be vague in listing their efforts to find employment. They cannot simply state that they looked in the paper or on the touch screens.

The number of employers that they must have approached during the fortnight will depend on what activities they have also undertaken during the fortnight (e.g. if they have worked for a few hours, or attended an approved activity for a couple of days, the number of employers they were to have contacted may be different).

Job seekers who do not provide details of the correct number of job searches that they are required to list on their SU19 may have their payment delayed until the information is provided.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.9.30 Job Search - Setting Job Search Requirements - General

Work undertaken

A job seeker must notify of any work undertaken during the fortnightly entitlement period covered by the SU19. This includes all types of work such as:

• one off jobs,
• work experience,
• casual work even if only a few hours,
• part-time work either temporary or permanent, and
• full-time work either temporary or permanent.

Details about the work, including the number of hours worked and any income earned, even if it has not yet been received, must be recorded.

Income earned

Social security legislation requires that income from employment must be taken into account for the fortnightly entitlement period in which it is earned, not when it is paid to the employee.

The income amount declared on the SU19 must be the GROSS amount, that is the amount BEFORE tax and other deductions are taken out, PLUS any other form of benefit received from the employer. For example, if a dollar value can be placed on any valuable consideration (such as fringe benefits from an employer), that value is included in the assessment of income. Most benefits provided under salary packaging arrangements are able to be given a monetary value and included in a person's gross income.

Change in circumstances

A job seeker is required to advise Centrelink, usually within 14 days, of any event or change in circumstances that could affect their payment. Job seekers are advised of the types of things they must notify on the back of their SU19 and this information is also provided on most Centrelink letters and payment claim forms.

Example: A job seeker would need to advise of changes in details such as:

• partnered status,
• income and assets,
• number of dependent children,
• the amount of rent paid, and
• intention to leave Australia, even on holiday.

A job seeker does not have to wait until they lodge their SU19 each fortnight to notify of a change in their circumstances. They can contact Centrelink at any time by telephone, fax, post or in person at a Centrelink office.

Purpose of job seeker diaries

The job seeker diary encourages job seekers to extend their job search efforts, especially in the early stages of unemployment, and is usually issued at claim. It can also be used at other times to ensure that job seekers are genuine in their search for work.

Exception: Principal carer parents and people with a partial capacity to work are generally not required to complete a job seeker diary. However, they are required to fully complete a MO diary when asked to, including the job search component.

Requirement to complete a diary to satisfy the activity test

The requirement to complete a job seeker diary must be included as part of a job seeker's EPP. In deciding whether to issue a diary, consideration must be given to the job seeker's capacity to comply.

Job seekers participating in WFD should also be issued with a job seeker diary. This ensures that job seekers with the requirement of 4 job search contacts are able to keep a record of their job search contacts each fortnight.

Contents of the diary

The job seeker diary contains:

• information on:
  • a job seeker's obligations in the use and completion of the diary,
  • the number of job searches that must be made to satisfy their activity test requirements,
  • the requirement that a loss of the diary must be notified immediately,
  • the penalties that may apply if the diary if lost or not completed correctly, AND
  • how Centrelink assesses the diary as part of it's review work.
• pages to record a job seeker's fortnightly efforts to find employment.

When are job seeker diaries issued?

The following table shows when a job seeker diary is issued.

Note 1: Even if the job seeker does not fit one of the circumstances described in the above table, the delegate has the discretion not to issue the diary if they believe the job seeker does not have the capacity to comply.

Note 2: Principal carer parents and people with a partial capacity to work are generally not required to complete a job seeker diary.

Purpose of ECCs

An ECC provides written verification of a job seeker's approach to a prospective employer. ECCs are issued to job seekers:

• who have failed to submit a job seeker diary,
• who have submitted an unsatisfactory job seeker diary, OR
• whose work efforts have been consistently unsatisfactory.

Exception: Principal carer parents and people with partial capacity to work are generally not required to complete ECCs.

Employer to complete ECC

The ECC must be completed by an employer with an advertised job or who has work available. If a job seeker cold canvasses an employer who has no work available, they should approach another employer to get the ECC completed.

What if an employer refuses to complete the ECC or there are no jobs?

If an employer refuses to complete an ECC, a job seeker can supply alternative evidence of their job search instead of the ECC. Whatever evidence they provide must demonstrate that they have actually applied for a position that has been advertised or approached an employer with available work. Such evidence could include a copy of a job advertisement, a copy of the job seeker's application and, preferably, an email receipt indicating that the employer has received the application.

If a job seeker has difficulty completing ECCs because of a lack of employment opportunities they should discuss this with Centrelink. However, they should first ensure they have checked the local newspapers and Centrelink touchscreens for suitable work. They should also ensure that they are not unduly restricting the localities in which they are seeking work, or restricting the types of work sought.

Job seekers CAN be exempted from returning an ECC if no suitable advertised work was available.

Failing to submit satisfactory ECCs can result in loss of payment (3.1.13).

Act reference: SSAct section 601 Activity test for NSA, section 541 Activity test for YA, section 500A Participation requirements for PP, section 731A Activity test for SpB, section 606 Newstart Employment Pathway Plan-terms, section 544B(1) Youth Allowance Employment Pathway Plan-terms, section 731M(1) Special Benefit Employment Pathway Plan-terms

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.8.60 Unsuitable Work, 3.2.9.30 Job Search - Setting Job Search Requirements - General, 3.2.9.40 Job Search - Setting Job Search Requirements - Job Seekers with Part-time Requirements, 3.1.13 Compliance Framework for Participation Payments

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Last reviewed: 1 July 2009