Eligibility requirements for Continuing Participants
To be a Continuing Participant a person must:
- be ‘active’ in CDEPManager on 30 June 2009
- not have a break of more than two consecutive weeks, other than approved paid leave. If a Continuing Participant leaves CDEP to take up a off-CDEP job, they cannot return to CDEP within the two weeks if they leave the off-CDEP job voluntarily
- continue to meet eligibility requirements in the program funding agreement
- register with an Employment Service provider in their area (where there is one) by 30 September 2009, or register with an Employment Service provider that starts services after 30 September 2009 in their area—participants must register with these services two months after the service starts
- be willing, able and available to take up CDEP Services or Projects or an offer of off-CDEP work—not accepting a job offer without a reasonable explanation may affect eligibility to continue in CDEP
- sign a Participant Acknowledgement Form and comply with its conditions—the participant and the CDEP provider each keep an original copy of the signed form
Eligibility requirements for New Participants
To be a New Participant a person must be:
- Indigenous and receiving income support from Centrelink (excluding Sickness Allowance)
- registered with an Employment Service provider
- referred to the CDEP by their Employment Service provider.
CDEP Participant Plan
CDEP providers develop Participant Plans with New and Continuing Participants who do not have an Employment Pathway Plan with an Employment Service Provider.
The participant plan must include the CDEP participant’s:
- work goals and aspirations
- education achievements
- work history
- skills’ profile
- training needs.
The plan must also outline what assistance and support the CDEP provider will provide to the participant.
Other issues affecting CDEP providers and participants
CDEP Participant Supplement
CDEP Participant Supplements are paid by Centrelink to eligible, Continuing Participants only. The ongoing supplement helps with the cost of participating in the CDEP program.
CDEP providers’ tax obligations
For information from the Australian Taxation Office about tax obligations:
- go to www.ato.gov.au
- call 132866
- call the National Aboriginal and Islander Resource Centre on 13 1030.
Mobility assistance
CDEP Work Readiness funds, and Employment Service funds (sourced through Employment Service providers) provided can be used for mobility assistance to help participants’ access training, work experience or jobs outside home communities —for example, to assist with transport, accommodation, and regular visits back to home communities.
Support for past and current CDEP participants
CDEP providers should keep in regular contact with past and current CDEP participants. With ongoing assistance and support from providers, participants are more likely to stay in employment, training or work experience.
Keeping in contact like this also means CDEP providers will know exactly when to claim their CDEP employment, training and work experience outcome payments.