Welfare to Work Implementation

1

• Welfare to Work Implementation
• Compliance Framework

2

• Today, well be looking at
• background
• the new compliance framework
• participation reporting- how to do it
• reconnection and
• how these should work for you and the job seeker
  and the discretion you have to use your judgement
  when it comes to PRs

3
Annual Change in Share of People Aged 65 Years
and older in the Population 1922 2051
Changes in share of population aged 65 years and
over ( points)
Source Economic Implications of an Ageing
Australia
4
Growth in Australian Labour Market
Now
Source KPMG
5
Employment/Population Ratio 2005 Persons Aged 15
64 Years
Source OECD Employment Outlook
6
NSA/YA, DSP, PPS and PPP Population 1981 2006
7

• Our Future Labour Market
• a decrease in the proportion of those of working
  age in the population
• a corresponding change in the welfare vs.
  workforce balance
• more crucial to enable and encourage those with a
  capacity for work to enter the workforce.

8

• Objectives
• A simpler and more effective Compliance Framework
  to support participation
• Work first principle
• Communication - building and maintaining
  effective relationships

9

• New Compliance Framework
• clearer link between income support and job
  seeker participation
• supports rapid re-engagement
• encourages participation and work according to
  capacity

10

• Main Features
• New contact and notification models
• Vulnerability indicator to alert you and
  Centrelink to issues
• Participation Report triggers Centrelink
  investigation and intervention
• Specialised, consistent decision-making by
  Centrelink

11

• Main Features continued
• Warnings without penalty for some failures
• Financial penalties only for serious or repeated
  failures or not re-engaging
• Safety net (financial case management)

12

• Participation Solutions Teams
• (APSTs and NPST)
• All PRs investigated at 15 Centrelink Area sites
  (APST)
• PRs relating to 8-week NPPs decided by one
  national team (NPST)

13

• Consistent, specialised action
• Where possible, 3-way discussions re job seekers
  non-compliance
• PRs treated more consistently
• Direct feedback and outcomes from one contact
  point

14

• Vulnerability Indicator
• Identifies issues/factors that might impact on
  job seekers capacity to comply
• Recorded by Centrelink
• Time-limited, subject to review

15

• Vulnerabilities
• Must be taken into account by provider and
  Centrelink but
• Do not automatically mean reasonable excuse or
  preclude submission of a PR

16
Vulnerable indicator ES SmartClient
The Vulnerability tab is found in the Job seeker
Registration
17
Vulnerable alert in Participation Report
18

• New Notification Model
• PAGES have the same legal authority as Centrelink
  to notify job seekers of requirements
• Direct, personal communication to achieve better
  understanding of obligations
• Most methods acceptable, provided job seeker
  given reasonable notice

19

• Job Seeker Notification
• Must include all elements of a notice
• reason for requirement
• date, time and place
• consequences of failing to comply
• sufficient time to act on the requirement.

20
Summary of Changes

• Pre 1 July 2006
• 1st breach
• 18 for 26 weeks
• 2nd breach
• 24 for 26 weeks
• 3rd breach
• 8 week non payment period

• From 1 July 2006
• 1st participation failure
• no penalty
• 2nd participation failure
• no penalty
• 3rd participation failure
• 8 week non payment period
• Serious failure
• 8 week non payment period

21

• Participation Failures
• Failing to look for suitable work
• Failing to attend a job interview
• Failing to attend an appointment
• Failing to comply with an Activity Agreement

22

• Serious Failures
• Refusing a suitable job offer
• Voluntarily leaving a job
• Dismissal from a job for misconduct

23

• Serious Failures
• 8 week non payment period
• Cant be reduced or waived i.e. clean slated

24

• Participation Reports
• Key element of new compliance framework
• Help Centrelink make informed, balanced decisions
• Better documentation of relevant evidence
  produces better outcomes
• Training and support is available

25

• PR Process preliminary steps
• Identify type of failure for PR
• Check job seekers status
• Check for vulnerability indicator, and take
  vulnerabilities into account

26

• PR Process post-event contact
• make 2 attempts to contact job seeker
• if contacted, was there a valid reason for
  non-compliance?
• if valid reason exists, record this as reason for
  not submitting PR
• if no valid reason given, or job seeker not
  contactable, submit PR

27

• PR Process Centrelink role
• Centrelink takes steps to contact job seeker
• APST determines whether or not a failure has
  occurred
• APST advises job seeker and records outcome of PR
  (applied or rejected), and
• APST arranges reconnection appointment with you.

28

• Understanding your role
• You have discretion in deciding whether to
  submit a PR
• Centrelink is responsible for compliance and
  reconnection action
• You need to work together to achieve best
  outcomes for the job seeker

29

• Reasonable excuse (valid reason)
• Was the reason given by job seeker
• Unforseen?
• Outside the job seekers control?
• Related to a known vulnerability?
• If not, PR is probably warranted

30
Comments in EA3000
The Comments tab is found in the Job seeker
Registration
31

• Resubmitting a PR
• PR can be resubmitted if rejected
• for an incorrect incident date
• due to insufficient documentation
• You must resubmit PR within 5 business days

32
Resubmit functionality in the Participation Report
33

• Reconnection
• To PAGES within 48 hours of contact to discuss PR
• Job seeker will start to lose payment for each
  day he/she fails to reconnect

34

• Your responsibility
• Support 48 hour reconnection
• Report job seekers non-attendance by cob of same
  day

35

• Financial Case Management
• Financial help for eligible job seekers with NPP
• Payment of essential expenses
• Job seekers with vulnerable dependants
• Job seekers who are exceptionally vulnerable

36

• Financial Case Management
• Services provided by registered NGOs
• Where no NGO, Centrelink provides this service

37

• Conclusion
• New engagement and compliance arrangements
• More effective processes
• Communication flexible and personalised is the
  key

38
Questions