1. Eligibility, referrals and direct registration

Supporting Documents for this Chapter

Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required)

• Steps to ensure Referrals – Provider Actions

• Direct Registration Form

• Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Employer Form

• State and Territory School Disability Funding Arrangements

1.1 Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §1.1

Inclusive Employment Australia is an employment service that supports people with disability, an injury or a health condition to find and maintain Employment, including people:

• who have an assessed current baseline work capacity, and an assessed future work capacity with intervention, of less than 30 hours per week due to their disability, injury, or health condition, or

• whose Employment is at risk as they have difficulty fulfilling the essential requirements of their role due to their disability, injury, or health condition.

Participants are generally Referred to Services from Services Australia, through the Department’s IT Systems.

Some Participants can choose to volunteer to take part in Services and can Directly Register with a Provider.

Providers must confirm that all persons who are Referred or Directly Registered meet the eligibility criteria for Inclusive Employment Australia before they are Commenced in Services — either the general eligibility criteria or special eligibility criteria. Participants must be Commenced to receive Services from the Provider.

This Chapter outlines:

• general eligibility criteria for Inclusive Employment Australia

• special eligibility criteria that allow identified cohorts of Participants to access Inclusive Employment Australia

• Referral processes, and

• Direct Registration processes.

Note: This Chapter should be read in conjunction with the Provider Transition Advicesign-in required (sign-in required) for guidance on eligibility checks for Transitioned Participants who were Referred or Directly Registered and had not yet Commenced under the former Disability Employment Services (DES) program.

1.2 General eligibility criteriaCopy citation · §1.2

A person is eligible to receive Inclusive Employment Australia Services if they meet the criteria in the following table, unless eligible under specific pathways outlined in Section 1.3 Special eligibility criteria, and are not already be receiving support from an Other Employment Service Provider as shown on the Department’s IT Systems.

Information about general eligibility will be collected through the Job Seeker Snapshot and Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) or Job Capacity Assessment (JCA). In these Guidelines the term ‘ESAt’ includes JCAs. For more information about these Assessments including the status of Assessments (Current and Valid), see Chapter 2: Assessments.

Note: If a person in an Other Employment Service has a new ESAt that recommends Inclusive Employment Australia, commencement in Inclusive Employment Australia will exit the person from the Other Employment Service.

If a Provider considers a Referred Participant does not meet the general eligibility criteria, the Provider must either:

• dispute the ESAt by requesting a review of the ESAt report as outlined in Chapter 2: Assessments, or

• if a student studying full-time, refer the person back to Services Australia.

Note: A Provider can also dispute an aspect of the ESAt for an eligible Participant, such as the assessed level of work capacity. Refer to Section 2.4 Employment Services Assessment.

In addition, a Provider that is a Specific Cohort Provider must direct any person who is not a member of their relevant Specific Cohort:

• back to Services Australia if Referred to the Provider by Services Australia, or

• to another Inclusive Employment Australia Provider that would be able to provide Services to the Participant if trying to Directly Register with the Provider.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 100.2, 101.2, 106.3, 108.1(a))

System step — Providers can check a person’s eligibility by reviewing the ‘Servicing and Eligibility’ screen of the Participant’s record on the Department’s IT Systems.

Note: The Department’s IT Systems should not allow a person to be Referred to an Inclusive Employment Australia Provider if the person does not meet the general eligibility criteria.

Once a person is Commenced as an Inclusive Employment Australia Participant:

• their eligibility will generally not be tested again, and

• in most instances Participants who cease to meet eligibility criteria are not Exited.

For more information, see relevant Sections in Chapter 3: Commencements, Transfers, Suspensions and Exits.

General eligibility criteria

Note: See Section 3.6.4 Participants resuming their Period of Service after Exit for arrangements for Participants who Exit and resume their Period of Service within 13 weeks.

1.3 Special eligibility criteriaCopy citation · §1.3

A person may also be eligible to receive Inclusive Employment Australia Services if they meet other eligibility conditions that focus on special eligibility cohorts as outlined in this Section. Where a person meets special eligibility criteria to access Inclusive Employment Australia:

• the person will be Directly Registered by the Provider — refer to Section 1.5 Direct Registration of Participants, and

• the Provider must collect Documentary Evidence to show the person’s eligibility.

Special eligibility criteria described below include:

• changes to general eligibility criteria for that special eligibility group, and/or

• additional eligibility requirements related to that special eligibility group.

1.3.1 Eligible School LeaversCopy citation · §1.3.1

Eligible School Leaver (ESL) eligibility helps people who are seeking to transition from study to post-school Open Employment and require support in Employment.

On Commencement, an ESL Participant will have an Employment Benchmark of 8 hours.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep a copy of the Direct Registration Form that includes information to show the Participant’s eligibility as an ESL Participant, and other evidence of a person’s eligibility as an ESL Participant.

System step — Providers must Directly Register an ESL Participant on the Department’s IT Systems using the Special Placement Flag for ‘Eligible School Leaver’.

Note: The other evidence needed to show a person’s eligibility as an ESL Participant will depend on their individual circumstances as outlined below.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 108.3)

ESL Participant eligibility criteria

Note: Refer to the State and Territory School Disability Funding Arrangementssign-in required (sign-in required) supporting document on the Provider Portal for information on eligible State and Territory Government post-school employment and transition to work programs.

Single Period of Service

ESL Participants are restricted to a single Period of Service in Inclusive Employment Australia. Once an ESL Participant has Exited Inclusive Employment Australia, they are no longer eligible to access Inclusive Employment Australia through this ESAt-exempt pathway. To re-enter Inclusive Employment Australia ESL Participants must have an ESAt that is both Current and Valid to confirm their eligibility.

Major barriers to Employment

Access as an ESL Participant is restricted to students with major barriers to employment because of their disability. This includes those with severe physical or mental impairment that limits their functional capacity relating to mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance and work skills.

This is evidenced by additional education funding needed as part of a person’s secondary schooling or receiving DSP.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep Documentary Evidence related to the person’s additional education funding needs. This includes:

• A statement from student’s school (or former school) that clearly:

• names the student

• states the student’s identified disability, and

• states that due to their disability the student is attending (or previously attended, for secondary students at a TAFE or similar institution):

  • a mainstream class at a mainstream school, and names the program providing disability funding to the school for the student

  • a disability special class in a mainstream school

  • a disability special school, or

  • a mainstream class at a mainstream school, for students who are DSP participants.

  • A statement from the school must:

• be from the school principal or similar position, or their representative

• be in the form of a signed letter on the relevant letterhead, or email with identified signature block, and

• include the date and the name and position of the person making the statement.

  • If the Participant is a DSP recipient in a mainstream class, either a:

• letter from Services Australia confirming receipt of the DSP, or

• screen print out of the Department’s IT Systems ‘Allowance History’ screen showing the student’s receipt of the DSP.

Students transitioning from secondary schooling

Students can access Inclusive Employment Australia as an ESL Participant to help with transitioning from school to work where they are in either:

• their final year of secondary schooling — this is usually Year 12, but may be earlier if the student, parent or legal guardian, and school have agreed that this will be the student’s final schooling year, or

• an Australian School-based Apprenticeship that has been changed to accommodate the job seeker’s accessibility needs.

Note: Students who are in Year 11 and who have registered as continuing students for Year 12 are permitted to Directly Register and Commence in DES as an ESL from 1 December in the year prior to Year 12.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep Documentary Evidence related to the person’s transition from secondary schooling. This must include one or more of the following:

• a statement from the school confirming that the student is in their final year of school and is leaving school at the end of the current year

• a copy of student’s most recent school report that shows the school year that the student is currently enrolled in

• a letter or email from the school principal (or representative) saying that, after discussing the student’s education requirements with the student and their parents or legal guardian, all parties have agreed that the student is in their final year of secondary school

• a statement from the training organisation setting out the accessibility adjustments that have been made to the delivery of any course as part of an Australian School-based Apprenticeship to accommodate the student’s disability, and/or

• relevant paperwork confirming Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support Program approval.

Note: A Provider must obtain and keep proof of an ESL Participant’s completion of their final year of secondary schooling.

School leavers and participants in work transition programs

A person can access Inclusive Employment Australia as an ESL Participant to get help finding work if they:

• previously participated in NDIS-funded employment assistance and exited the program within the past 20 Business Days, or

• are in the final six months of, or exited within the past 20 Business Days, an eligible State or Territory Government post-school employment or transition to work program for people with disability.

Providers are encouraged to work in partnership with schools, State and Territory Government funded Training organisations and other relevant local government or community organisations to facilitate placements in Australian School-based Apprenticeships, and support students in both work and study.

If a Provider cannot Commence a person within 20 Business Days of their exit from NDIS-funded employment assistance or a State or Territory Government post-school employment transition to work program for people with disability, the Provider can seek written approval from their Account Manager to do so after that time.

Other information on eligible programs is included in the State and Territory School Disability Funding Arrangementssign-in required (sign-in required) supporting document on the Provider Portal.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep Documentary Evidence related to the person’s transition from NDIS funded employment assistance or an eligible State or Territory Government post-school employment or transition to work program. This includes:

• A statement from the NDIS provider that clearly:

• names the person

• confirms the person was participating in a NDIS-funded employment assistance program, and

• identifies the dates the person started and completed the NDIS-funded employment assistance program.

  • A statement from the State or Territory Government post-school employment or transition to work program provider, that clearly:

• names the person

• names the post-school employment or transition to work program

• confirms the person was in the program, and

• identifies the dates the person started and completed, or is expected to complete, the program.

Note: A statement must either be in the form of a signed letter on the relevant letterhead or an email with identified signature block. It must include the date and the name and position of the person making the statement.

1.3.2 Special Class ClientsCopy citation · §1.3.2

Special Class Client (SCC) eligibility provides access to Inclusive Employment Australia, for people who acquired a disability, injury or illness through being present at a specified extreme event.

On Commencement, an SCC Participant will be assigned an Employment Benchmark of 8 hours.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep a copy of the Direct Registration Form that includes information to show the Participant’s eligibility as an SCC Participant, and other evidence of a person’s eligibility as a SCC Participant.

System step — Providers must Directly Register an ESL Participant on the Department’s IT Systems using the Special Placement Flag for ’Special Class Client’.

Note: SCC eligibility is needed very infrequently. The Department will review use of SCC eligibility and may independently look to confirm that a SCC was present at the declared extreme event.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 108.2)

SCC Participant eligibility criteria

Evidence requirement — Providers must obtain and keep the following Documentary Evidence.

• A Statutory Declaration from the Participant saying they were present at either the Bali Bombings, Asian Tsunami, or London Bombings, and

• A Medical Certificate issued by a General Practitioner, or other Record that provides medical evidence verifying the person has a disability, injury or health condition.

1.3.3 NDIS participantsCopy citation · §1.3.3

NDIS participant eligibility streamlines access to Inclusive Employment Australia for those who are receiving NDIS services as it allows access to Inclusive Employment Australia for NDIS participants who have an ESAt that was conducted at any time, and that included a recommendation to another employment service or a recommendation of ‘unable to benefit’. More detail is available in Section 2.4.3 ESAt requirements for DSP recipients and NDIS participants.

NDIS participants can be employed at or above their work capacity if in a Supported Employment Service.

NDIS participant eligibility criteria

Note: A person who wishes to access Inclusive Employment Australia using the special eligibility criteria for NDIS participants, must disclose to the Provider that they are a NDIS participant, and provide Documentary Evidence as outlined below. If a NDIS Participant does not wish to disclose this information, they may enter Inclusive Employment Australia using the general eligibility criteria, including the requirement to have a Valid ESAt.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep a copy of the Direct Registration Form that includes information to show the Participant’s is a NDIS participant.

Evidence requirement — Providers must obtain and keep one of the following forms of Documentary Evidence:

• The cover letter for the person’s current NDIS plan — a copy of the cover letter can be printed from the NDIS portal, or

• An ‘access met’ letter, recognising the person’s eligibility for NDIS supports.

Note: A person does not need to provide their NDIS plan, and if they do, a copy of the plan should not be kept.

1.3.4 DSP recipientsCopy citation · §1.3.4

DSP recipient eligibility streamlines access to the Inclusive Employment Australia for those receiving this Income Support Payment. It allows access to Inclusive Employment Australia for DSP recipients who have an earlier ESAt that was conducted at any time (noting that an assessment generally will have been undertaken as part of determining eligibility for DSP), regardless of whether it included a recommendation to Inclusive Employment Australia or DES, an Other Employment Service or a recommendation of ‘unable to benefit’. More detail is available in Section 2.4.3 ESAt requirements for DSP recipients and NDIS participants.

DSP recipient eligibility criteria

1.3.5 Pre-Release PrisonersCopy citation · §1.3.5

Pre-Release Prisoner (PRP) eligibility allows eligible prisoners or detainees access to Inclusive Employment Australia while they are in custody to maximise their Employment support following their release, this includes those who can leave prison on day release.

State and territory corrective or youth justice services will refer PRPs they consider suitable to Providers. Providers should create links with corrective or youth justice services, so that they are ready to receive Referrals.

PRPs must be Directly Registered by the Provider following a referral from the state or territory corrective services agency or youth justice service if they meet the PRP Participant eligibility criteria.

If a person is Referred to a Provider and does not meet PRP Participant eligibility criteria, the Provider must not Directly Register the person and should advise the relevant state or territory corrective or youth justice service accordingly.

System step — Providers must apply the ‘Pre-Release Prisoner’ special client type indicator to the Participant’s record in the Department’s IT Systems.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep the relevant referral of the PRP Participant.

Note: Refer to Section 2.4 Employment Services Assessment for further information about ESAt requirements for PRPs.

PRP Participant eligibility criteria

Note: The Department’s IT Systems will remove the PRP special client type indicator after the person’s release, if they are in receipt of an Income Support Payment. Where possible, Providers are encouraged to remove the flag as soon as they become aware the person has been released from custody.

1.3.6 Ongoing Support (Work Assist) ParticipantsCopy citation · §1.3.6

Ongoing Support (Work Assist) eligibility allows people already in Employment to access Ongoing Support. It supports people who are having difficulty meeting the essential functions of their job because of their disability, injury or health condition.

Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participants can either self-refer or, with their consent, be referred by their Employer.

When an employee commences as an Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participant, they immediately start to receive Ongoing Support to maintain their Employment. Chapter 10: Ongoing Support describes how a Provider must arrange an Ongoing Support Assessment and deliver Ongoing Support to an Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participant.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep a copy of the Direct Registration Form that includes information to show the Participant’s eligibility as an Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participant.

System step — Providers must Directly Register an Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participant on the Department’s IT Systems using the Special Placement Flag for ‘Work Assist’.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 108.4)

Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participant eligibility criteria

Disability, illness or health condition

Evidence requirement — Providers must obtain and keep the following Documentary Evidence of the Participant’s disability, illness or health condition:

• Recent medical evidence from a suitably qualified professional identifying:

• the nature of the person’s disability, injury or illness

• how long the condition(s) has lasted / is expected to last, and

• how the condition affects (or conditions affect) the person and their ability to do their job.

Note: Evidence should be from within the last 2 years. If the condition described is permanent, the Provider can determine that older evidence adequately describes the effect of the injury, disability or health condition.

Current work

Providers should generally work with the person’s Employer to collect appropriate Documentary Evidence of their eligibility and need for Ongoing Support (Work Assist) through the Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Employer Formsign-in required (sign-in required) available on the Provider Portal.

If the person has not agreed to disclose their disability or request for support to their Employer, the evidence usually provided through the Employer Form must be collected from the person using alternative evidence listed below.

Evidence requirement — A fully completed and signed Employer Form is acceptable Documentary Evidence of the person’s current Employment.

Evidence requirement — Alternatives to the Employer Form include:

• Evidence of Employment over the past 12 Consecutive Weeks, such as Payslips or a signed and dated statement by the employee or their Employer confirming:

• Employer name

• Employment details, including date Commenced

• Employment has lasted/will last for at least 12 weeks, and

• employee’s hours of Employment each week (usual and current).

  • Evidence of difficulty carrying out job requirements through a signed and dated statement by either the employee or their Employer confirming:

• that they are having difficulties fulfilling the essential requirements of their job, due to the impact of their injury, disability or health condition, and

• why do they consider that they need Inclusive Employment Australia assistance.

An employee cannot receive Ongoing Support as an Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participant if:

• the only support they need is available through Employment Assistance Fund (EAF), or

• they are currently being supported in Other Employment Services.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep a file note stating why they assessed the Participant as requiring Ongoing Support (Work Assist).

1.4 Referral of ParticipantsCopy citation · §1.4

An initial Referral connects a person with a Provider based on a ESAt that has recommended Inclusive Employment Australia — or Disability Employment Services — as the most appropriate employment service. Referred Participants will have been assessed under the Job Seeker Assessment Framework (refer to Section 2.2 Job Seeker Assessment Framework for further information).

This includes people who have a recommended program referral of Inclusive Employment Australia in their Valid ESAt who have been in Workforce Australia Online for up to 12 months.

A Referral may occur when the ESAt report has been submitted or after an Exemption period as part of a deferred Referral.

Referred Participants are already Registered on the Department’s IT Systems. The Referral will have been made by Services Australia, the Department, or the National Customer Service Line (NCSL). A Referral may also be made by another Inclusive Employment Australia Provider in the case of a Transferred Participant.

1.4.1 Referral processesCopy citation · §1.4.1

Referral to Inclusive Employment Australia by Services Australia will occur when there is a Current and Valid ESAt (refer to Section 2.4 Employment Services Assessment for further information).

An ESAt will usually refer the person to Inclusive Employment Australia, rather than an Other Employment Service, if:

• the person’s disability, injury or health condition is their main barrier to work, and

• the person is eligible for Inclusive Employment Australia and able to benefit from Inclusive Employment Australia.

Where the ESAt finds that the person is eligible for and able to benefit from Inclusive Employment Australia, the Services Australia Assessor will, after completing their recommendations, refer the person to a Provider of their choice or select system allocation to a Provider. At this stage of the process, the person is an Inclusive Employment Australia Participant.

The Assessor will help the Participant to review local Providers and, if the participant requires assistance, will support the Participant to choose the Provider that best meets their needs. The Assessor will then Refer the Participant to the chosen Provider. If a Participant does not wish to choose their own Provider, the Department’s IT Systems will assign an appropriate Provider.

Participant choice of their Provider is an important element of Inclusive Employment Australia. Participants will be able to choose a Provider delivering Services in their area based on where they live, including any relevant Specific Cohort Providers, if applicable. Participants are encouraged to review Provider options on the JobAccess site, ahead of their ESAt.

Note: Services Australia does not offer a choice of Providers when conducting an ESAt for a person who Directly Registered with a Provider, because the person exercised choice when Directly Registering. The person will be Referred back to the Provider they Directly Registered with. The person can choose to transfer to another Provider whenever they wish after this point.

If the person has transferred from an Other Employment Service to Inclusive Employment Australia, Services Australia will Refer the Participant to an Inclusive Employment Australia Provider. The Provider must cooperate and work collaboratively with the Other Employment Service Provider to support the Participant’s smooth transition into Inclusive Employment Australia, in the same way that two Inclusive Employment Australia Providers must cooperate when a Participant transfers from one Provider to another, if requested to do so under these Guidelines. Refer to Section 3.2 Commencements for more information about Commencing Participants transferring from Other Employment Services.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 106)

1.4.2 Receiving ReferralsCopy citation · §1.4.2

Creating Appointment sessions

A Referral is actioned by Services Australia through scheduling the person in an Initial Interview against an available session (see Section 3.2.2 Initial Interview).

Providers are responsible for ensuring that Participants can be referred to them by having sessions available in the Electronic Calendar on the Department’s IT Systems.

It is up to Providers to determine how many sessions they make available in the Electronic Calendar to manage their current and potential Caseload.

Providers must have Initial Interview appointments available within the next 2 business days. It is recommended that Providers maintain available initial appointments up to 10 business days to allow for referrals for participants who require mail notification.

System step — Providers must create sessions in the Provider’s Electronic Calendar to ensure that they can receive a Referral — appropriate session types for Initial Interviews are ‘Initial appointment’ or ‘All Appointment Types’.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 112.1)

More detailed information is available in the Steps to ensure Referrals – Provider Actionssign-in required (sign-in required) supporting document.

Confirming Registration details, eligibility and Participant details

When a Provider receives a Referral from Services Australia, the Provider must:

• review information in the ESAt and Registration Record to confirm they are current, and

• confirm that the Participant is eligible to Commence.

Note: Although Services Australia and the Department’s IT Systems confirm the person’s eligibility when they are Referred, the person’s circumstances may change before they can be Commenced. For example, if a person has already started work at an average number of hours per week equal to or greater than their Employment Benchmark, they must not be Commenced.

If a Provider considers that a person is not eligible for Inclusive Employment Australia, the Provider must:

• advise the person that they are not eligible

• Exit the person from the Inclusive Employment Australia, and

• if the person has Mutual Obligation Requirements and reports they have been working at least 15 hours per week, advise the person to contact Services Australia for an assessment of whether they are Fully Meeting their requirements.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 106.3)

1.5 Direct Registration of ParticipantsCopy citation · §1.5

Providers can Register certain people who approach them directly seeking employment services. This is known as Direct Registration.

To be eligible for Direct Registration, a person must:

• not be currently Referred to a Provider

• not be currently Referred to an Other Employment Service, and

• meet general or special eligibility criteria for the Inclusive Employment Australia — refer to Section 1.2 General eligibility criteria and Section 1.3 Special eligibility criteria.

If the Provider becomes aware that the person does not meet the Inclusive Employment Australia general or special eligibility criteria, the Provider must not proceed with the Direct Registration process.

Note: After completing the Direct Registration process, a Provider may need to request an ESAt to confirm eligibility (see next actions under Section 1.5.6 Submitting the Job Seeker Registration).

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 108)

1.5.1 Participant RegistrationCopy citation · §1.5.1

A person must be Registered on the Department’s IT Systems before they can receive Services. The Job Seeker Registration process:

• collects information to confirm the person’s identity

• records any special eligibility the person meets, if applicable — when the Registration shows that special eligibility applies, the Department’s IT Systems checks that eligibility instead of general eligibility

• creates a Job Seeker Registration record or updates an existing Job Seeker Registration record for the person on the Department’s IT Systems and allocates a Job Seeker Identification (JSID)

• connects the person’s Job Seeker Registration record with their Customer Reference Number (CRN) in Services Australia’s IT system — this provides relevant information about the person’s income support status and participation requirement details, and

• allows the person to be referred for an ESAt and/or to be Commenced by the Provider to start receiving Services.

Unlike the Referral process by Services Australia, when a Provider Directly Registers a Participant:

• the Provider may need to request an ESAt on behalf of the Participant

• if the Provider referred the person for an ESAt, the person will be Referred back to the Provider if the ESAt confirms the person is eligible to receive Services, and

• if the person meets all general eligibility criteria or special eligibility criteria, the Provider can Commence the person as an Inclusive Employment Australia Participant.

Evidence requirement — If a person will be using special eligibility to access Inclusive Employment Australia, the Provider must collect information and Documentary Evidence to show the person meets special eligibility as detailed in Section 1.3 Special eligibility criteria.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 108)

1.5.2 Direct Registration FormCopy citation · §1.5.2

Providers must collect information about a Directly Registering person using the unaltered, complete Direct Registration Formsign-in required (sign-in required) available on the Provider Portal.

The Direct Registration Form obtains:

• Personal Information so that the person can be Directly Registered, and

• the person’s consent to use that Personal Information.

The Provider must ensure the person understands the information contained in the Direct Registration Form. This may require use of an interpreter. The person can choose to also have a support person and/or advocate present.

All relevant Direct Registration Form questions must be answered. All relevant fields must be correctly completed, including proof of identity checks. The form must be signed and dated by the person (or their legal guardian) and by the Provider representative.

Evidence requirement — The Direct Registration Form must be kept on file as Documentary Evidence to support the Participant’s Direct Registration and Commencement in Inclusive Employment Australia.

1.5.3 Proof of IdentityCopy citation · §1.5.3

To confirm the identity of the person, the Provider must sight originals or certified copies of acceptable documentation as outlined in the table below.

Acceptable identity documents

A Provider must certify on the Direct Registration Form that they have sighted the proof of identity documents (including any Photo ID). A copy of the documentation must not be kept.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 113.1)

1.5.4 Job Seeker ID searchCopy citation · §1.5.4

Each Job Seeker Registration record has a unique JSID. Providers must search for any existing JSID for the person on the Department’s IT Systems before creating a new Registration Record. This is important to:

• reduce unnecessary data entry and minimise duplicate Records, and

• ensure relevant information about the person’s eligibility and history are considered.

System step — Providers can search for an existing Registration Record on the Department’s IT Systems ‘Job Seeker Search’ screen.

Actions following Job Seeker ID search

1.5.5 Linking the Customer Reference Number to the Registration recordCopy citation · §1.5.5

Providers must obtain and link the person’s CRN to their JSID. This is important because:

• it transfers important information from Services Australia, such as the person’s Income Support Payment type, recent Referrals and Mutual Obligation Requirements, and

• no Inclusive Employment Australia claims can be lodged if a CRN is not linked to a Participant’s JSID.

If a person knows their CRN, Providers should ask that they supply it as part of the Direct Registration Form. People already have a CRN if they are receiving (or previously received) an Income Support Payment.

If the person does not know their CRN or does not have one, the Provider must verify the person’s details. The Provider should contact Services Australia Participation Solutions Team on 1300 306 325 with the person present, if possible. Otherwise, the Provider must advise the person to contact Services Australia and request a CRN for the purpose of Registering for employment services.

Services Australia will provide the person’s CRN if a record is found. If a record cannot be found, the Provider must request the creation of a CRN by Services Australia.

System step — To link a CRN and JSID, select the ‘Link’ button found on the ‘Registration’ screen in the Department’s IT Systems.

Note: An error message will appear if the data held by Services Australia does not match the CRN and details entered.

1.5.6 Submitting the Job Seeker RegistrationCopy citation · §1.5.6

Submitting a Job Seeker Registration record for a person completes their Registration.

System step — The Department’s IT Systems will show if a Direct Registration cannot be completed. This can happen if the person is:

• ineligible for Inclusive Employment Australia — in this case, the Provider should advise the person they are not eligible for Inclusive Employment Australia and that they should contact Services Australia for further help if needed, or

• already Registered with an Inclusive Employment Australia Provider or an Other Employment Service Provider.

Next actions

If the Provider successfully completes the Direct Registration process, the person’s status on the Provider’s Caseload will either be Pending or Eligibility Not Yet Determined. At this stage of the process, the person is considered an Inclusive Employment Australia Participant.

The Provider can Commence the person immediately, or at the next available Initial Interview opportunity, if the Participant:

• meets the requirements at Section 1.2 General eligibility criteria, including having an Inclusive Employment Australia (or the former DES program) employment service Referral in a Current and Valid ESAt, or

• meets one of the eligibility requirements at Section 1.3 Special eligibility criteria and is:

  • ESAt-exempt – includes ESL Participants, SSC Participants and Ongoing Support (Work Assist) Participants

  • an NDIS participant with a previous ESAt

  • a DSP Recipient with a previous ESAt, or

  • a PRP Participant with a Current and Valid ESAt.

Those who are successfully Directly Registered but require a Current and Valid ESAt cannot be immediately Commenced in Inclusive Employment Australia. However, once the person is Directly Registered, the Provider can refer them for an ESAt as described in Section 2.4 Employment Services Assessment to determine their eligibility.

If the ESAt confirms that the Directly Registered person is eligible to receive Inclusive Employment Australia Services, Services Australia will refer the person back to the Directly Registering Provider. The person’s status on the Provider’s caseload will change to Pending. Providers must confirm that the person is eligible to be Commenced.

If an ESAt determines that Directly Registered person is not eligible for Inclusive Employment Australia, the person will be Exited.

For more information about Commencing or Exiting a person, see the relevant Sections in Chapter 3: Commencements, Transfers, Suspensions and Exits.