6. Pre-employment support

Supporting Documents for this Chapter

Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required)

• Meaningful exchange of email or text messages – Provider Fact Sheet

• Sample Relocation Assistance Agreement

• Relocation Assistance – Capital City Unemployment Rates

6.1 Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §6.1

Pre-Employment Support is delivered by Providers to help Participants gain the necessary skills and confidence to look for Employment, identify suitable employers, and facilitate job matching with relevant supports.

Pre-Employment Support comprises:

• Intensive Services for Participants who are able to regularly engage in a full range of services, supports and activities that will help them to prepare for and find work. Intensive Services have 2 phases:

  • Work Preparation phase for Participants who need to address Vocational and Non-Vocational Barriers to build their work readiness; and

  • Job Search phase for Participants who are closer to gaining Employment.

• Flexible Services for Participants engaged in work and/or Activities or who are otherwise not able to participate in the Intensive Service due to their personal or family circumstances.

Participants will be in one of the two Pre-Employment Support Services at any time.

During Pre-Employment Support Providers will deliver Activities to support Participants and may offer Wage Subsidies to help place them into suitable Employment. For more information refer to Chapter 7: Activities and Chapter 8: Wage Subsidies.

This Chapter outlines Pre-Employment Support to Participants and Employers including:

• whether Participants may be placed in the Intensive or Flexible Service

• movement between Pre-Employment Support Services

• movement between Intensive Service phases

• the types of supports that may be provided to Participants

• Contacts with Participants, including the use of interpreter services

• monitoring Participant progress and attendance

• Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job (Relocation Assistance), and

• Employer engagement and support.

Providers receive Service Fees while Participants are receiving Pre-Employment Support — refer to Section 11.3 Service Fees.

Other fees available while delivering Pre-Employment Support may include:

• Progress Fees — refer to Section 11.4 Progress Fees.

6.2 Pre-Employment SupportCopy citation · §6.2

Pre-Employment Support is an important step in assisting the Participant to develop their skills and improve their capacity to find and keep a job. Pre-Employment Support addresses a Participant’s Vocational and Non-Vocational Barriers to Employment.

A Participant who commences in Inclusive Employment Australia will generally commence in Pre-Employment Support. A Participant may return from In-Employment Support to Pre-Employment Support if they lose their Employment.

Providers must deliver Pre-Employment Support to Participants while they are preparing for and looking for work. A Provider must:

• build a positive and trusting relationship with the Participant

• develop an understanding of the Participant’s unique circumstances

• explain the range of available Inclusive Employment Australia Services and Activities the Participant may choose to undertake,

• decide, in consultation with the participant, which Pre-Employment Service and phase is right for the Participant, and

• deliver a tailored Service that meets the unique circumstances, skills, strengths and employment goals of each individual Participant.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 113.1, 113.5)

6.2.1 Intensive ServiceCopy citation · §6.2.1

The Intensive Service is designed to support Participants who are ready to fully engage in Activities. It is expected that most Participants in Pre-Employment Support will take part in the Intensive Service. It does not require each Participant to be fully ‘job-ready’.

To ensure Pre-Employment Support is better tailored to the unique circumstances and capacity of each Participant, the Intensive Service has two phases, Work Preparation and Job Search.

Placing a Participant in either phase makes it clear to both the Participant and Provider staff the:

• stage the Participant is at on their pathway to employment

• types of supports and Services the Participant can expect to receive, and

• types of supports and Services the Provider should deliver in consultation with the Participant.

Work Preparation

The Work Preparation phase is for Participants who need support to prepare for work and are not yet ready to fully engage in job search activities. In this phase, Providers will focus more on supporting Participants to undertake work preparation activities and ensure Participants receive more intensive supports to address Vocational and Non-Vocational Barriers to Employment that help build their Work Readiness.

Work preparation activities are tasks and activities focused on preparing Participants for work, improving Work Readiness and/or increasing the prospects of finding Employment. A Participant in the Work Preparation phase on a Detailed Job Plan is expected to have Code ET64 [Work Preparation] in their Job Plan to reflect their participation in work preparation activities.

Participants in the Work Preparation phase may also take part in some suitable job search activities where appropriate, to complement their more intensive focus on building Work Readiness. It is expected that the scale of any Job Search Requirement would be less than someone in the Job Search phase, reflecting these Participants are less work ready at this point.

The Work Preparation phase also provides an indicator to Provider staff that a Participant may require additional support if being matched to an Open Employment Vacancy.

Job Search

The Job Search phase is for Participants who are ready to engage more intensively to look for and find a job. In this phase, Providers focus on supporting Participants to undertake job search activities, gain work experience and paid work opportunities, and accept Job Referrals to suitable Open Employment.

Job search activities are tasks and activities that have a focus on Participants looking for work, improving their employability and/or increasing the prospect of finding and maintaining Employment. A Participant in the Job Search phase on a Detailed Job Plan is expected to include Code JS09 [Job Search] in their Job Plan to reflect their participation in job search activities.

Providers must ensure that Participants continue to be supported to build their Work Readiness by addressing any Vocational and Non-Vocational Barriers.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 117)

6.2.2 Flexible ServiceCopy citation · §6.2.2

The Flexible Service is designed to support Participants who do not currently require an Intensive Service because they are:

• partially meeting their Mutual Obligation Requirements through approved Activities, including paid Employment, Education and Training or Voluntary Work

• undertaking other supports and services, such as Vocational or Non-Vocational Activities or Interventions, to address significant barriers to Employment

• currently Suspended because they have an Exemption from their participation requirements or are Fully Meeting their Mutual Obligation Requirements, and volunteer to take part in the Flexible Service to remain connected to Services

• impacted by other personal and/or family circumstances that limit their capacity to engage intensively at that point in time, such as caring responsibilities or multiple and complex Vocational and Non-Vocational Barriers, or

• a combination of the above factors.

Providers must connect Participants with the most appropriate types of Services to help them build their capacity to engage more fully. In supporting Participants, Providers must consider Participants’ individual circumstances and needs, their employment capacity, and any Vocational or Non-Vocational Activities the Participant is or should be engaged in.

Providers must move a Participant to Intensive Service when they have built sufficient capacity to engage more fully in Services.

If a Participant in the Flexible Service wants to participate in the Intensive Service, the Provider may move the Participant if the Provider is satisfied the Participant has the capacity to participate more intensively.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 118)

6.3 Movement within Pre-Employment SupportCopy citation · §6.3

All Participants who enter Pre-Employment Support will be placed in the Work Preparation phase of the Intensive Service. This is the default phase for Commencement and movement into Pre-Employment Support. As a Provider engages with a new Participant and develops an understanding of their individual circumstances, skills, strengths, employment goals and support needs, the Provider may decide that the Participant is better suited to the Job Search phase of the Intensive Service, or the Flexible Service.

Similarly, if a Participant has a change in their circumstances, support needs, or capacity to take part in Inclusive Employment Australia, a Provider may decide that the Participant should be in a different Service or phase for a period.

A Provider must decide which Pre-Employment Support Service is most appropriate for the Participant at a point in time. Providers have discretion in deciding whether to change a Participant’s phase, the timing of any move, and possible duration in each phase.

Note: The Provider must make this decision after genuine consultation with the Participant, considering their current circumstances and support needs. The Provider must consider suitable Services and Activities available to help build the Participant’s skills and capacity to find meaningful and sustainable employment.

System step — Providers must use the Department’s IT Systems to move Participants between the Intensive and Flexible Services, or between the Work Preparation and Job Search phases of the Intensive Service.

Providers must keep relevant Documentary Evidence of changes in a Participant’s circumstances to support the placement and movement of the Participant between the Intensive and Flexible Services.

Evidence requirement — Documentary Evidence may include Records and file notes of relevant discussions with Participants.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 113.5, 117.8, 117.9, 119)

6.4 Movement between Pre-Employment Support and In-Employment SupportCopy citation · §6.4

Pre-Employment Support ends when a Participant moves to the Post Placement Support phase of In‑Employment Support.

A Participant in Post Placement Support or Ongoing Support can return to Pre-Employment Support (for example, if their Job Placement ends), and the Provider must continue delivering Pre-Employment Support.

6.5 Support to be provided to ParticipantsCopy citation · §6.5

During a Participant’s time in Pre-Employment Support, the Provider must help the Participant prepare for and find work. Providers have significant flexibility in what support is provided to each Participant acknowledging the unique needs of each Participant. Providers must deliver tailored supports that recognise and address Participants’ barriers to employment and build their skills and capacity to look for, find and keep suitable work.

Providers must also ensure that the agreed Activities and Services for each Participant are designed to build a pathway to Employment that aligns with the Participant’s interests and goals. Services must also ensure that each Participant can meet any participation requirements that they may have in order to receive Income Support Payments. Refer to Chapter 5: Participation requirements for more information about participation requirements and Chapter 7: Activities for more information on the types of Activities.

Providers must:

• maintain regular Contact with the Participant in line with the Intensive or Flexible Services — refer to Section 6.6 Participant Contact

• deliver or arrange appropriate Activities and Services to meet the Participant’s needs

• regularly engage with the Participant to discuss whether the agreed Activities and Services are meeting the Participant’s needs, including

  • the tasks and activities a Participant is undertaking to engage meaningfully, if the Participant has a Meaningful Engagement Job Plan, or

  • the Participant’s agreed tasks and activities in a Job Plan (Detailed), and

• review the Participant’s Job Plan and update as required — refer to relevant Sections in Chapter 4: Job Plans.

Participant Supports

Providers receive Service Fees to deliver Pre-Employment Support to Participants (see Section 11.3 Service Fees). Providers can use Service Fees to buy or deliver suitable items, Activities and other Services or supports. Providers do not have to use this Funding (and are not prevented from using it) for a particular purpose.

Effective delivery of supports during Pre-Employment Support can help the Participant find suitable Employment or Education. This enables Providers to then consider whether they qualify for Progress and/or Outcome Fees (refer to relevant Sections in Chapter 11: Payments to Providers).

System step — Providers must maintain regular contact with each Participant to monitor progress against their agreed Activities, to demonstrate the Participant’s progress towards the Meaningful Engagement Requirement, and to maintain accurate records of what was agreed/any agreed changes to the Participant’s Job Plan.

System step — Providers must include all Activities the Participant will attend, and Services the Participant will receive, in a Participant’s Detailed Job Plan.

System step — Regardless of the Job Plan type, Providers must schedule these contacts in the Participant’s Electronic Calendar. This will support the Participant through notifications about Activities arranged for them.

System step — Providers must take any necessary compliance actions if the Participant does meet their participation requirements.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 134.4, 135.1, 136.1)

As the Flexible Service targets Participants who have limited capacity to engage in the Intensive Service, including Participants who are already engaged in approved Activities or Non-Vocational Interventions, those in the Flexible Service are not expected to undertake any other Activities.

If a Participant in the Flexible Service requests a referral to other services or support options, to address Vocational or Non-Vocational Barriers, Providers are expected use their local connections to connect the Participant with the relevant service (for example, financial advice, childcare services, counselling, health and allied health services).

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 118)

6.6 Participant ContactCopy citation · §6.6

Providers must deliver the following Appointments:

• an Initial Interview, when a Participant starts with the Provider — refer to Section 3.2.2 Initial Interview

• a Contact Appointment following a Change of Circumstances ESAt — refer to Section 2.4 Employment Services Assessment

• a Contact Appointment if the Participant’s Employment ends — refer to Section 7.7.1 Paid Employment and relevant details in Section 9.6.1 Changing Participant circumstances

• a Contact Appointment following the completion of Education and Training — refer to Section 7.7.2 Education and Training

• a Contact Appointment following a period of Suspension — refer to Section 3.5Suspensions and Volunteer Periods

• a Contact Appointment if a Participant resumes Services within 13 weeks of an Exit — refer to relevant details in Section 3.6 Exits

• a Re-engagement Appointment, as needed for a Re-engagement Requirement following a Mutual Obligations Failure or a Work Refusal Failure — refer to relevant Sections in Chapter 12: Compliance, and

• a compellable Appointment if a Participant shows a Pattern of Disengagement and the Provider has been unable to contact the Participant — refer to Section 12.2.2 Compellable Contact Appointment.

The above Appointments should be conducted face-to-face unless it would be more beneficial (or at the request of the Participant) to be conducted by phone or videoconference.

Providers should refer to Chapter 5: Participation requirements for further information on how to capture the agreed frequency and mode of Contacts and Contact Appointments, for those with a Meaningful Engagement Job Plan or Detailed Job Plan.

Minimum Contacts

Providers must deliver Pre-Employment supports to a Participant through regular Contacts while the Participant is in Pre-Employment Support. The minimum Contacts a Provider must deliver to a Participant in Pre-Employment Support are:

• for Participants in the Intensive Service – at least 6 Contacts each 3 months, and

• for Participants in the Flexible Service – at least 2 Contacts each 3 months.

The Department can take action, including not paying or recovering paid Pre-Employment Support Service Fees, where a Provider does not deliver the required number of Contacts. The Department will not take action where it is satisfied the Provider made reasonable attempts to deliver the required Contacts, including by rescheduling Contacts and applying the Targeted Compliance Framework correctly.

Evidence requirement — Documentary Evidence of Minimum Contacts must be retained (in electronic form or hard copy).

System step — The Provider must record an attendance result in the Department’s IT Systems by close of business on the day of the Contact Appointment or Activity.

System step — Details of Contacts delivered via email or text may be recorded using comment functionality in the Participant’s Summary on the Department’s IT Systems.

A Provider may be unable to record an attendance result by close of business on the day of the Contact Appointment. This may occur because:

• the Contact occurred after normal working hours

• the employment consultant is in a remote location without access to the Department’s IT System, and/or

• there is an outage of the Department’s IT Systems.

If the Provider cannot record an attendance result on the day of a scheduled Contact Appointment, the Provider must record the result in the Department’s IT Systems within 3 Business Days.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 114)

Providers should consider the range of Engagement Methods under which they can maintain contact with Participants. These can either complement or as act an alternative to Appointment-based contacts, allowing for more interactive exchanges and relationship building between Participants and Providers. Contacts may be delivered:

• face-to-face

• as a phone conversation

• as a videoconference

• as meaningful email or text message exchanges — to complement other Contacts rather than being the only form of Contact (see Meaningful exchange of email or text messages – Provider Fact Sheetsign-in required (sign-in required) on the Provider Portal for more details)

• as a one off or regular Activity organised by the Provider, and

• as part of workshops or other group activities, information or training sessions organised by the Provider.

Contacts with Participants may also include third parties with consent from the Participant — such as a Family Member or carer(s), NDIS Local Area Coordinator, NDIS support coordinator or NDIS employment assistance provider, or an Employer.

A hybrid arrangement for Contacts and Contact Appointments may be beneficial to all Participants. The Provider must negotiate the Contact schedule and Engagement Methods with the Participant. Providers must also record the Participant’s preferred mode of contact for Notifications in the Department’s IT System.

Note: If a Provider has an unscheduled Contact with a Participant, the Provider must schedule the Contact in the Department’s IT Systems on the day the Contact occurred and record that the Contact was directly booked with the Participant. This prevents a Notification for the Contact being sent.

The Provider must find any necessary supports the Participant needs to take part in the Contact and supply them. This may include:

• reasonable adjustments associated with the Participant’s disability

• interpreter support

• the need for a nominee or support person to be present (such as a Family Member, friend, carer(s), support worker, counsellor and/or social worker), and

• adjustments because of aggressive or violent Participant Incidents — refer to Chapter 13: Participants with challenging behaviours.

Providers can discuss any issue or concerns relevant to the Participant at a Contact.

At each Contact Appointment, Providers must discuss the Participant’s personal circumstances and how these may impact their ability to meet their Mutual Obligation Requirements (including the Meaningful Engagement Requirement). Providers must update the Capability Management Tool with any newly disclosed barriers and circumstances (see Section 5.4 Capability Management Tool).

Issues covered in each Contact may include:

• Participant’s progress towards finding sustainable Open Employment

• details of assistance and support provided to Participant

• details of any relevant changes to the Participant’s circumstances

• non-attendance or non-completion of agreed tasks and activities, and

• overall level of engagement.

Evidence requirement — Documentary Evidence must be retained (in electronic form or hard copy) on the conversations during Contacts that relate to:

• progress towards meaningful engagement or a failure to meaningfully engage, or

• compliance with the requirements of the Detailed Job Plan.

For Participants who have a Meaningful Engagement Job Plan, Providers must capture any reasons given for failure to attend a Contact as a file note — either as a comment in the Appointment notes or using comment functionality in the Participant’s Summary on the Department’s IT System. Maintaining contact is a core requirement of meeting the Meaningful Engagement Requirement so these notes may need to be used as Documentary Evidence when assessing a Participant’s level of engagement (see Section 5.5.4 Determining if a Participant is meeting the Meaningful Engagement Requirement for more information).

For Participants on a Detailed Job Plan, Providers must record an attendance result. No compliance action can be taken under the Targeted Compliance Framework (TCF) unless a result of ‘Did not attend – Invalid’ or ‘Misconduct’ is recorded in the Department’s IT Systems by close of business on the day of the scheduled Contact.

Providers must refer to the guidance in Chapter 12: Compliance on the associated compliance action if a Participant (Mutual Obligation) or DSP Recipient (Compulsory Requirements) does not attend a compulsory Contact Appointment.

Providing interpreters

Providers must use an interpreter for Provider Contacts where:

• Services Australia has shown that an interpreter is needed

• the Participant has requested an interpreter, or

• the Provider assesses that an interpreter is needed.

Providers are responsible for the costs of interpreter services.

Providers can book a foreign language interpreter through the Department of Home Affairs’ Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).

NIAA have a list of Indigenous Interpreters.

Auslan interpreters must be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Providers may wish to use:

• the Participant’s preferred interpreter, if they are accredited by NAATI

• Deaf Connect – 1300 773 803

• Expression Australia – 1800 937 446

• Deaf Accessible Business Network (DABN) – 1300 462 587

• AuslanServices – 1300 287 526.

Note: Providers can use EAF funding for Auslan services only for Job Interviews. Provider Contacts cannot be funded under EAF.

Evidence requirement — Providers must keep Records, either in the Department’s IT Systems or on the Participant’s individual file, related to:

• any interpreter requirements, including language, dialect and gender preference

• details of interpreter use, including kind of interpreter service and date used

• declined Participant requests for interpreter services, including reasons for refusal

• declined Provider offers of interpreter services, including any given reasons for refusal.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 7)

6.7 Relocation AssistanceCopy citation · §6.7

Relocation Assistance To Take Up A Job (Relocation Assistance) is a tool that Providers may use to help eligible Participants move to take up ongoing work.

If a Provider chooses to help a Participant in this way, the Provider must pay any agreed relocation expenses and then claim reimbursement through the Department’s IT Systems.

The maximum Relocation Assistance amounts that can be claimed are:

• $3,000 (GST exclusive) if moving to a capital city

• $6,000 (GST exclusive) if moving to a regional area

• an extra $3,000 (GST exclusive) if moving with one or more dependents.

A dependent is a member of the Participant’s household who is:

• a spouse/partner who is also receiving an Australian Government Income Support Payment or pension

• a dependent child/children under 24 years of age who is:

  • financially dependent on the relocating Participant, or

  • a financially dependent child of the Participant’s partner, where they are a member of a couple under social security law and the partner is receiving a government payment related to the child

• a parent of Age Pension qualification age who:

  • lives in the same residence as the Participant

  • is dependent on the Participant for day-to-day care

  • is relocating to reside with the Participant.

Where the dependent of the Participant does not meet these requirements, Providers can assess if there is a genuine dependency relationship. The Provider must keep a file note outlining their reasons for the approval. Example: Where the Participant may have legal caring responsibilities for an adult child with a disability, it would be reasonable to grant up to the additional $3,000 in relocation assistance. The Provider must confirm this relationship is reasonable.

Evidence requirement — The Provider must record the circumstances and reasons why they agree a dependency exists in a file note.

The Provider must direct the participant to obtain the consent of any third parties or dependents over 15 years of age, before they provide evidence containing a dependent’s personal information to the Provider. The Participant can consent on behalf of any dependents under 15 years of age or for whom they are the legal guardian and decision maker.

System step — The Provider must upload evidence of a claimed dependent to the Department’s IT Systems, including evidence of:

• the dependent’s identity

• relevant Australian Government income support payment or pension

• the Participant’s legal care responsibilities, and

• the dependent living with the Participant.

Before collecting or uploading evidence to the IT system containing the personal or sensitive information of a third party or dependent, the Provider must be satisfied that appropriate consents have been obtained. A record of the consent must be uploaded, for example a file note if a dependent over the age of 15 provides express verbal consent via a phone call. Providers must also ensure they redact any sensitive information within evidence that is not reasonably necessary or required, such as Tax File Numbers. See Inclusive Employment Australia Guidelines: Part A, Chapter 6: Privacy, for further information.

6.7.1 EligibilityCopy citation · §6.7.1

Participants will be eligible for Relocation Assistance immediately on Commencement in Inclusive Employment Australia.

Relocation Assistance may be available where the Participant:

• is in receipt of an Income Support Payment with participation requirements immediately prior to moving to take up the offer of Employment, and

• has accepted an offer of Employment that:

  • is for at least 20 hours per week, for at least 6 months

  • meets relevant employment standards and could result in an Employment Outcome, and

  • is not self-employment or commission-based employment.

Participants can apply for help to move to an address that is:

• within Australia

• at least 90 minutes travel from the Participant’s current address, by their normal mode of transport

• within 90 minutes travel of the new job

• not within the same capital city as the Participant’s current address, and

• if moving between capital cities, to a capital city with a lower unemployment rate.

Note: Travel time can be decided using available geospatial calculators, such as Google Maps.

Note: The Department publishes regular capital city unemployment rate updates on the Provider Portal.

6.7.2 Relocation Assistance AgreementCopy citation · §6.7.2

When using Relocation Assistance, the Provider must create and sign a Relocation Assistance Agreement with the Participant within 28 days of the Participant starting in the offered job. The Relocation Assistance Agreement template and terms must not be varied by the Provider or Participant.

The signed Relocation Assistance Agreement must include that:

• the Participant accepted the job offer

• the Participant has declared any claimed dependents who will be moving with the Participant, and

• the Provider has sighted evidence of any claimed dependents (and where required their consent).

The Relocation Assistance Agreement will automatically end 3 months after it is approved. The Provider must manually end the Relocation Assistance Agreement when:

• the relocation is complete, and all Relocation Assistance payments have been made

• the relocation did not occur, or

• the Participant did not start the job.

If a Participant with a Relocation Assistance Agreement transfers to a new Provider:

• the Relinquishing and Gaining Providers must negotiate the remaining Relocation Assistance conditions to avoid duplication, and

• the Gaining Provider must sign a new Relocation Assistance Agreement with the Participant.

A sample Relocation Assistance Agreement can be found on the Provider Portal.

6.7.3 Allowable expensesCopy citation · §6.7.3

Relocation Assistance payments can help meet a Participant’s costs in preparing to move, moving, and settling in. The following table includes allowable expenses and shows where the Provider must obtain quotes for the expense.

Accommodation-related

Disturbance Costs

Employment-related

Removalist / Self-removal

Travel-related

Evidence requirement — For items where quotes are needed, the Provider must obtain and keep at least two quotes (or one quote if there is a sole Provider). Quotes must include:

• the supplier’s name and ABN

• date of quote

• itemised details of expenses in the quote including details of the service delivered

• quote amount (including GST).

Providers must ensure they understand relevant state or territory laws about bond payments.

Payments to the relevant state or territory bond board should be in the name of the Provider unless:

• the relevant law or lease agreement places liability for excess damages with the named party, or

• it is not possible to lodge the bond in the Provider’s name — in this case, the Provider must inform the Participant that when the lease ends, they must return the bond money to the Provider.

Providers must reimburse the bond refund amount to the Department at the end of the lease.

Relocation Assistance payments cannot be used to cover the following costs:

• assets — for example, whitegoods, furniture, tyres, other household items

• ongoing costs — for example, utilities, school fees, mortgage

• rent beyond the allowable 2-month period

• repairs — including vehicles

• alcohol and tobacco purchases

• Post Placement Support activities

• cost of return to current location or other costs at same location, or

• association fees.

6.7.4 Upfront paymentsCopy citation · §6.7.4

Providers can offer Participants an upfront payment of up to $2,000 (GST exclusive), to cover payments the Provider cannot make directly to the supplier. This includes prepaid debit cards for basic items such as petrol, groceries or toiletries. The Provider must ensure the Participant uses payments for agreed purposes, including keeping receipts.

If the Participant declares they are experiencing financial difficulties, the upfront payment can be over the standard $2,000 (GST exclusive) amount. Financial hardship exists if the Participant cannot start their placement without the payment.

Note: Apart from up-front payments, expenses may be incurred before the Relocation Assistance Agreement start date but must be within 28 days of the employment start date.

6.7.5 Claims for ReimbursementCopy citation · §6.7.5

Providers can claim Reimbursement of agreed Relocation Assistance expenses from the date the Relocation Assistance Agreement is signed, until 56 days after the Relocation Assistance Agreement has ended.

Prior to claiming Reimbursement, Providers must ensure they have paid the supplier and/or reimbursed the Participant in full.

Evidence requirement — To claim Reimbursement, the Provider must enter the Documentary Evidence into the Department’s IT Systems.

Evidence requirement — The Documentary Evidence may include:

• a valid tax invoice or recipient created tax invoice, distinguishing between individual items

• evidence of payment from the Provider to the Participant or supplier, this can include:

• transaction record (bank statement or record from the Provider’s financial system)

• tax invoice with receipt, or

• remittance advice, and

  • any required quotes.

The Provider must not include any personal information (including of the participant or any dependents) when making a claim for Reimbursement, unless requested by the Department to do so.

6.8 Employer Engagement and SupportCopy citation · §6.8

To support Participants in Pre-Employment Support and help to meet Employer’s workforce needs, Providers must engage with, build strong relationships with, support, and provide services to, Employers in their local area.

Providers must build strong relationships with Employers to meet Employers’ workforce needs, and broker Employment opportunities for Participants. This may include help with job design or job customisation. Providers must offer tailored support and training to build Employer capability and help Employers to provide suitable, safe and productive workplaces and work practices for employees with disability.

Providers must also help Employers to access available supports. This may include organising workplace modifications, workplace training, or on the job coaching and supports, or Wage Subsidies.

Employer Supports

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 9, 121)