Chapter 28. Other Activities

Supporting Documents for this Chapter:

• List of Approved Non-Government Programs sign-in required (sign-in required)

• Non-Government Programs – Approval Application Formsign-in required (sign-in required)

• Non-Government Programs – Submission and Assessment Guide sign-in required (sign-in required)

28.1. Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §28.1

This Chapter outlines other Activities that the Providers may wish to consider in order to assist Participants to improve their employment prospects and/or manage or overcome vocational and non-vocational barriers to employment.

All Activities detailed in this Chapter are voluntary.

This Chapter includes the following Activities that may be undertaken by Participants to meet participation requirements as outlined in the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter:

• Non-Government Programs

• non-vocational assistance and interventions, for example

  • counselling

  • drug and alcohol treatment/rehabilitation

  • medical or health related programs

  • self-help and support groups

• other government programs

• Australian Defence Force Reserves.

Note: Some of the Activities above are described as Engagements in the Deed where they must be recorded in the Electronic Calendar.

28.2. Role of ProvidersCopy citation · §28.2

The Provider must refer to and comply with the Deed and Guidelines including:

• the Activity Management Chapter, and

• Employment Fund Chapter should they seek reimbursement from the Employment Fund for participation costs

  in relation to the Activities described in this Chapter.

The Provider will need to determine if the Activity will be of benefit to the Participant, help support the Participant to progress towards employment, and is appropriate for the Participant's individual circumstances and capacity.

The Provider should also consider whether the Activities will prepare Participants to meet skills needs identified by Employers.

The Provider should be familiar with programs and services that are available in their local area, including keeping up-to-date with the available Non-Government Programs and the offerings of the relevant state, territory and local governments.

(Deed Reference(s): Clauses 89, 90, 91, 120)

28.3. EligibilityCopy citation · §28.3

Specific eligibility criteria vary between Activities. The Provider must ensure a Participant meets the relevant eligibility criteria before referring them to an Activity listed in this Chapter.

The Provider and Participant must also agree that the Activity will help address Vocational or Non-vocational Barriers and support the Participant on their pathway towards employment.

28.4. PaymentsCopy citation · §28.4

Progress Payments are available to claim when the Participant’s circumstances have been changed during participation in Workforce Australia Services such that they are more prepared to gain and maintain employment. Participation in Activities described in this Chapter may contribute towards a Progress Payment. For Progress Payments, Providers must refer to and comply with the requirements specified in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter.

28.5. Non-Government ProgramsCopy citation · §28.5

Non-Government Programs (NGPs) are work-focused programs or vocational interventions run by community and private sector organisations.

NGPs must be approved by the Department (see the Approved NGP section below) to be eligible for a Progress Payment, noting the Provider must still confirm participation in the approved NGP meets the criteria for the Progress Payment as outlined in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter.

Participants in an NGP can gain points under the PBAS. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter for more information.

The TCF will not apply for non-attendance in NGPs, however, it will apply if Participants fail to meet their Points Requirement.

• System step — The Provider must refer participants to NGPs in accordance with the Department's training resources.

Note: The Provider may be able to seek reimbursement from the Employment Fund under the Activities Costs category for NGPs. However, departmental approval of an NGP does not constitute automatic approval of any costs in relation to the Employment Fund. Providers must ensure use of the Employment Fund meets all Guideline requirements, including the Employment Fund Principles and Prohibited purchase list, as outlined in the Employment Fund Chapter.

28.5.1. EligibilityCopy citation · §28.5.1

Eligible Participants

To be eligible to participate in an NGP, a Participant must be:

• aged 18 years or over

• registered in Workforce Australia Services.

Participants are not required to be receiving an Income Support Payment.

Eligible Host Organisations

The Provider is not eligible to be a Host Organisation for the purpose of delivering an NGP. However, the Provider is able to collaborate with local organisations with established or proposed employment pathways, and encourage them to apply to be recognised as a NGP. To be eligible as a Host Organisation of an NGP, the organisation must:

• not be prohibited due to its conduct as outlined in the Eligible Host Organisations section of the Activity Management Chapter

• have developed a program that comprises more than just the delivery of a training course – those that are only training should instead be assessed and, where appropriate, arranged by Providers in accordance with the Education and Training Chapter.

28.5.2. Approved NGPCopy citation · §28.5.2

The Department will approve NGPs following assessment against the criteria outlined in the NGP application form on the Department's website. Factors that will be considered include the need for a work or vocational focus and ensuring the NGP does not duplicate Workforce Australia Services.

Approved NGPs will not be hosted by the Provider, Related Entities or Subcontractors.

28.5.3. NGPs are Specified ActivitiesCopy citation · §28.5.3

• Work health and safety — NGPs are Specified Activities. The Provider must comply with the requirements in the Deed and Guidelines regarding Specified Activities. This includes requirements relating to:

• work health and safety

• Activity Risk Assessments and Participant Risk Assessments, and

• Supervision

described in the Activity Management Chapter.

28.6. Non-vocational assistance and interventionsCopy citation · §28.6

Participants can undertake activities to help address Non-vocational Barriers to employment at any time the Provider thinks it is in the best interest of the Participant.

Non-vocational assistance and interventions may include:

• parenting courses

• financial courses

• mental health support services

• cultural services

• personal development, such as addressing self-esteem and confidence issues

• drug or alcohol treatment/rehabilitation programs

• counselling

• medical or health related services

• anger management courses

• treatment for behavioural addictions

• obtaining stable housing

• addressing barriers associated with caring responsibilities

• addressing financial instability/difficulty

• addressing transport access issues.

Arranging these interventions may include:

• the assistance of a:

  • doctor

  • counsellor

  • psychologist

  • social worker

  • allied health professional

  • rehabilitation provider

• self-help programs

• support groups

• driving lessons

• referral to appropriate government, health, community or private organisations.

Non-vocational assistance can be delivered either in-person or, where appropriate, via video or teleconference.

The Provider may be able to seek reimbursement from the Employment Fund under the Non-Vocational Support and Professional Services categories for non-vocational assistance and interventions. The Provider should refer to the Employment Fund Chapter for further information including regarding limits that can be claimed for Professional Services delivered by the Provider’s Own Organisation or Related Entities.

Participants undertaking non-vocational assistance and interventions can gain points under the PBAS. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter for more information.

The TCF will not apply for non-attendance in non-vocational assistance and interventions, however, it will apply if Participants fail to meet their Points Requirement.

As outlined in the Mutual Obligation Requirements section, Participants who are undertaking full-time residential or intensive drug and alcohol treatment or rehabilitation will not be required to have a Points Requirement for the duration of the intervention. These Participants remain on the Provider’s caseload and continue to be serviced by the Provider while undertaking these interventions.

• Documentary evidence — The Provider must retain evidence (either hard copy or soft copy) of invoices for services or a letter of acceptance into a program for non-vocational interventions).

• System step — The Provider must enter non-vocational assistance and intervention Activities in the Department’s IT Systems and refer participants to these Activities in accordance with the Department's training resources.

28.7. Australian Defence Force ReservesCopy citation · §28.7

Australian Defence Force Reserves is an Activity available to Participants who can meet the enlistment and ongoing standards required by the Australian Defence Force Reserves.

The Australian Defence Force Reserves offers a Participant the opportunity to provide a service to the community and train and develop self-discipline, focus and leadership. Reservists develop skills and experience through formal Defence courses, ongoing training, and on the job, as they put their skills into practice.

Participants in the Australian Defence Force Reserves can gain points under the PBAS. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter for more information.

The TCF will not apply for non-attendance in Australian Defence Force Reserves, however, it will apply if Participants fail to meet their Points Requirement.

The Provider will have the ability to update the Placement Type during the Activity Placement to reflect changes to the Participant’s participation.

• Documentary evidence — The Provider must retain evidence (either hard copy or soft copy) of signed training notice or signal notice (for Defence Force Reserves).

• System step — The Provider must refer Participants to this Activities in accordance with the Department's training resources.

28.8. Other government programsCopy citation · §28.8

• Work health and safety — Providers must ensure that there is a safe system of work in place prior to referring a Participant to another government program.

  Work health and safety — Participants can undertake other government programs, including other Australian Government, state, territory or local government programs, where the Provider and Participant agree that participation would support the job seeker to progress towards employment, and that participation would be suitable and safe for the Participant.

Other government programs should not duplicate services Providers are contracted to deliver.

Participants in other government programs can gain points under the PBAS. Refer to the Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter for more information.

The TCF will not apply for non-attendance in other government programs, however, it will apply if Participants fail to meet their Points Requirement.

Other government programs available to Participants vary between jurisdictions. Providers can contact their relevant state, territory or local government for up-to-date information on their range of programs available.

• System step — The Provider must enter other government program Activities in the Department’s IT Systems. and refer participants to these Activities in accordance with the Department's training resources.