Chapter 5A. WorkFoundations

5A.1. Chapter OverviewCopy citation · §5A.1

WorkFoundations is a two-year grant initiative that funds social enterprises and businesses to offer tailored, paid employment placements for Participants facing complex barriers to employment. These Placements include integrated wrap-around services to support Participants in entering or re-entering the workforce.

The program targets individuals who are not yet competitive in the open labour market and require additional support to become job-ready. All WorkFoundations Placements are real jobs, paid at the relevant award or enterprise agreement rate, with legal entitlements including superannuation and leave.

Unlike employment Activities, WorkFoundations Placements are job vacancies, with durations ranging between two weeks (14 days) and up to, but not exceeding, six months (181 days). Participation is voluntary for eligible Participants.

Placements may span across financial years or be completed within a single financial year.

5A.2. Objectives of WorkFoundationsCopy citation · §5A.2

The objectives of WorkFoundations Placements are to fund paid employment vacancies that:

• Support Participants with complex barriers by addressing challenges such as long-term unemployment and limited work experience by helping individuals build work readiness.

• Provide tailored, paid employment placements by offering real-world work experience through paid roles, enabling Participants to develop practical skills and demonstrate their potential to employers.

• Deliver integrated wrap-around services by offering coordinated support, including vocational and non-vocational training, allied health services, and personal development programs, to address individual barriers to employment.

• Foster inclusive employment pathways by partnering with businesses committed to inclusive recruitment and retention practices to create sustainable employment opportunities.

5A.3. Outcomes of WorkFoundationsCopy citation · §5A.3

WorkFoundations is designed to deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes for Participants, WorkFoundations employers, and the broader community. These outcomes reflect the program’s commitment to inclusive, supportive, and sustainable paid employment pathways.

WorkFoundations Placements are expected to provide Participants with a range of personal and professional experiences, including:

• Development of foundational employability skills: WorkFoundations Participants will build essential workplace competencies such as communication, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability.

• Increased confidence, self-agency, and motivation: Through structured support and real work experience, Participants will gain a stronger sense of self-worth, independence, and belief in their ability to succeed in the workforce.

• Improved understanding of workplace culture and expectations: WorkFoundations Participants will learn about employer expectations, workplace norms, and professional conduct, as well as their rights and responsibilities.

• Clarification of career goals and pathways: Exposure to different roles and industries will help WorkFoundations Participants identify their interests, strengths, and long-term career aspirations, enabling more informed decisions about future employment or training.

• Pathways to sustainable outcomes: Upon completing a WorkFoundations Placement, individuals can transition into ongoing employment, pursue further education or training, or continue receiving tailored support from their Provider to overcome barriers and pursue their employment goals.

5A.4. Program Duration and StructureCopy citation · §5A.4

WorkFoundations Placements are voluntary, paid employment opportunities of up to six months in duration.

The Department will negotiate with WorkFoundations Employers and approve an Activity Work Plan at the beginning of an agreement or reporting period. The Activity Work Plan details how WorkFoundations Employers will deliver services to Participants and Providers under WorkFoundations Placements.

The four stages of WorkFoundations Placements

WorkFoundations follows a structured four-stage journey to ensure a consistent and supportive experience for each Participant:

Referral: Eligible Participants who are commenced in Transition to Work, Parent Pathways, or Workforce Australia Services can request to be referred into a WorkFoundations Placement vacancy by their Provider.

Placement: Once a Participant agrees to undertake a Placement, they receive a WorkFoundations Participant Handbook outlining:

• placement role and location

• key contacts and support personnel

• details of wrap-around services to be provided

• information on workplace rights and responsibilities

• income declaration and Mutual Obligation Requirements (where applicable)

Commencement: The Participant enters into a formal Employment Agreement with the WorkFoundations Employer and begins their WorkFoundations Placement. Paid work and wrap-around services commence simultaneously. For the duration of the WorkFoundations Placement, the Provider will ensure the Participant’s Mutual Obligation Requirements are manually adjusted to zero (where relevant), ensuring full focus on the Placement experience.

Completion and Transition: Approximately two to four weeks before the Placement ends, the WorkFoundations Employer and Participant meet to discuss future pathways. Providers and WorkFoundations Employers should work together to ensure a warm handover during the transition stage to ensure continuity of service. Upon Placement completion, Participants may:

• transition into ongoing employment with the WorkFoundations Employer

• be supported into employment with another organisation, or

• resume engagement with their Provider for further support, training, or job search assistance, or until ongoing employment with the WorkFoundations Employer is arranged.

5A.5. Employer Responsibilities for Ongoing EmploymentCopy citation · §5A.5

The responsibility for supporting ongoing employment will differ based on the specific type of WorkFoundations Employer providing the Placement. The Department will conduct regular reviews of employment outcomes to maintain accountability and drive continuous improvement of the program.

The responsibilities for supporting ongoing employment vary depending on the type of organisation delivering the Placement. The two distinct WorkFoundations Employer organisation types are:

5A.5.1. Business StreamCopy citation · §5A.5.1

WorkFoundations Employers in the Business Stream must show how completing a Placement leads to an offer of ongoing, sustainable employment within their organisation.

5A.5.2. Social Enterprise StreamCopy citation · §5A.5.2

Social enterprises provide Placements and connect with local employers. If they cannot offer ongoing employment directly, they must demonstrate strong links with local employers who can.

5A.6. Role of Workforce Australia Services ProvidersCopy citation · §5A.6

Providers play an important role in the Placement process, especially at commencement and completion. At the beginning, they work with WorkFoundations Employers to understand the vacancy, check who is eligible, and explain what support is available. Providers will look at their Caseload, identify suitable WorkFoundations vacancies, manage referrals and help prepare and approve the Participant Handbook. During the Placement, Providers will remain available to help both Participants and WorkFoundations Employers when needed. After the Placement, Providers will support Participants as they resume engagement with servicing or move into an ongoing job.

5A.6.1. Provider Workflow for WorkFoundations PlacementsCopy citation · §5A.6.1

Engaging with WorkFoundations Employers and identifying Participants

WorkFoundations Employers will maintain regular communication with Providers to help them stay informed about the WorkFoundations Program. This ongoing engagement helps Providers monitor their Caseloads and identify Participants who may be eligible and interested in the program.

Introducing the program and arranging interviews

Once a Participant is introduced to the WorkFoundations opportunity and agrees to proceed, Providers must arrange an interview with the WorkFoundations Employer at a mutually convenient time.

Post-Interview decisions and feedback

Following the interview, the Provider and WorkFoundations Employer discuss whether to offer a WorkFoundations Placement. If the Participant is not selected, the Provider must collect feedback to refine future support strategies. If the Placement is confirmed, the Provider must work closely with both the WorkFoundations Employer and the Participant to move forward.

Creating and referring to a Placement vacancy

If the Placement is confirmed and a WorkFoundations Placement vacancy has not yet been created, the Provider will need to initiate one in the Department’s IT Systems and refer the Participant to it. The Department’s IT Systems will then prompt the creation of the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook.

System step — See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

Completing the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook

Providers must complete the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook in collaboration with the WorkFoundations Employer. This document includes key details such as Placement information, contact details for the WorkFoundations Employer and Provider, wrap-around services, and any relevant notes.

After both parties approve the Handbook, Providers must update the Participant’s status in the Department’s IT Systems. At this stage, Providers’ active involvement pauses unless additional support is requested during the Placement.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

Concluding the Placement and re-engaging the Participant

At the end of the Placement, including if it concludes earlier than expected, Providers must follow up with the WorkFoundations Employer to gather feedback on the Participant’s experience and, if necessary, understand the reasons for early termination. Providers must then update the Participant Handbook and close the Vacancy in the Department’s IT Systems.

To complete the process, Providers must schedule a follow-up appointment with the Participant to resume servicing.

5A.6.2. Notifications and tasksCopy citation · §5A.6.2

Throughout the duration of a WorkFoundations Placement, WorkFoundations Employers, Providers, and Participants will receive notifications and tasks through Workforce Australia Online. These notifications and tasks are designed to support the review and completion of key actions required for the Placement to begin, progress, and conclude successfully.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.6.3. Participant EngagementCopy citation · §5A.6.3

Participation in WorkFoundations is voluntary. When engaging with Participants who may be interested in participating in WorkFoundations, Providers must explain the benefits of the service, including the paid work experience, wrap-around support services and Mutual Obligations Requirements (where applicable) to encourage participation. However, Providers must accept the Participant’s decision if they do not wish to participate in a WorkFoundations Placement.

5A.6.4. Wrap-around Support ServicesCopy citation · §5A.6.4

When promoting WorkFoundations Placements, WorkFoundations Employers will inform Providers about the wrap-around supports they offer and may adjust these based on future Participants' needs. Providers must use this information to match suitable Participants from their Caseload.

Acknowledging that each Participant may require targeted services dependent on their personal situation and circumstances, the range of wrap-around services could include:

• developing the Participant’s capability to engage in employment through:

  • assistance to access suitable housing and transport and meet food and clothing needs

  • addressing substance misuse or addiction issues

  • developing knowledge around health (including mental health), fitness and hygiene

  • growing their social and psychological wellbeing

  • guiding the development of goals and aspirations

  • building core skills such as language, literacy and numeracy

• assisting the Participant to understand employment-related matters, including:

  • wages, onboarding, workplace rights (educating to understand employer and employee rights), obligations and entitlements including pay conditions and superannuation

  • the reporting requirements of receiving income support whilst being in paid employment

• improving their financial literacy and ability to manage money

• engaging with the Participant during the WorkFoundations Placement through regular check-in and feedback mechanisms (e.g. to identify and facilitate additional development needs)

• collaborating with the Participant to increase their hours of employment and scope of responsibility as they gradually grow capability and capacity for work.

When the wrap-around services that will be offered are agreed to, the Provider will record them in the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook. Once the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook has been approved it is then up to the WorkFoundations Employer to implement the delivery of these wrap-around services to assist the Participant to resolve their barriers to employment and work towards improving their employability.

5A.6.5. Referrals and Eligibility RequirementsCopy citation · §5A.6.5

During the referral process, Providers will engage with potential Participants to determine eligibility, suitability and commitment to see the WorkFoundations Placement through to completion and towards ongoing employment. Once the eligibility criteria have been determined, Providers must meet with the Participant to explain the WorkFoundations Placement, including Mutual Obligations Requirements (where applicable), income reporting to Services Australia, and the expectations of the WorkFoundations Placement.

The Participant will then meet with the WorkFoundations Employer to complete an interview to determine suitability. The WorkFoundations Employer will then inform the Participant and Provider of the outcome. If the Participant was successful, the Provider must create the Vacancy in the Department’s IT Systems and refer the Participant.

Once referred to the vacancy, the Provider will be able to create the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook in the Department’s IT Systems. The Provider must populate the Participant Handbook with the required information and send it to the WorkFoundations Employer to review and approve in the Department’s IT Systems.

Once approved by the WorkFoundations Employer, the Participant receives a notification through the Department’s IT Systems that a copy of the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook is available.

Eligibility Requirements

All WorkFoundations Participants must meet the below eligibility criteria and be Commenced with a relevant Workforce Australia Services, Transition to Work or Parent Pathways Provider.

Before referring a Participant to a WorkFoundations Placement Vacancy, the Provider must be satisfied that the Participant is eligible by checking the specific requirements outlined below.

Eligible Participants

To be eligible to participate in WorkFoundations, Participants must meet the following minimum eligibility criteria:

• must be Commenced with a Workforce Australia Services, Transition to Work, or Parent Pathways Provider,

• have a minimum of one barrier to employment which they are open to addressing through support,

• have a positive attitude towards understanding their skills, abilities and aptitude for work, as well as undergo employment related testing if required,

• be able to accept an ongoing paid employment opportunity if offered.

For Participants who are Commenced in Workforce Australia Services, there is an additional eligibility requirement of being long-term unemployed. For a WorkFoundations Placement, this is defined as being registered for more than 52 weeks and have 12 months or more of being unemployed and/or no recent work experience.

Eligibility for WorkFoundations may expand to other Participants over time. The department may, under extenuating circumstances, consider approving participation for Participants who do not meet all eligibility requirements. Providers may contact the Department to request approving participation for Participants who do not meet all eligibility requirements. The Department will make a decision based on the information provided by the Provider. Any decision will be final, and no dispute process will be made available.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentsign-in required (sign-in required)s for more information.

Ineligible Participants

Participants who are ineligible to participate in WorkFoundations Placements include those who are registered with:

• Inclusive Employment Australia (delivered by the Department of Social Services),

• Workforce Australia Online Base Services

• Remote Australia Employment Service (delivered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency)

• In addition, people registered with Yarrabah Employment Services, Broome Employment Services or Norfolk Island Employment Support Program are not eligible to participate in WorkFoundations.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.6.6. Participant Referrals to a WorkFoundations Placement VacancyCopy citation · §5A.6.6

Providers must refer eligible Participants to a WorkFoundations Placement flagged Vacancy in the Department's IT Systems. WorkFoundations Employers are responsible for promoting their Placements directly to local Providers. Providers will then review their Caseload to identify suitable Participants and discuss the opportunity during scheduled appointments. Alternatively, if a Participant learns about WorkFoundations independently, they may contact their Provider to assess their eligibility.

Before referring a Participant to a WorkFoundations Placement vacancy, the Provider must ensure the opportunity is appropriate, and likely to support the Participant’s progress toward employment. The Provider must confirm that the Participant meets the general eligibility criteria, as well as any specific requirements for the Placement.

In assessing suitability, the Provider must consider the Participant’s education, experience, skills, and capacity to undertake the Placement. They must also consider the Participant’s strengths, any barriers to participation, and how those barriers may impact their ability to engage. Where possible, the Participant’s preferences and employment goals should also be considered, along with any other relevant personal circumstances.

Once a suitable WorkFoundations Placement is identified, the Provider must clearly explain the details to the Participant. This includes the expected start date and the consequences of not commencing on time, the wrap-around services that will be provided and their frequency, and how the Participant will meet their Mutual Obligations during the Placement (where applicable). The Provider must also outline the required frequency of contact, the importance of reporting income to Services Australia, and the available complaints processes.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documents for more information.

5A.6.7. Creating a WorkFoundations Placement VacancyCopy citation · §5A.6.7

Providers are responsible for creating a WorkFoundations-flagged Vacancy in the Department’s IT Systems. They must work closely with WorkFoundations Employers to ensure all vacancy details – such as the WorkFoundations Employer name, job description, position attributes, and key contact information – are accurately recorded.

Providers should note, that when WorkFoundations Vacancy flag is selected in the Department’s IT Systems, the Outcome will not be tracked using the same features as a standard employment position.

See the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter and WorkFoundations Supporting Documentsign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.7. WorkFoundations Participant HandbookCopy citation · §5A.7

The purpose of the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook is to provide eligible Participants with information about their WorkFoundations Placement and Employer. It helps Participants understand what to expect, their rights and responsibilities, and where to find further support.

The WorkFoundations Participant Handbook is the foundation of the WorkFoundations Placement.

The WorkFoundations Participant Handbook is not a legal document and does not replace:  

• the Job Plan the Participant has with their Provider  

• the Employment Agreement the Participant has with the WorkFoundations Employer.   

The WorkFoundations Participant Handbook is developed in consultation with the WorkFoundations Employer and the Participant. It contains key information such as:

• Placement Overview: Details about the practical skills and experience the Participant will gain during the Placement.

• Award wage and entitlements: Information on payment at award or enterprise agreement rates, including legal entitlements such as superannuation and leave.

• Tailored Placement: how the Placement is adapted to suit the Participant’s personal circumstances. This includes negotiating work type, schedule, and duration and providing personalised support and wrap-around services to support ongoing employment.

• Mutual Obligation Requirements: (where applicable): confirms Participant can meet Mutual Obligation Requirements through participation in a WorkFoundations Placement. This means Participants won’t: 

  • need to earn points towards Points Based Activation System (PBAS) target 

  • be able to bank any points 

  • need to meet any Job Search Requirement 

  • need to attend compulsory appointments. 

If a Provider requests that a Participant complete any of the above obligations, the Participant or WorkFoundations Employer may remind them of the WorkFoundations Placement requirements.

Once all required information has been gathered, the Provider will finalise the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook in the Department’s IT Systems. The completed Handbook is then submitted to the WorkFoundations Employer for review. If any revisions are needed, the WorkFoundations Employer will request changes from the Provider, who will update and resubmit the document in the Department’s IT Systems.

After the WorkFoundations Employer approves the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook, the Provider is notified. A final version is then shared with the Participant through the Department’s IT Systems, along with a notification that it is available in their personal account.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) and Job Plan and Mutual Obligation Requirements Chapter for more information.

5A.8. Employment AgreementCopy citation · §5A.8

Before a Participant begins their WorkFoundations Placement, the Employer ensures they complete all necessary employment documentation. This includes, at a minimum:

• an Employment Agreement outlining the terms and conditions

• superannuation nomination forms

• a Tax File Number Declaration

5A.9. Mutual Obligation RequirementsCopy citation · §5A.9

All Participants who commence a WorkFoundations Placement will meet their Mutual Obligation Requirements (where applicable), including both their Points Target and Job Search Requirement for the duration of the WorkFoundations Placement. This allows Participants to focus fully on the sustainability of their Placement without the need to undertake additional activities, apply for other jobs, or attend Provider appointments.

To support this, Providers must, for the duration of the WorkFoundations Placement:

• set the Participant’s PBAS requirements to zero for the length of the Placement (noting that reinstatement can only occur at the end of a reporting period).

• set the Participant’s Job Search Requirement to zero for the length of the Placement (noting that reinstatement can only occur at the end of a reporting period).

• not schedule any Appointments with the Participant for the length of the Placement (unless specifically requested by the Participant)

Before making a referral, Providers must discuss the opportunity with the Participant and obtain their agreement. Participation in a WorkFoundations Placement is voluntary and must align with the Participant’s work capacity, goals, aspirations, and skills.

At the conclusion of the WorkFoundations Placement – or if it ends early – the Participant is no longer considered to be meeting their Mutual Obligation Requirements. If the WorkFoundations Placement ends early:

• The Provider must update the Department’s IT Systems to reflect the end of the WorkFoundations Placement.

• Reductions to requirements must be removed for future reporting periods (they cannot be removed mid-period).

• Mutual Obligations will apply at the Participant’s next Points Reporting Period.

• Providers must schedule an Appointment with the Participant to review their circumstances and ensure their Points Target and Job Search Requirements are appropriate and tailored.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) and the Targeted Compliance Framework and Mutual Obligation Failures Chapter for more information.

5A.10. Compulsory AppointmentsCopy citation · §5A.10

Providers must not schedule compulsory Provider Appointments in the Participant’s Electronic Calendar during the WorkFoundations Placement. Participants can attend Provider Appointments on a voluntary basis if they choose.

If a Provider Appointment is inadvertently booked and compliance is raised, Providers must remove any non-compliance events.

See the Targeted Compliance Framework and Mutual Obligation Failures Chapter and WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.11. Targeted Compliance FrameworkCopy citation · §5A.11

The Targeted Compliance Framework does not apply to Participants in a WorkFoundations Placement as participation in the Placement will meet Mutual Obligation Requirements for the duration of the Placement. If a Demerit is inappropriately applied for a Participant in a WorkFoundations Placement, Providers should manually remove the Demerit.

For more information, please refer to the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) and Targeted Compliance Framework and Mutual Obligation Failures Chapter.

5A.12. Funded assistance during WorkFoundations PlacementCopy citation · §5A.12

All costs associated with the WorkFoundations Placement will be covered by the WorkFoundations Employer. This includes funding all items listed within the wrap-around support services section of the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook, which could include clothing (uniforms), travel costs or allied health services, as examples. If there was an agreement for support in place prior to commencement in the WorkFoundations Placement, then this agreement should continue through to completion.

If a Participant requests additional assistance from a Provider during the WorkFoundations Placement, the Provider must review the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook to verify if the support is already funded. If not, the Provider should consult with the WorkFoundations Employer to confirm whether the cost is already being covered. Only after these steps should a decision be made to approve or deny the request in accordance with the relevant Employment Fund criteria and Department processes.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.13. Supporting Participants with Income ReportingCopy citation · §5A.13

Participants will earn income during their WorkFoundations Placement, which may impact payments from Services Australia. Providers are responsible for supporting Participants in understanding and managing this process.

5A.14. Providing support to a Participant in a WorkFoundations PlacementCopy citation · §5A.14

Once the Participant commences their WorkFoundations Placement, the responsibility for the Participant transitions to the WorkFoundations Employer. The WorkFoundations Employer must support each Participant to fully engage in the Placement.

While the Participant is undertaking a WorkFoundations Placement, Providers must:

• ensure all Mutual Obligation Requirements (where applicable) are removed during the WorkFoundations Placement period

• not schedule Compulsory Appointments and Job Referral tasks (where applicable) during the WorkFoundations Placement period

• receive feedback from the WorkFoundations Employer and Participant on progress and be available to support Participants if they reach out

• contact the Participant to return the Participant to servicing on completion of the WorkFoundations Placement if an on-going employment opportunity is not offered.

5A.15. Monitoring Participant participationCopy citation · §5A.15

The WorkFoundations Employer is responsible for actively monitoring each Participant’s attendance and engagement throughout the Placement. If a Participant fails to attend as outlined in the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook and cannot be contacted, the WorkFoundations Employer must notify the Participant’s Provider promptly.

Providers are responsible for taking appropriate action when notified of a Participant’s non-attendance or disengagement. If necessary, the WorkFoundations Employer must contact the Provider to request that the WorkFoundations Placement be ended in the Department’s IT Systems. The Provider can action this by updating the end date in the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook, which will automatically trigger a notification to both the WorkFoundations Employer and the Participant.

• System step — The Provider is required to update the Department’s IT Systems when a Participant withdraws from or completes a WorkFoundations Placement. This includes the date the Participant ended the Placement and the Exit reason.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information

5A.16. Challenging BehavioursCopy citation · §5A.16

WorkFoundations Employers must promptly notify the Participant’s Provider in writing (e.g., via email) of any incidents where a Participant displays challenging behaviour, in accordance with established processes. Providers must then complete an Incident Report for each such incident, following the appropriate reporting procedures.

See the Servicing Participants with Challenging Behaviours Chapter in the Part A: Universal Guidelinessign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.17. Ending the WorkFoundations Placement prior to Completion DateCopy citation · §5A.17

If a Participant is no longer participating in a WorkFoundations Placement, the WorkFoundations Employer must:

• contact the Provider to request that the WorkFoundations Placement be ended in the Department’s IT Systems

• provide this notification in writing (e.g. email) on the same Business Day they are informed

• include any reasons given by the Participant or the reason the WorkFoundations Employer ended the Referral

The Provider is responsible for taking appropriate action when notified of a Participant’s withdrawal, non-attendance or disengagement. The Provider can end the WorkFoundations Placement prior to the completion date by updating the end date in the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook, which will automatically trigger a notification to both the Provider and the Participant. The Provider must contact the Participant to schedule a time to discuss the WorkFoundations Placement, outline the reengagement process, and confirm Mutual Obligation Requirements (where applicable).

• System step — Where a Participant is no longer participating in the WorkFoundations Placement, the Provider must end the Participant’s Placement in the Department’s IT Systems by updating the Vacancy and WorkFoundations Participant Handbook and recording an end reason against the WorkFoundations Placement record.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.18. Preparing for Placement Completion and TransitionCopy citation · §5A.18

A key objective of WorkFoundations is to transition Participants into sustainable, ongoing employment following the completion of their WorkFoundations Placement.

Approximately two to four weeks prior to the end of a WorkFoundations Placement, the WorkFoundations Employer and Participant must meet to:

• Review progress and readiness for ongoing employment.

• Discuss potential employment opportunities within the host organisation or externally.

• Review the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook and Employment Agreement if transitioning to a new role.

• Notify the Provider of the outcome and next steps.

If ongoing employment is not secured:

• The Provider must contact the Participant to resume servicing.

Seven days prior to the scheduled WorkFoundations Placement completion date, the Provider and WorkFoundations Employer will both receive a notification confirming the Placement will conclude.

• System step — When a WorkFoundations Placement ends, the Provider or Employer must end the Placement in the Department’s IT Systems and provide an Exit reason.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentsign-in required (sign-in required)s for more information

5A.19. Provider Progress Payments during the WorkFoundations PlacementCopy citation · §5A.19

Providers may be eligible to receive Progress Payments during a WorkFoundations Placement, provided they meet the requirements outlined in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter.

When using the WorkFoundations flag to create a Vacancy, please note that Outcomes will not be tracked, and the vacancy will not be eligible for Outcome payments. However, Providers can track Outcomes for subsequent vacancies created outside of the WorkFoundations flag, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

5A.20. Transitioning from Placement completion to ongoing employmentCopy citation · §5A.20

After a Participant successfully completes a WorkFoundations Placement and is offered ongoing employment, the Provider must support their transition by creating a new vacancy in the Department's IT Systems that reflects the ongoing role.

Once the vacancy is created, the Provider must refer the Participant to it and facilitate their continued employment pathway.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.21. Post-Placement SupportCopy citation · §5A.21

Providers must deliver tailored post-Placement support after a Participant completes a WorkFoundations Placement and enters ongoing employment.

5A.22. Provider Payments for subsequent vacanciesCopy citation · §5A.22

Following the successful completion of a WorkFoundations Placement, Providers may be eligible to claim Outcome Payments for subsequent vacancies that are created without the use of the WorkFoundations flag. Eligibility for these payments is contingent upon meeting all relevant criteria as outlined in the Provider Payments and Vacancies Chapter. These subsequent vacancies must represent genuine ongoing employment opportunities and comply with all applicable program requirements to qualify for Outcome Payments.

5A.23. Aggregator ModelsCopy citation · §5A.23

For situation where the Employer is using an Aggregator Model to deliver WorkFoundations Placements, there will be a number of additional steps that the Provider will need to include in the vacancy and the Participant Handbook to ensure all involved parties are included in the Placement.

5A.23.1. Creating the VacancyCopy citation · §5A.23.1

Providers will need to create a WorkFoundations flagged Vacancy by entering key details such as the employer, job description, position attributes, and contact information. For an Aggregator Model vacancy, the Provider will need to create the vacancy with the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement) and add the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) to the additional employer section of the vacancy.

When using the WorkFoundations flag to create a Vacancy, please note that Outcomes will not be tracked, and the vacancy will not be eligible for Outcome payments. However, Providers can track Outcomes for subsequent vacancies created outside of the WorkFoundations flag, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.23.2. WorkFoundations Participant HandbookCopy citation · §5A.23.2

The Provider must liaise with the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) to create and populate the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook. The WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) will need to have spoken to the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement) to ensure they have all the required information.

It will be at the discretion for the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) if they would like the Provider to liaise with the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement) to populate the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook. This will need to be negotiated prior to creating the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook, noting that the Participant Handbook will be sent to the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) as listed as the Employer in the Participant Handbook.

During the creation of the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook, the Provider will need to enter the following for the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) and the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement):

• Placement details section: Employer and Address will be the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement)

• Supervisor details section: Name, Phone and Email will be the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement)

• Employer contact details section: Name, phone and email will be the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator)

Once the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook has been created, it will be sent to the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) to review and approve as they hold the responsibility for the grant. It will then be the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) to liaise with the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement) to ensure the information in the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook is correct before approving.

Once the WorkFoundations Participant Handbook has been approved by the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator), the WorkFoundations Employer (Aggregator) will need to send a copy of the Participant Handbook to the WorkFoundations Employer (Placement) so they have a copy and can provide a copy to the Participant on commencement of the WorkFoundations Placement.

See the WorkFoundations Supporting Documentssign-in required (sign-in required) for more information.

5A.24. WorkFoundations performanceCopy citation · §5A.24

The Department will monitor and evaluate the WorkFoundations Employers’ delivery of WorkFoundations Placements, focusing on milestones and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as outlined in the Grant Agreement and Activity Work Plan. Performance monitoring will support continuous improvement through structured feedback and evaluation processes. Providers’ engagement in the WorkFoundations Program may also contribute to overall performance outcomes within the relevant Performance Framework.

Please see the Provider Performance Framework Chapter for more information.

5A.25. Assurance activities, feedback and evaluationsCopy citation · §5A.25

The WorkFoundations Program maintains quality and integrity through regular assurance activities, including compliance checks and quality reviews.

Providers are encouraged to document success stories, share examples of good practice, and use case studies to support enhanced service delivery. Feedback is collected regularly from Participants, Providers, and WorkFoundations Employers through surveys and stakeholder consultations, helping to ensure the program remains effective and responsive to the needs of those involved.

Regular program evaluations are also conducted to assess impact, identify areas for improvement, and guide future planning.

5A.26. Managing Work Health and SafetyCopy citation · §5A.26

WorkFoundations Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for all WorkFoundations Participants by complying with all applicable WHS laws, including conducting relevant risk assessments.

If the Provider is notified by the WorkFoundations Employer, or otherwise becomes aware, of any incident involving a WorkFoundations Placement, including:

1. any accident, injury or death occurring during, or as a result of, the WorkFoundations Placement, including in relation to a WorkFoundations Participant or a member of the public;

2. any incident which relates to a work, health and safety issue; and

3. any incident that may negatively impact upon the Department or bring the Provider, the Services or the WorkFoundations program into disrepute,

the Provider must Notify the Department as soon as possible, and on the same day, of becoming aware of the incident.