Chapter 6. Complementary and Excluded Programs

Providers are expected to maintain effective relationships and collaborate with providers who deliver Complementary Programs and services in their Employment Region(s), to ensure they can be leveraged to benefit young people in TtW. This includes, but is not limited to, private and community-based providers of other services; education and training institutions; healthcare organisations; State or Territory government service providers.

Providers are expected to identify local initiatives and support services to deliver a comprehensive range of activities that address Participants’ Vocational and Non-vocational Barriers, to support young people to work towards and achieve Employment and Education Outcomes.

This Chapter outlines what needs to be considered when deciding on whether a program is Complementary or Excluded.

(Deed Reference(s): Clause 109.4)

A Complementary Program is a program or service Participants can undertake concurrently with TtW, that is designed to assist young people address Vocational and Non-vocational Barriers.

Participation in Complementary Programs will contribute towards the 25 hours a week participation requirement for TtW Participants.

Complementary Programs should provide additional specialised assistance that is different from the core assistance and Service TtW Providers are funded to deliver. However, Providers may additionally choose to access specialised assistance, that has elements of the core service for TtW, on a fee-for-service basis.

Example: Employability Skills Training (EST) is made up of two training Blocks.

• EST Block 1 covers employability and advanced job search skills which TtW Providers are already funded to provide to Participants on their Caseload. Accordingly, a TtW Provider will be charged a fee (the full EST Block 1 training fee) if they decide to outsource this training for their Participants.

• EST Block 2 training goes beyond the core service offering expected of TtW Providers and focuses exclusively on delivering industry specific training. This training will address local labour market needs and offers direct links to work trials. EST Block 2 includes the delivery of relevant micro-credentials through Registered Training Organisations. As this goes beyond the scope of services TtW providers are funded to deliver, a TtW Provider will only be charged a small fee for Participants undertaking EST Block 2.

Services that can be delivered in a complementary way alongside participation in TtW can include, but are not limited to, programs and services that support Participants to:

• improve or learn new vocational skills, for example literacy and numeracy, training, and education opportunities

• access local industry, employment or training opportunities, for example Local Jobs Program or Workforce Specialist projects

• address a wide range of Non-vocational Barriers including mental health, drug and alcohol support services, domestic violence service, housing services, justice services, and other family related services.

Providers must not demand or receive any payment, either directly or indirectly, from any Participant for, or in connection with, the Complementary Program. If required, Providers should use part of the Upfront Payments to provide or purchase Complementary Programs and service assistance.

Examples of programs funded by the Department or the Australian Government more broadly that have been determined to be complementary to TtW are listed below:

• Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN)

• Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

• Employability Skills Training (Note: Employability Skills Training is a fee-for-service Complementary Program for TtW Participants)

• Launch into Work

• Local Jobs Program

• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)

• Workforce Specialists.

Further information on these programs and Activities can be found in the relevant Activity Chapters in this Handbook.

Excluded Services or programs that cannot be delivered concurrently (with the Participant continuing in TtW) are programs and services where the Participant will receive the same or similar support TtW Providers are funded to deliver. For example, providing intensive case management and support to improve work-readiness, and employment preparation assistance such as coaching in interview techniques and workplace presentation, tailored career advice, preparing a resume and developing job applications.

Excluded Services or programs include:

• other employment services funded by the Australian Government, including but not limited to: 

• Workforce Australia Services

• Inclusive Employment Australia

• Remote Australia Employment Service

• Self-Employment Assistance (S-EA)

• Headspace Individual Placement and Support (IPS) program

• State and Territory Government activities or programs funded specifically to support young people to be ready for employment or to reconnect with education/training, for example the Reconnect program (Victoria), and the NSW Get Back in the Game program.

Providers must avoid duplicating services and outcomes already paid for by either Commonwealth or State/Territory government services unless the Department has made an exception.

Before using another program or service, Providers must determine if it is considered complementary or excluded. If they are unable to, Providers can contact their Provider Lead for a determination on whether a particular government service, program or initiative is complementary or excluded to Transition to Work.

If a Participant commences in an Excluded Service or Program, the Provider must Exit the Participant in line with the Period of Service, Suspensions, Transfers and Exits Chapter.

Note: TtW Providers must not directly refer Participants to a Self-Employment Assistance Provider. Participants must first be referred to a Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider who will facilitate a referral to S-EA.