By Jamie Salter
Job seekers will have to meet mutual obligation requirements as part of a Points Based Activation System (PBAS) from the start of July.
Workforce Australia is the new government employment service to replace jobactive from Monday 4 July.
Under the new service, a job seeker will need to earn a set number of points to meet their mutual obligation requirements each month.
Participants will need to meet a target of 100 points a month by completing various tasks, however, some points targets will be tailored to the individual to recognise personal circumstances.
Five points are gained from completing a job application, with a minimum requirement of five job searches per month.
This means a job seeker would need to apply for 20 jobs a month unless they partake in other activities such as job interviews (20 points), commencing a job (20 points), doing paid work (5 points for five hours), or study and training (15 to 20 points).
Work for the Doll will earn 20 points per week (full-time) and 15 points per week (part-time).
Each task and activity has a points value based on the level of engagement and commitment required to complete the task or activity and the strength of the link to employment.
The PBAS has been trialled since December 2020 and is delivered by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.
Job-ready job seekers will be placed in an online employment service and those who need more tailored support will be referred to a Workforce Australia Employment Service Provider.
A Targeted Compliance Framework will remain in place in Workforce Australia to help job seekers meet their requirements.
“It is designed to target financial penalties toward job seekers who persistently do not comply with their mutual obligations without a valid reason,” the Department of Employment said.
Payments may be impacted for those who don’t achieve the required number of points, however, compliance action will be paused during a participant’s first month in Workforce Australia.
“The department will monitor the implementation of PBAS and can consider adjusting points values if required,” they said.
