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Who is impacted?
People who are on a social security participation payment will no longer have their payment cancelled due to not meeting a reconnection requirement within 4 weeks while this pause is in effect.
Social security participation payments are:
- Jobseeker payment
- Youth Allowance for student and apprentices (other)
- Parenting Payment (single) once your youngest child turns 6
- Special Benefit (nominated visa holders).
This impacts people enrolled in Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services, and the previous jobactive and ParentsNext programs.
If you are in the Community Development Program you are not impacted.
Will these decisions be reviewed?
The Secretary is currently considering appropriate next steps regarding past decisions.
Do I need to do anything?
No. You do not need to do anything at this point.
Continue to meet your mutual obligation requirements if you have them. Speak with your employment services provider or the Digital Services Contact Centre to make sure your requirements are appropriate for your circumstances.
Do I still need to meet my mutual obligations?
Yes, you still need to meet those activities which are in your Job Plan.
Talk to your employment services provider about what those activities are.
If you don’t meet your mutual obligations, your social security participation payment may still be suspended.
If your social security participation payment is suspended, reach out to one of the following contacts to discuss having your suspension lifted:
- Your employment services provider if you have one, or
- The Digital Services Contact Centre on 1800 314 677
Who do I contact if I have a question?
If you have questions or are concerned, please call the department’s National Customer Service Line for more information on 1800 805 260.
Who do I contact if I want to make a complaint
Please call the department’s National Customer Service Line to make a complaint on 1800 805 260.
Other contacts and information
You can also contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman at ombudsman.gov.au using the online complaints form.
If you are unable to complete the online form, you can call them on 1300 362 072.
Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) gives every person the right of access to documents held by Australian Government agencies, unless the documents are exempt from disclosure.
For more information, go to Freedom of Information (FOI) - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations