Information for Jobseekers

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Who is impacted?

People who receive a social security participation payment will no longer have their payments reduced for failing to meet their mutual obligation requirements 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.

What can I do if I consider a past decision to reduce my payment was incorrect?

You can ask for the decision to be reviewed, or ask for an explanation of the decision by:

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 without a reasonable excuse, 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
  • 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.

What if I had a past decision reviewed and I do not agree?

You have a right to ask for the decision to be reviewed again.

If the decision has not already been reviewed by an Authorised Review Officer, contact Services Australia and ask for internal review of the decision by an Authorised Review Officer.

If you do not agree with the internal review decision, you can apply for an independent review by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Go to art.gov.au for more information or call them on 1800 228 333. This review is free.

It is important to ask for a review within 13 weeks of being notified about the decision. You can request a review after 13 weeks, however, if the decision can be changed it may only take effect from the date you requested the review.

If you lodge an application, the ART will notify Services Australia. They will send all the relevant documents to you, the ART and other persons affected by the decision.

You can also seek assistance from 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