FAQs: Covid-19 update for Employment Services Customers

The JobKeeper payment is part of a stimulus package offered by the Government to support businesses that are struggling to pay staff. There are eligibility criteria and all businesses will need to apply for this via the ATO before they are able to offer it to their employees.

More information is available here on the ATO website. The JobKeeper and Jobseeker payments are separate and it is not possible to receive both.

Our offices remain open. Please just call ahead before you visit to ensure we have an appointment time. Or if you find it easier, you can now access many of our services conveniently and safely

We are currently managing the number of people within our offices at any one time to ensure we comply with the advice from the Department of Health and State Governments regarding safe social distance. A member of our team will be in touch regarding any appointments. 

We are also continuing to maintain strict cleaning regimes and have sanitising products available at all times. All appointments will be conducted via a safe distance. 
 

Mutual obligation requirements were gradually reintroduced for job seekers from 9 June 2020, with customers asked to undertake at least one appointment with their employment services provider. 

If you are in a state or territory where mutual obligations are in place and you are receiving a JobSeeker payment, you will be asked to do the following:

• Participate in appointments with your provider (attendance can be by phone/online unless you opt-in to face-to-face servicing)

• Review and agree to a Job Plan

• Conduct eight job searches, monthly

• Participate in activities (participation can be online with the option to opt-in for face-to-face servicing)

• Accept suitable paid work.

Job seekers receiving a JobSeeker payment who do not fulfil their mutual obligation requirements may face a payment suspension from Services Australia (Centrelink).

Many employers still have demand for staff. Please check out current opportunities on MAX Connect or speak to your consultant. Your consultant is there to provide support and advice to you during this difficult time.

The Government has asked people who are receiving a JobSeeker payment (in states and territories where mutual obligations are in place) to undertake up to eight job searches each month. 

The full list of mutual obligation requirements is as follows: 

• Participate in appointments with your provider (attendance can be by phone/online unless you opt-in to face-to-face servicing)

• Review and agree to a Job Plan

• Conduct up to eight job searches, monthly

• Participate in activities (participation can be online with the option to opt-in for face-to-face servicing)

• Accept suitable paid work.

People receiving a JobSeeker payment who fail to fulfil their mutual obligations may face a payment suspension from Services Australia (Centrelink).

Work for the Dole activities may resume from 28 September 2020, as long as it is safe to do so and all appropriate COVID‑19 requirements are in place. 

The health and safety of Work for the Dole participants remains a critical component of Work for the Dole. Job seekers will be given choice to opt-in to a Work for the Dole activity if they choose to do so.

More information can be found on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.

Mutual obligation requirements are in place for ParentsNext participants in all states and territories.

Where it is possible and safe to do so, attending appointments and activities can resume face-to-face. ParentsNext participants can opt in, or out, of face-to-face servicing by contacting their provider.

If participants choose not to receive face-to-face servicing, we can support you in other ways, including over the phone or online.

ParentsNext participants will be required by the Government to:

• Attend your initial ParentsNext appointment and then every three months (attendance can be by phone/online unless you opt-in to face-to-face appointments)

• Negotiate and agree to a Participation Plan

• Conduct up to eight job searches, monthly

• Participate in and report on having done the activities you agreed to do.

Participants’ payments may be suspended if they do not meet these requirements without a valid reason.

For further information on the return to participation (mutual obligation) requirements, visit the ParentsNext website.

We continue to place people in work, including with large national employers who find themselves in need of employees to cope with the changes to the economy.

As restrictions are lifted, we expect more businesses to need staff. Many industries have continued to hire over the last few months, including health and aged care, supermarkets, construction and cleaning.

Whilst the future is unknown, earning money and making a contribution to essential services is important and will help Australia's ability to recover from the crisis.

You should talk to your employer about what their plans are. Some businesses will not be able to continue to operate as they had done previously. It's important that you stay connected to your employer if you can.

If you are open to other work opportunities then talk to our team. We still have work opportunities across the country.

If you have recently lost your job, you may be aware that the Government has also made changes to the jobseeker payment which may help you get through this period.

Every business is responding to COVID-19 in a different way and some businesses have been more affected than others. You should talk to your employer about what they are planning to do but please be aware that things may change. If they have closed, it's a good idea to stay connected with your employer to stay up to date as to when they may reopen.

However, it is also a good idea to look after your interests in uncertain times. If you are open to other opportunities, talk to one of our Consultants now. If you aren't yet connected to our services, contact us to register.

The economy is in a difficult place and competition for jobs will certainly increase. Think about what alternatives you would be comfortable doing in terms of work and what types of jobs you would be able to do. There are still training courses and other online activities that could help improve your options.

Speak to your Consultant about what other employment options could work for you.

The Government has not yet made any specific changes to requirements for vulnerable people. However, job search activity will need to be carried out in a practical and safe way. Depending on the job, be aware that you may not be able to start until the situation improves.

Talk to your Consultant about your concerns and make us aware of the fact you are vulnerable, if we don't already know, so that we can consider that.

There is no current change to the way wage subsidies are issued and claimed. If you experience any issues, please contact our claims team on 1800 603 503.

We are currently operating our sites to meet social distancing requirements in each state. This may mean a reduction in the number of people in an office at any one time. You can now access many of our services safely and conveniently online or over the phone. However, should you need to come in to talk to our team this is certainly still possible.

Please contact your local office to ensure they know when to expect you, that way we can make sure we are operating to a safe number of people. MAX Connect is also available online from anywhere should you want to edit your resume using Word. This can be done from within MAX Connect for free. 

If you have flu like symptoms, or have been in contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19, you should not come to the office and contact the hotline on 1800 020 080.