Government changes to mutual obligations
Updated: November 19th 2020
Government changes to mutual obligation requirements
The Government has announced the next stage in its reintroduction of mutual obligations.
From 23 November, people in receipt of a JobSeeker payment in all states and territories (except South Australia where exemptions apply between 18 to 29 November) will be required to fulfil mutual obligation requirements.
Our priority is to protect the wellbeing of our customers and make sure you feel supported.
At a glance: changes to mutual obligations
Current Government policy is that customers receiving JobSeeker payments will be expected to do the following:
- Participate in appointments with their 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 who fail to fulfil their mutual obligations 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.
Handy appointment and job search tips
| Enquiry | Information and Link |
| Your monthly job search reporting date and number of jobs you need to apply for each month |
To check your jobsearch requirements and reporting date sign in to myGov and check your 'Job Search Effort'. You need to meet your target by the required date each month otherwise your payment may be at risk of suspension until you complete your requirement. |
| Logging on to MyGov? |
You can sign in to myGov here https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1 If you need myGov help, including forgotten password, you can go to https://my.gov.au/mygov/content/html/help.html#ForgottenPassword |
| Changing appointment time |
Please use your online MyGov account to check, arrange or reschedule your appointments with MAX. For a full list of task cards and videos on a range of topics related to jobactive and your requirements, visit: https://jobsearch.gov.au/how-to-guide |
| What to do when find work |
If you've found your own job, congratulations! Just visit this page and enter your details https://www.maxsolutions.com.au/have-you-found-work-and-are-need-support |
| Reporting income |
Employment income affects your payment from Services Australia (Centrelink). To make sure you're receiving the right amount, you need to report your own and your partner’s income (if relevant). To find out what to report, when to report and how to report, visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/topics/income-reporting/30331 |
| Best way to contact your MAX Employment Consultant |
You can contact your consultant direct via email: firstname.lastname@maxemployment.com.au |
| Apply for jobs |
MAXConnect is our online job matching and search tool with access to unique jobs across Australia. These are opportunities available to any MAX Employment service customer via our local and national employer partners. For jobs available, visit: https://www.maxsolutions.com.au/max-connect |
| Need help with your jobsearch |
MAXConnect contains a variety of articles on topics including resumes and cover letters, applications, interviews, and much more. Visit: https://www.maxsolutions.com.au/help-and-advice |
| Having trouble logging in to MAX Connect |
If this is the first time you’ve logged in to MAXConnect, you will need your username. This will be your JSID followed by @max-connect.com.au e.g. 123456789@max-connect.com.au The first time you login, please use your date of birth as your password e.g. 01Jan1900, 15Feb1987, 25Dec1991 (remember the first letter of the month is a capital). You will then be able to update your password. |
Access support safely
To keep our customers and team members safe during the pandemic, we have made more of our services available online so you can access the support you need at a time and place of your choosing.
We are conducting many appointments online or over the phone. This includes MAX customers supported by sites that may be currently closed due to COVID and want to continue their appointments.
Attendance can be by phone or online unless you opt-in to face-to-face servicing.
We have also moved many of our training courses online, so you can learn new skills and get ready for your next career from home.
More information
Got a question for us? No problem, you can now go online and use our new virtual assistant MAX to get an immediate answer to many frequently asked questions.
If you would like to find out more, you can check out our COVID FAQs. Alternatively, visit the Government’s information for job seekers site.
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