The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

2.8.4.30 ACCS (transition to work) - Job Plan requirements

Summary

This topic describes the eligibility requirements relating to Job Plans (1.1.J.20) for ACCS (transition to work). This topic covers:

  • Job Plans
  • ParentsNext
  • disability support pension
  • Austudy and ABSTUDY no Job Plan requirement
  • exemption from mutual obligation or participation requirements
  • activating a Job Plan
  • inactive Job Plans
  • failing to enter into a Job Plan.

Job Plans

To be eligible for ACCS (transition to work) an individual (1.1.I.90) must have an active Job Plan unless they are in receipt of Austudy or means tested ABSTUDY. A Job Plan is an employment pathway plan which may be entered into to meet the participation requirements of an income support payment (1.1.I.50) or entered into on a voluntary basis with Centrelink (refer to SSAct section 23) to meet the eligibility requirements for ACCS (transition to work). An employment pathway plan includes:

  • a PP employment pathway plan
  • a YA employment pathway plan
  • an JSP employment pathway plan
  • an SpB employment pathway plan.

ParentsNext

In the case of compulsory ParentsNext participants, a ParentsNext Participation Plan meets the Job Plan requirements for ACCS (transition to work).

Disability support pension

In the case of an individual in receipt of DSP, a Job Plan is a participation plan entered into under SSAct section 94B or entered into on a voluntary basis by the individual with an approved provider that is approved by a Commonwealth agency that provides employment services to people with a recognised disability (disability employment services) to meet the eligibility requirements for ACCS (transition to work).

Austudy & ABSTUDY no Job Plan requirement

If an individual is in receipt of Austudy or means tested ABSTUDY they will not be required to have a Job Plan in place to be eligible for ACCS (transition to work), as the participation requirements for those payments meet or exceed the activity requirements for ACCS (transition to work).

Exemption from mutual obligation or participation requirements

An individual who is exempt from the mutual obligation or participation requirements of their income support payment, because they are unable to undertake at least 8 hours of activity a fortnight, should not enter into a voluntary Job Plan in order to access ACCS (transition to work). If an individual is unable to undertake at least 8 hours of activity a fortnight, they are not eligible for ACCS (transition to work).

Policy reference: FA Guide 3.5.2.30 ACCS (transition to work) - activity test

Activating a Job Plan

If an individual already has a Job Plan in place that is active (that meets one of the above Job Plan requirements) then they will not need to change or update their plan to include their ACCS (transition to work) activity/ies if it is not required for their income support payment.

If an individual does not have a Job Plan they will need to contact Centrelink or their employment service provider (if they have one) to enter into a Job Plan, advising that they are entering into the plan for the purposes of applying for ACCS (transition to work).

If an individual is in receipt of a DSP, then they will need to enter into a voluntary Job Plan with an approved provider that is approved by a Commonwealth agency to provide employment services for people with a disability.

Applicants will have 28 days from the date they apply for ACCS (transition to work) to enter into a Job Plan with Centrelink or an employment service provider (if they have one). However, payment for ACCS can only be made once all eligibility requirements are met including having an active Job Plan. As such, if the Job Plan is not active, payments cannot be made until the Monday of the CCS fortnight (1.1.C.10) after the Job Plan is active.

If an individual's Job Plan becomes inactive while in receipt of ACCS (transition to work) they will no longer be eligible for ACCS (transition to work) from the first Monday of the next CCS fortnight, unless their Job Plan is reactivated, or they enter into another Job Plan before then. If a Job Plan is not in effect on the Monday of a CCS fortnight, ACCS (transition to work) will be cancelled, and the individual will need to re-apply for ACCS (transition to work).

If an individual fails to enter into a Job Plan within 28 days of applying for ACCS (transition to work) their application for ACCS (transition to work) will be considered to have not been made, and they will have to re-apply.

Act reference: FAAct section 85CK Eligibility for ACCS (transition to work)

CCSMinRules section 13 Additional eligibility requirements for ACCS (transition to work)

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