3.5.2.40 CCS - other recognised participation types

Summary

If an individual (1.1.I.90) undertakes a recognised participation type that is not one of the prescribed recognised participation types for CCS, the delegate can determine that the participation be recognised for the purposes of the CCS, if it maintains or improves the individual's work skills or employment prospects (or both).

This topic includes:

• consideration of other recognised participation types
• evidence
• change of circumstances
• examples.

Consideration of other recognised participation types

A Centrelink delegate may determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether another participation type that is not one of the recognised participation types may also be recognised for the purposes of CCS.

When making a claim (1.1.C.27) for CCS, or when updating circumstances, the individual can provide details of the participation they undertake and request it be recognised for the purposes of CCS. The individual must provide a statement of how the participation will maintain or improve work skills or employment prospects (or both), and the number of hours they will be engaging in the participation type per fortnight.

The delegate will consider the information provided by the individual, including whether the participation could reasonably be expected to maintain or improve the individual's work skills, employment prospects (or both). If the delegate believes the participation likely meets the requirements to be recognised, the delegate will also:

• contact the individual and request documentary evidence (see evidence below) to confirm the participation type should be recognised
• determine whether to limit the number of hours per fortnight the participation type will be recognised
• determine whether to limit the number of fortnights the participation will be recognised, based on the nature and circumstances of the participation.

Evidence

While the individual will not be asked to provide evidence of their participation at the time of submitting a claim for CCS or when updating their circumstances, if the delegate believes the participation likely meets the requirements to be recognised, they will contact the individual and request that this documentary evidence be provided. This can include documentation from a third party that shows the individual's participation. Acceptable evidence may include:

• documents relating to the organisers of the participation including official letterheads of organisations
• rosters/schedules
• other documentation that demonstrates a link between the participation and the individual
• a statutory declaration may also be accepted if no other form of documentation can be provided or if a third party is not involved.

Change of circumstances

If an individual's circumstances change, for example, they are no longer engaging in the recognised participation, they are obliged to notify Centrelink of the change. Once the individual has updated their circumstances, their subsidised hours result may change and their CCS entitlement (1.1.E.30) will be adjusted accordingly (previous entitlement decisions will be reviewed if the individual does not notify of the change in participation in a timely way).

Examples

Participation types that would NOT be recognised for the CCS (in addition to the prescribed recognised participation) include but are not limited to those that are:

• for an unlawful purpose
  • Any participation that is for an unlawful purpose or for an employer, business or another person or organisation that has an unlawful purpose.
• personal or family responsibilities
  • Providing food for one's own, the family's or friends' benefit, including grocery shopping, vegetable gardening, fruit or vegetable picking or food preparation.
  • Providing a residential dwelling for the family including house/flat hunting, or maintenance of an individual's property (including shared areas as part of a body corporate).
  • Unpaid work building/renovating a residential dwelling, including for the individual, the individual's family or for a friend or relative (this is distinguished from doing unpaid work in a family business owned by an immediate family member, which is recognised).
  • Providing recreational activities for an individual's children (including providing travel to/from the activity).
  • Unpaid participation relating to exercising, training or caring for family or friend's pets, including vet or grooming visits etc. (participation related to the care and exercise of animals may still be accepted through one of the other recognised participation types. For example, volunteering at an animal shelter that is a recognised charity may be considered unpaid voluntary work. If the individual has the intention of being a veterinarian or vet assistant, providing assistance with animals at a veterinary clinic could be considered unpaid work experience. Where the individual is engaged in unpaid work at a pet shop owned by their parents this could be recognised as unpaid work in a family business owned by an immediate family member. If the individual was self-employed in an industry related to the health and care of animals they should report their participation as hours of paid work).
  • Planning or attending occasions for family and friends including weddings, anniversaries etc.
  • Helping a friend or family member or neighbour (this is distinguished from unpaid work in a family business where the individual is considered to benefit from the success of the family business while not being directly renumerated, or unpaid voluntary work that improves the individual's work skills and employment prospects (or both), for charities and community organisations or in schools, preschools and centre based day care services).
• sport and recreation
  • Unpaid participation in sporting events for an individual's leisure, interest or personal wellbeing - as either player or spectator - including for a work team.
• personal pursuits.
  • Participation in hobbies, including related educational courses that may be undertaken.
  • Participating in social clubs.
  • Unpaid participation in the performing arts for interest or leisure.
  • Attendance at official events such as ANZAC Day, Australia Day etc. (unless as a volunteer at these events in which case the participation may be unpaid voluntary work).
  • Attending religious services, events or activities.