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.

1.1.E.104 Employment services assessment (ESAt)

Definition

ESAts are for the purpose of identifying an individual's:

  • barriers to finding and maintaining employment (this may relate to the impact of a person's disability, injury, illness, or other barrier)
  • work capacity (in hour bandwidths), and
  • interventions/assistance that may be of benefit to improve their current work capacity.

ESAts are conducted by health and allied health professionals within Services Australia (assessors). As part of the ESAt process, assessors have access to relevant available information about the job seeker, including current and previous medical/disability status, and prior participation and employment history. Assessors can also liaise with treating doctors and relevant health professionals as required.

ESAts may be used by Services Australia to inform decisions regarding payments and allowances and to determine the level of participation required for job seekers with mutual obligation requirements in accordance with the SSAct.

The ESAt process ensures that job seekers with barriers to employment are referred to the most appropriate employment service assistance, based on an assessment of the impact of identified barriers on their capacity to participate. A copy of the ESAt report is made available to the job seeker's employment services provider.

Target groups

People may be referred for an ESAt if:

  • they are in receipt of income support payments and applying for an exemption from mutual obligation requirements
  • they inform Services Australia or their employment services provider of a significant change in their circumstances that impacts their work capacity and/or employment assistance needs
  • their JSCI indicates they have barriers to employment that require further assessment
  • they are a DSP recipient, under age 35 who may have participation requirements and does not already have a current work capacity assessment. The ESAt will establish their work capacity bandwidth of 0 to 7 or 8+ hours per week and will not affect the recipient's eligibility for DSP.
  • they are eligible to volunteer into employment services
  • they register directly with an employment services provider.

Medical Evidence for ESAts

Medical evidence provided for the purposes of the ESAt must include the diagnosis by the medical practitioner and generally be based on existing and relevant clinical notes from a medical practitioner.

Medical evidence for ESAts can be prepared and collated on behalf of the job seeker by a medical practitioner, registered nurse, nurse practitioner or a registered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner.

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.M.100 Medical evidence (DSP, JSP & partial capacity to work)

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