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.

3.6.6.54 Assessment of 32 hours every 4 weeks rule for standard rate MOB

32 hours every 4 weeks rule - work & training

The activity or combination of activities that the recipient is engaged in must be performed for an average of 32 hours every 4 weeks. 32 hours every 4 weeks means 32 hours over a 4 week period on a continuing basis. The recipient must be performing one of, or a combination of one or more of the following activities to make up the average of at least 32 hours every 4 weeks:

  • paid work
  • voluntary work, and/or
  • vocational training.

Example: A recipient does paid work for 10 hours a week every second week. The recipient averages 5 hours a week and does not meet the 32 hours every 4 weeks criteria to qualify for MOB.

Example: A recipient does paid work for 5 hours every week. The recipient also does voluntary work for 10 hours a week every second week. This recipient averages 10 hours a week and meets the 32 hours every 4 weeks criteria to qualify for MOB.

Exception: Participation in the following activities is not subject to the 32 hours every 4 weeks rule:

  • receipt of JSP, YA or Austudy
  • job search activities approved under an EPP with a DEWR funded service provider, AND
  • participation in DES - DMS.

Time taken to travel to and from work or training courses is NOT included in the calculation of the 32 hours every 4 weeks.

32 hours every 4 weeks rule - private study for vocational training

In general, private study time should not be counted as part of the training hours. The amount of time spent undertaking private study is a matter entirely up to the individual and is not a mandatory requirement for the completion of a course of training. It would be expected that generally the 32 hours every 4 weeks requirement should not be difficult to satisfy in terms of attendance at an institution, particularly for high school students.

Some recipients undertaking tertiary study, for example, Masters degree or PhD, have minimal compulsory contact hours but spend a considerable amount of time conducting research or library study to satisfy their course requirements. Time spent undertaking research, field or laboratory work etc may be counted as part of the 32 hours every 4 weeks.

Recipients who attend training for less than 32 contact hours every 4 weeks because of their disability may have arrangements with the institution to complete necessary course requirements in their own time e.g. listening to lecture tapes and transcribing course material. Time spent undertaking this type of activity can be considered as a necessary part of the workload required to complete the training and be counted toward the 32 hours every 4 weeks requirement.

Act reference: SSAct section 1035(1) A person is qualified for a MOB …

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.6.6.50 Assessment of vocational training for standard rate MOB, 3.6.6.52 Assessment of independent living skills/life skills training for standard rate MOB, 3.6.6.53 Assessment of voluntary work for standard rate MOB, 3.6.6.55 Assessment of continuing basis for standard rate MOB

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