Students and recent graduates

To qualify for Relocate for Work Support the client must be at risk of long-term benefit receipt.

Generally, students and recent graduates are not considered at risk of long-term benefit receipt because they are working towards or have recently completed a qualification that will help them get and stay in work.

However, some students and recent graduates are considered at risk of long-term benefit receipt because of their individual circumstances.

To decide whether a student or recent graduate is at risk of long-term benefit receipt, MSD must consider:

• how long ago they finished study and
• what subject they studied and the availability of jobs in that field and
• where they are moving to and if they have connections there, for example if they:
  • are returning to their hometown or
  • will be living with family and
• the usual factors when deciding whether someone is at risk of long-term benefit receipt, for example specific barriers to employment

Note both full-time and part-time students may be able to get Relocate for Work Support if they are at risk of long-term benefit receipt. However, part-time study may affect a client's ability to meet the job offer criteria.

Recent graduates are clients who have completed study in the last 3 months. The 3-month period starts from the date the client completed study. This will generally be the:

• day they complete their last exam or
• last day of required attendance if they have no exams to sit

Note the day a student graduates is not considered the date they completed study.

Example 1

Ben is 21. He lives in Dunedin and completes a business management degree in November. He also completed a business marketing internship while studying but has since been unable to get a job locally. He started getting Jobseeker Support in December last year.

In February he is offered a job in New Plymouth and applies for Relocate for Work Support.

Ben does not qualify for Relocate for Work Support because his education, age, level of skill and work experience means he is not at risk of long-term benefit receipt.

Example 2

Tui is 19 and has been getting Young Parent Payment since she was 16. She is a sole parent and is undertaking a 1-year certificate in Cookery at Whitireia in Petone, where she lives.

Tui's study is coming to an end, and she has been unable to get a cooking job locally or a job that works around her childcare commitments. She has extended her search and has been offered a job in Napier that meet her needs, right after she completes her studies.

Even though Tui is a current student and will be a recent graduate when she starts her job, MSD considers her to be at risk of long-term benefit receipt. This is due to her age, childcare responsibilities, lack of work experience, amount of time spent on a main benefit, and how old she was when she started getting a main benefit.

She may qualify for Relocate for Work Support if she meets all other qualifications.

Example 3

Jennifer studied in Hamilton. When she finished her tourism degree in January, she moved home to support her family.

Her hometown has a high unemployment rate and Jennifer has been unable to find a job relating to her degree, despite applying for many jobs (including jobs not in the tourism industry) within a viable commuting distance. Jennifer starts getting Jobseeker Support.

In March, Jennifer starts applying for jobs in other areas as she wants to help support her family and has been unable to get a job locally.

Jennifer is offered a job in Wellington as a travel agent. She applies for Relocate for Work Support in April to help with the costs of moving.

Even though Jennifer is a recent graduate. MSD considers her be at risk of long-term benefit receipt because of the high unemployment rate and limited job opportunities in her area.

She may qualify for Relocate for Work Support if she meets all the other qualifications.