Criteria for Community Work Experience
Partners must meet certain criteria to have Community Work Experience imposed.
A partner can only be placed in Community Work Experience if:
- they have no other current obligation failures (i.e. this is their first obligation failure), and
- they have current work obligations, and
- they meet with MSD within the 5-working day notice period, and
- the obligation failure is not disputed and overturned, and
- Community Work Experience is the most appropriate sanction to impose based on their circumstances, and
- they are in active case management or have dependent children.
Partner failed a drug test obligation
Community Work Experience cannot be imposed if a partner fails a drug test obligation.
Partners who have failed a drug test obligation may be considered for Money Management if they meet the criteria and it is appropriate for their circumstances.
Partner does not have work obligations
Community Work Experience cannot be imposed on a partner who only has work-preparation or social obligations.
These partners may be considered for Money Management as an alternative to a financial sanction if they meet the criteria and it is appropriate for their circumstances.
Partner fails more than one obligation at the same time
A partner may fail more than one obligation on the same day and have multiple failures they need to recomply with.
Community Work Experience cannot be imposed if a partner has failed multiple obligations at the same time.
Partners may be considered for Money Management if they meet the criteria and it is appropriate for their circumstances.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Sanctions for failure to comply with certain obligations under this Act section 232 Social Security Act 2018
- Sanction for first failure: community work experience: general section 236B Social Security Act 2018
- MSD must give notice of non-financial sanction section 252A Social Security Act 2018
