Period of Upskilling
Once a client has been assigned an employment-related training or course from MSD's Digital Suite courses, or MSD approves another suitable training or course, they must attend and participate in it for at least 5 hours each week over a 4-week period. They must also report to MSD each week on their participation in employment-related training and courses in that week.
4-week period
The 4-week period of Upskilling begins the day after the 5 working day notice period ends. This means Upskilling may begin on any day of the week.
The 4 weeks must be consecutive. For example, if the training or course is 4 weeks in total, but there is a 1-week break because the organisation is closed that week, the employment-related training or course would not be suitable for Upskilling.
5 hours per week
A client must attend and participate in at least 5 hours of employment-related training or courses per week over the 4-week period. A client can choose to do more hours if they wish, however any extra hours must not stop them from meeting their obligations, such as being available for and seeking employment.
Any extra hours a client does can only be counted in the week they did them. Any hours they did in previous weeks cannot be counted towards their 5 hours for the current week.
Note in situations where a client may pass or fail a course, the outcome doesn't affect their recompliance with their obligation failure. MSD will consider a client's attendance and participation in a course as meeting the requirements of this sanction.
Public holidays
MSD should consider the availability of employment-related training or courses during periods that include a large number of public holidays, for example during December and January.
MSD should be aware of the dates the employment-related training or course is set to take place and should be able to determine suitability before the client starts their course.
Note if it seems like a client would be unable to meet the weekly requirements of Upskilling due to public holidays, MSD must not impose this as the client's sanction.
Option to attend multiple training courses
A client could attend and participate in more than one suitable employment-related training or course to help them meet the required number of hours and weeks. This could be:
- finding 2 or more courses that offer enough hours per week between them or
- completing 2 or more courses back-to-back or
- a combination of both
A client can attend and participate in more than one course for Upskilling, as long as they are able to meet the requirements of the sanction.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Sanction for first failure: upskilling: general section 236H(1)(e) and (4)(a) Social Security Act 2018
- Upskilling: prescribed period and prescribed minimum number of hours per week of attendance at, and participation in, 1 or more employment-related training programmes or courses regulation 163D(2) Social Security Regulations 2018
