Rehabilitation - partners

Rehabilitation is a process aimed at enabling people with ill health and disabled people to reach and maintain their optimal level.

It generally has a focus on restoration or improvement of the abilities of the partner.

Rehabilitation could include services such as re-training a partner unable to return to their previous occupation.

As part of the expectation that a partner will prepare towards a return to employment, partners with work preparation or work obligations may need support to undertake activities, including rehabilitation.

To improve the partner's work-readiness they may be required to undertake activities, including rehabilitation, however this must not include medical treatment.

Medical treatment may be part of the rehabilitation process but a partner cannot be required to complete medical treatment as an activity as part of their obligations.

If you are uncertain whether an activity would be considered as medical treatment, rehabilitation or other activity you should seek advice from your Regional Health or Regional Disability Advisor before you require a partner to undertake the activity.

Requiring partners to undertake rehabilitation activities must be done with care. Generally you would ensure that they are willing and able to undertake activities.

Important before you require the partner to undertake a rehabilitation activity you must discuss the situation with your manager client service delivery.

The partner must be advised that if they are required to complete a rehabilitation activity, and if they fail to do this without a good and sufficient reason a sanction may be imposed.