Two-week search period
The Community Work Experience sanction begins the day after the 5-working day notice period ends.
A partner has 2 weeks from this date to find a suitable organisation and position. MSD can advise a partner of local groups that may be willing to provide an opportunity, however this is intended as a starting point only.
If the groups that MSD is aware of are not available or suitable, a partner will be expected to make their own enquiries with organisations in their area.
Verification
A partner must provide MSD verification of their position. They can do this anytime during the 2-week search period, but must provide it before the end of that period.
Once a partner provides MSD with verification of their position, MSD must confirm whether the organisation and position are suitable before the partner can start. MSD has a 5-day verification window to confirm this.
At the end of the 2 weeks, if the client has not provided verification, they will have failed to find or complete their Community Work Experience and be considered non-compliant.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Sanction for first failure: community work experience: general section 236B Social Security Act 2018
- Community work experience: prescribed search period and prescribed minimum number of hours per week for prescribed minimum number of weeks regulation 163B Social Security Regulations 2018
