Work preparation obligations - partners

A person with work preparation obligations must take all reasonable steps to prepare for employment. When considering what is reasonable you must consider what is practical for their individual circumstances.

In addition, partners with a youngest dependent child aged under 3 years must:

• when required to undertake planning for employment
• when required to report to Work and Income on progress in meeting their work preparation obligations as often as required
• when required to attend and participate in any interview with Work and Income or on behalf of Work and Income and
• when required by Work and Income undertake any activity to improve their work readiness and employment prospects, including:
  • any work assessment
  • any programme or seminar
  • any work experience or work exploration activity
  • any employment related training
  • rehabilitation (but not medical treatment)
  • an education programme

Work preparation obligations can be applied on any day of the week provided it is suitable for the partner's circumstances.

If a partner does not meet their work preparation obligations, without a good and sufficient reason, you should initiate an obligations failure.

For more information see:

• Informing partners of their obligations
• Setting appropriate activities for partners
• Reporting progress
• Rehabilitation - partners
• Exemptions - partners
• Table of Exemptions
• Obligations failures - partners