Specific eligibility engagement

Specific eligibility engagements are engagements that clients have with MSD in the 13 weeks before their expiry date that satisfy the eligibility part of the reapplication. This is because they capture information that can be used to confirm that the client still qualifies for Jobseeker Support.

Specific eligibility engagements include (but are not limited to):

• applying for and being granted certain assistance such as:
  • Temporary Additional Support
  • Accommodation Supplement
  • Childcare Subsidy or OSCAR subsidy (except when the client is getting Jobseeker Support on the grounds of hardship)
  • some types of hardship assistance, such as a Special Needs Grant
• applying for social housing and being added to the Social Housing register,
• participating in active case management and has an assigned case manager
• assigned work obligations because they no longer have a health condition, injury or disability that limits their capacity to work full-time
• any interaction with MSD in which qualifications for Jobseeker Support are reviewed and continued eligibility is confirmed

For more information see:

• Granting on ground of hardship
• Specific Engagements [no link find out why] Doogle

Specific eligibility engagements may be completed by the client or their partner (if any included in their Jobseeker Support) for the 26 week reapplication. This means that if a client or their partner completes a specific eligibility engagement in the 13 weeks before their expiry date, both the client and their partner are considered to have satisfied the eligibility part of the reapplication.

If a specific eligibility engagement has not been completed by the client or the partner in the 13 weeks before their expiry date, they must both complete the eligibility part of the reapplication.

If a client or their partner has completed a specific eligibility engagement in the 13 weeks before their expiry date, they will only need to complete the remaining parts of the reapplication when they reapply:

• confirm if there have been any changes in their circumstances since they completed a specific eligibility engagement, and
• participate in and complete an employment engagement (where appropriate) and
• agree to their obligations and confirm their intent to reapply for Jobseeker Support.

Example

Asha's Jobseeker Support commenced on 15 August 2025, with her partner Shea included in her benefit. Her expiry date is 13 February 2026. She and her partner have full-time work obligations.

In January 2026, Asha applies for Social Housing. As part of the assessment of eligibility, MSD checks Asha's and her partner's combined income and assets, and Asha confirms information about their relationship. Asha and Shea are added to the social housing register on 15 January 2026.

From the information provided for the Social Housing application, MSD can confirm that Asha continues to meet the qualifications for Jobseeker Support. Because Asha had this specific eligibility engagement in the 13 weeks before her expiry date and covered information about both herself and her partner, the engagement satisfies the eligibility part of the reapplication.

If Asha still needs Jobseeker Support in February 2026 she and her partner only need to confirm if there have been any changes in their circumstances since they completed a specific eligibility engagement, complete the employment part of the reapplication, agree to their obligations and confirm their intent to reapply for Jobseeker Support.

If a client or their partner have not completed a specific eligibility engagement in the 13 weeks before their expiry date, they must complete the eligibility part of the reapplication when they reapply.

Example

Jai's Jobseeker Support commenced on 28 October 2026. His expiry date is 28 April 2027.

On 1 March 2027 Jai applies for Disability Allowance. Jai provides MSD with his Disability Allowance application form, his Disability Allowance medical certificate and verification of his costs. MSD grants his Disability Allowance without needing to get in touch with Jai, and his Disability Allowance commences on 12 March 2027.

Because Jai is getting Jobseeker Support, his Disability Allowance is not income tested. This means MSD cannot confirm that Jai meets all the qualifications for Jobseeker Support based on his Disability Allowance being granted. This is not a specific eligibility engagement for the purposes of the 26 week reapplication.

If Jai still needs Jobseeker Support in April 2027 and has not completed any other specific eligibility engagements, he will need to complete all parts of the 26 week reapplication process.