Verification of evidence at end of 4-week period
A partner must provide MSD with evidence of their job-search activities at the end of the 4-week period. This is to prove that:
- they have completed the required 3 job-search activities per week over the 4-week period and
- their job-search activities are considered reasonable steps towards finding suitable employment
MSD must determine the evidence provided is sufficient and that it matches the reported job-search activity. For example, if a partner reports that they have applied for jobs online, they must be able to provide evidence of this.
In some situations, it may not be reasonable for a partner to provide evidence for the job-search activity they completed. Partners are not expected to provide evidence that is unreasonable for them to get in their circumstances. For example, if a partner reports they have applied for jobs in person, they may not be able to provide evidence of this.
5-day verification window
There may be times when MSD is not able to process the information before the end of the 4-week sanction period.
To prevent a partner from being disadvantaged due to processing delays, there is a 5-day verification window at the end of the sanction period. This allows MSD to process information a partner has provided and ensures a partner's payment will continue.
Note this is not extra time for a partner to complete their job search activities.
No action from MSD
The partner will be considered non-compliant if, after 5 days:
- MSD has not been able to confirm if the partner has completed at least 3 suitable job-search activities per week or
- the partner has not provided sufficient evidence of their job-search activities
This may result in a debt for the partner.
For more information see:
Legislation
- Sanction for first failure: report job search: general section 236E(4)(c) Social Security Act 2018
- Sanction for first failure: report job search: failure without good and sufficient reason to meet requirements section 236F(2) Social Security Act 2018
