When the sanction is imposed

Sanctions can only be imposed 5 working days after the client has been sent a letter about their obligations failure. This is called the 5 working day notice period.

Note that if a client recomplies within the initial 5 working day notice period their benefit is not sanctioned but the obligations failure is counted.

Also note if a client has more than 1 obligation failure initiated on the same day, only 1 sanction can be imposed on the client. For the sanction to be lifted, the client must dispute or recomply with all the obligation failures.

The 5 working day notice period is counted from the date after the obligations failure letter has been sent to the client, to allow for posting and delivery of the letter.

The 5 working day notice period excludes weekends, public holidays, or the period 25 December to 15 January each year.

The table below provides an example of how to count the notice period.