Hours range for suitable employment
Clients and partners with work obligations must make themselves available for suitable employment of at least:
- 30 hours per week for clients with full-time work obligations
- 15 hours per week, for clients that qualify for Jobseeker Support Student Hardship on the grounds of a health condition, injury, or disability
- 20 hours per week for partners with part-time work obligations
Although the target to meet work obligations is 15, 20 or 30 hours per week, a job can be considered suitable if the hours of work per week are within the range of hours required to meet their work obligations.
Suitable hours range
Clients are expected to apply for, and accept any offers of, suitable employment.
If a client is offered a job that is within the suitable hours range, but less than their obligations, then they are still expected to be available for other work, training, or other activities until they are meeting their obligations.
Exception
If a position with more hours, but a lower hourly rate, becomes available then this job would only be suitable if the client was financially better off overall. A suitable job would be one with more hours that paid the same or more.
Example
If the client has | then the client is obligated to work | and the suitable hours of range is | Example |
Full-time work obligations | 30 hours per week | 20-40 hours per week | James is a partner with full-time work obligations. A vacancy arises for a forecourt attendant at the petrol station for 25 hours per week. The details of the job suit James' circumstances. This job is considered "suitable employment" and James must apply and accept the job, if it is offered to him, or fail to meet his obligations. |
Part-time work obligations | 20 hours per week | 15-25 hours per week | Anna is a partner with a child and has part-time work obligations. She is an experienced hair dresser. A hairdressing vacancy arises for 18 hours per week at the local salon. The details of the job suit Anna's circumstances in all ways, including her caring responsibilities. This job is considered "suitable employment" and Anna must apply and accept the job, if it is offered to her, or fail to meet her obligations. |
Part-time work obligations | 15 hours per week | 10-20 hours per week | Alanna has part-time work obligations because she has a health condition that limits her capacity for full-time work. A local factory has an accounts administrator position for 12 hours per week. The details of the job suits Alanna's circumstances. The job is considered "suitable employment" and Alanna must apply for, and accept the job if it is offered to her, or fail to meet her obligations. |
Clients are expected to apply for and accept any offers of suitable employment. If a client is offered a job that is within the suitable hours range, but less than their obligations, then they are still expected to be available for other work, training, or other activities until they are meeting their obligations.
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