3.2.9.95 Suitable Activity - Early School Leavers (YA)

Overview

An early school leaver (1.1.E.05), can satisfy the YA activity test through a variety of means, including undertaking a suitable activity or a combination of suitable activities. Such activities are specified in the person's EPP. They are generally approved by the early school leaver's JSA or DES provider.

Examples of activities that may be approved as terms of an EPP include, but are not limited to:

• education and/or training,
• approved voluntary work,
• Youth Connections,
• approved English as a second language courses through Adult Migrant English Program or other providers,
• approved literacy courses through TAFE/Adult Education providers under the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program,
• approved short courses,
• paid work,
• Australian Apprenticeships Access Program,
• CDEP (Work Readiness Service stream),
• vocational rehabilitation programs,
• participation in an armed services training camp,
• programs including behaviour management, financial literacy, addiction or abuse counselling, pre-vocational courses and rehabilitation courses,
• skill development such as:
  • heavy vehicle and equipment training, or
  • computer skills,
• vocational training such as:
  • first aid courses,
• participation in WFD, Green Corps or Drought Force,
• participation in National Green Jobs Corps, and
• another activity that the Secretary regards as suitable for the person and that is agreed to between the person and the Secretary.

Early school leavers are not required to undertake compulsory job search, they can however undertake voluntary job search in addition to their other activities. Job search effort will not need to be recorded, nor will it count towards meeting their activity test requirements.

Early school leavers should undertake education or training, or a combination of other suitable activities (including paid work). Early school leavers are still required to accept paid work where the employment would not interfere with their study or training.

Example: If an early school leaver is offered casual retail work for 6 weeks and it does not interfere with their study, they are obligated to accept the work - failure to do so can invoke compliance measures.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.8.10 Activity Testing & Mutual Obligation for NSA/YA Job Seekers Overview

Exemptions

It is preferable and generally possible to reduce an early school leaver's requirements, rather than exempt the early school leaver from the activity test. The activity test is flexible so that when circumstances arise that impede an early school leaver's ability to meet their usual requirements the activity test can be adjusted to reflect those circumstances (3.2.11).

Transition

Early school leavers already in receipt of YA (job seeker) prior to 1 July 2009 had their EPP activities amended to have an education focus during a transition period which began 1 January 2010 and ended 30 June 2010.

Act reference: SSAct section 544B YA Employment Pathway Plans-terms, section 544DA Youth Allowance Employment Pathway Plans-early school leavers

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.2.3 YA - Qualification & Payability, 3.2.8 Activity Testing & Mutual Obligation for NSA/YA Job Seekers, 3.2.9 Activity Testing for NSA/YA Job Seekers - Suitable Activities, 3.2.11 Activity Test for NSA/YA Job Seekers - Exemptions

_______________________________________________________

Last reviewed: 20 September 2011