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This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Mutual obligation compliance'.

Document 1
From:
s 47F(1)
To:
(DEPARTED); 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
Cc:
 (DORMANT);
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
Subject:
Working draft - principles and short term options for discussion at 2pm 
]
s 47E(d)
Date:
Thursday, 23 November 2023 11:25:45 AM
Attachments:
231123 Working draft_principles and short term options.pptx
s 47E(d)
s 47F(1)
Please find attached a working draft version of some slides on draft principles, short term options and possible future direction around mutual
obligations and compliance for initial discussion at 2pm.
Kind regards,
s 47F(1)
Assistant Secretary
Targeted Employment Policy Branch
Employment Policy and Analytics Division
Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Phone 
 | Mobile 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
dewr.gov.au
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging.
s 47E(d)
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Document 2
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Document 2
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Document 2
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Document 3
From:
s 47F(1)
To:
s 47F(1)
Cc:
 (DORMANT); 
; 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
s 47E(d)
Subject:
Current state versus proposed - compliance and mutual obligations [
]
s 47E(d)
Date:
Thursday, 8 February 2024 6:07:07 PM
Attachments:
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
080224 Budget NPPs current state versus proposed - compliance-mutual obligations.docx
s 47C(1)
s 47E(d)
Hi s 47F(1) ,
As requested, attached for each of the current options proposed for Budget in the mutual obligation and compliance space is a description of
the current state and the proposed future state. Included with each element is a cameo too, to give better understanding of how the
proposals will work on the ground. For the more complicated proposals relating to suspensions, we also have attached some diagrams – s 
4
7
 
C
s 47C(1)
 
(1
s 47C(1)
Happy to arrange a discussion on any of this, if helpful
Kind regards,
s 47F(1)
Assistant Secretary
Targeted Employment Policy Branch
Employment Policy and Analytics Division
Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Phone 
 | Mobile 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
dewr.gov.au
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging.
s 47E(d)
s 47E(d)
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Department of Employment and Workplace Relations - Documents released under FOI - LEX 1305
s 47C(1)
Document 4
Current State 
Monday
Tuesday 
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
•
Luke misses a
•
SMS; payment on
provider
hold
appointment
•
•
Luke makes contact
Provider contact
•
Reengagement met
to discuss
attempt unsuccessful
•
•
Payment restored
•
No valid reason;
SMS: contact
demerit is confirmed
provider, or payment
•
Reengagement set
goes on hold in 2
days
s 47C(1)
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s 47C(1)
Document 5
Current State 
Monday
Tuesday 
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
•
Luke misses a
provider
•
Luke attends
appointment
•
•
SMS: payment on
provider office in
Provider contact
hold, contact
distress
attempt unsuccessful
•
•
provider
Provider records
SMS: contact
valid reason
provider, or payment
•
Payment restored
goes on hold in 2
days
s 47C(1)
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Document 6
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Document 6
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Document 6
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Document 6
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Document 6
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Document 6
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Document 7
From:
s 47F(1)
To:
(DEPARTED)
s 47F(1)
Cc:
s 47F(1)
Subject:
Post MO feedback NPP short term compliance options for discussion [
]
s 47E(d)
Date:
Sunday, 25 February 2024 10:43:48 AM
Attachments:
250224 Post MO Feedback- for discussion short term compliance options.docx
TCF Flow Chart.pdf
s 47E(d)
s 47F(1)
Hi 
s 47C(1)
 s 47F(1)
 s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
Kind regards,
s 47F(1)
Assistant Secretary
Targeted Employment Policy Branch
Employment Policy and Analytics Division
Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Phone 
 | Mobile 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
dewr.gov.au
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging.
s 47E(d)
14 of 44
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations - Documents released under FOI - LEX 1305
s 47E(d)
 
Document 8
 
Background information on existing assessments by allied health professionals in Services 
Australia where conditions are expected to last longer than 13 weeks 
SA officers assess medical certificates in accordance with the legislation and policy guidelines. Once a 
decision to grant (or not grant) an exemption has been made, some job seekers may require an 
Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) if the medical certificate and other available information 
indicate that the job seeker: 
•  May have an ongoing partial capacity to work because of the impact of permanent 
conditions (i.e. likely to persist for 2 or more years) 
•  May have a temporary reduced work capacity of less than 30 hours per week, or  
•  Is potentially eligible for a more appropriate payment such as Disability Support Pension 
(DSP).  
ESAts are conducted by allied health professionals employed by SA.  
s 47C(1)
Background information on arbitrary list of serious illnesses 
The Social Security Guide provides an arbitrary and exhaustive list of serious illnesses. Currently, 
where a person has one of the medical conditions included in that list of serious illnesses, they may 
be given an initial exemption of 13 weeks and can be granted subsequent exemptions without 
additional medical certificates up to a maximum of 52 weeks.  
The arbitrary and exhaustive list of serious illnesses identifies only the following medical conditions: 
•  Cancer/leukaemia  
•  Severe stroke  
•  Acquired brain injuries  
•  Serious burns  
•  Serious physical injuries requiring long recovery periods  
•  Severe mental health conditions for which the person is receiving treatment in an 
institutional setting.  
If a person has a medical condition that is not listed in the above but is just as serious, they currently 
will not be able to be granted a serious illness exemption and instead will need to revisit their GP 
multiple times to get subsequent medical certificates to cover the full duration of their incapacity.  
Responsible minister for exemptions 
The Administrative Arrangements Order (AAO) provides that Minister Burke as the Minister for 
Employment and Workplace Relations is responsible for the exemption provisions, because they 
relate to participation requirements and compliance with them. 
The AAO says that Minister Burke (as the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) is 
responsible for the following:  
 
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s 47E(d)
 
s 47E(d)
 
Document 8
 
 
“Social Security Act 1991, insofar as it relates to participation requirements and compliance 
with those requirements for participation payment recipients and Chapter 2D 
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999, insofar as it relates to participation requirements 
and compliance with those requirements for participation payment recipients…” 
The exemption provisions “relate” to participation requirements and compliance with them; as such, 
they would fall within the responsibility of Minister Burke.  
 
 
 
 
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s 47E(d)
 
s 47E(d)
 
Document 9
 
Cohort 
Current state 
s 47C(1)
 
 
Principal carer parents 
Principal carer parents can fully meet their requirements through 30 hours per 
fortnight of: 
•  Paid work 
•  Approved study 
•  Any combination of paid work and approved study 
 
In very limited circumstances, a principal carer parent may be able to fully meet 
their requirements through 30 hours per fortnight of approved voluntary work. 
The employment services provider may approve the principal carer parent to 
fully meet their requirements through voluntary work if they determine that: 
- 
The principal carer parent lives in a poor labour market 
- 
there are limited training opportunities locally available 
- 
there is a significant vocational aspect to the voluntary work, and 
- 
that the voluntary work placement meets the criteria for approval as 
part of requirements 
 
 
 
Partial capacity to work 
Those with an assessed partial capacity to work can fully meet their 
requirements through 30 hours per fortnight of: 
•  Paid work 
•  Approved study 
•  Any combination of paid work and approved study 
 
 
Individuals aged 55 and over 
These individuals can fully meet their mutual obligation requirements through 
during on their first 12 months 
30 hours per fortnight of: 
of receiving payment 
•  paid work 
•  paid work and voluntary work, if at least 15 hours of the 30 hours per 
fortnight requirement is in paid work.  
 
For those aged 55 to 59 who 
These individuals can fully meet their requirements through 30 hours per 
have been in receipt of 
fortnight of: 
payment for more than 12 
•  paid work 
months, and any individual 
•  approved voluntary work 
aged 60 and over 
•  any combination of the two activities 
 
 
 
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s 47E(d)
 
Document 10
From:
s 47F(1)
To:
s 47F(1)
Cc:
 (DORMANT); 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
Subject:
Updated options for reducing clash of provider appointments during paid work s 47E(d)
Date:
Sunday, 25 February 2024 11:02:00 AM
Attachments:
image001.jpg
250224 Options for reducing clash of work and appointments UPDATED.docx
Hi  s 47F(1)and s 47F(1)
 
s 47C(1)
Kind regards,
 
 
s 47F(1)
Assistant Secretary
Targeted Employment Policy Branch
Employment Policy and Analytics Division
Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Phone 
 | Mobile 
 
s 47F(1)
s 47F(1)
dewr.gov.au
 
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and
community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging.
 
 
 
 
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Document 11
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Document 11
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s 47E(d)
 
Document 11
 
Table 1 – options to reduce the clash of paid work and appointments 
Option 
Pros 
Cons 
Implementation 
considerations 
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
 
 
s 47C(1)
 
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s 47E(d)
 
s 47E(d)
 
Document 11
 
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
 
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s 47E(d)
 
s 47E(d)
 
Document 11
 
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
 
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s 47E(d)
 
s 47E(d)
 
Document 11
 
s 47C(1)
 
Table 2 – options on specified thresholds 
Option 
Pros 
Cons 
Implementation considerations 
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
 
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Document 11
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Document 11
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Document 12
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Document 12
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s 47E(d)
 
Document 12
 
 
Option 
Pros 
Cons 
Implementation considerations 
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
 
 
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s 47E(d)
 
s 47E(d)
 
Document 12
 
s 47C(1)
s 47C(1)
 
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s 47E(d)
 

Document 12
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CURRENT (Scheduled)
Document 13
What happens if a person fails to meet 
Person has 
No further 
a mutual obligation
Valid Reason
action
(Green Zone or Warning Zone)  
Person makes 
contact within 2 
business days
Demerit applies
Person does not 
Person must meet 
have Valid 
requirement within the 2 
Reason 
business days to avoid 
payment suspension 
Person fails to 
meet provider 
2 Business Days
appointment. 
 to make 
Provider 
contact before 
attempts 
payment 
Person has 
Contact. 
suspended
Valid Reason
Contact 
unsuccessful. 
Person makes 
contact 
Demerit applies
Person does not 
Person must reengage to 
have Valid 
have payment hold 
Reason 
removed 
Person does not 
make contact 
Payment put on 
within 2 
hold
Business Days
Payment 
Person does not 
Person does not 
cancelled after 
make contact 
reengage
28 days 
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CURRENT (Automated)
Document 14
What happens if a person fails to meet 
Demerit 
a mutual obligation
manually 
(Green Zone or Warning Zone)  
removed
Person meets 
No further 
requirement within 
action
Person has 
2 business days
Valid Reason
Person fails to 
Demerit applies
meet PBAS 
Person must meet 
Person must meet 
Person makes 
Person does not 
requirement 
reengagement OR provide 
requirement within 2 
contact within 2 
have Valid 
(contact 
Valid Reason within 2 
business days to avoid 
business days
Reason 
attempt not 
business days to avoid 
payment suspension
required)  
payment suspension 
Person does not 
Person must 
meet requirement 
Payment put on 
reengage to 
Person does not 
within 2 business 
hold
have payment 
reengage
days
hold removed
Person does not 
Person does not 
Person makes 
have Valid 
make contact 
contact 
Reason
Payment 
Demerit manually 
Person has 
cancelled after 
removed
Valid Reason 
28 days
Payment hold removed 
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Document 15
CURRENT
Person can self-accept certain 
penalties in the Penalty Zone
Person does not have/
want to demonstrate 
they have a 
Reasonable Excuse
Person is in the Penalty Zone
Person does not meet 
requirement 
Provider records no Valid 
Person reports for 
Person asked if they have or 
Reason. 
income support.
want to demonstrate 
Penalty applied
Penalty Report submitted to 
Person advised of 
Reasonable Excuse for non-
Services Australia.
potential penalty 
compliance 
Person told to discuss with 
Services Australia when next 
reporting
Person wants to 
demonstrate they have 
a Reasonable Excuse
Services Australia 
Services Australia 
determines person 
investigates
does not have 
Reasonable Excuse 
Services Australia 
Penalty not applied 
determines person has 
Reasonable Excuse 
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s 47C(1)
Document 16
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s 47C(1)
Document 17
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s 47C(1)
Document 18
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s 47C(1)
Document 19
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s 47C(1)
Document 20
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Phone: s 47F(1)
 or s 47F(1)
Document 21
\qc\ri100\sb100s 47E(d)
\sb100From: s 47F(1)
 s 47E(d)
 
Sent: Tuesday, March 5, 2024 6:33 PM
To: s 47F(1)
s 47E(d)
; s 47F(1)
<s 47E(d)
>
Cc: s 47F(1)
 <s 47E(d)
>; s 47F(1)
 <s 47E(d)
>
Subject: FW: Penalty Zone [s 47E(d)
]
\qc\ri100\sb100s 47E(d)
\sb100
s 47F(1)
 – see s 47F(1) advice below.
HI s 47F(1)
s 47C(1)
Cheers
s 47F(1)
Director | Mutual Obligation and Compliance Policy
Targeted Employment Policy Branch | Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Tel: (s 47F(1)  | Email: s 47E(d)
\qc\ri100\sb100s 47E(d)
\sb100
\qc\ri100\sb100s 47E(d)
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Archived: Wednesday, 7 August 2024 13:55:29
Document 22
From: s 47F(1)
 
Sent: Wednesday, 28 February 2024 15:43:32
To: s 47F(1)
 
Cc: s 47F(1)
 
Subject: RE: Responses to MO questions on Bet er recognising NPP [s 47E(d)
]
Importance: Normal
Sensitivity: None
HI s 47F(1)
s 47C(1)
Regards,
s 47F(1)
Director | Mutual Obligation and Compliance Policy
Targeted Employment Policy Branch | Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Tel: s 47F(1)
 | Email: s 47E(d)
From: s 47F(1)
 s 47E(d)
> 
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2024 2:41 PM
To: s 47F(1)
 <s 47E(d)
Cc: s 47F(1)
 <s 47E(d)
s 47E(d)
 s 47F(1)
s 47E(d)
 s 47F(1)
s 47E(d)
 s 47F(1)
s 47E(d)
s 47F(1)
s 47E(d)
Subject: RE: Responses to MO questions on Bet er recognising NPP s 47E(d)
\qc\ri100\sb100s 47E(d)
\sb100
Hi s 47F(1)
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Document 22
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Archived: Wednesday, 7 August 2024 13:55:56
Document 23
From: s 47F(1)
 
Sent: Tuesday, 17 October 2023 16:30:16
To: s 47F(1)
 
Cc: s 47F(1)
Subject: Reporting screenshot
Importance: Normal
Sensitivity: None
HI s 47F(1)
s 47C(1)
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s 47C(1)
Document 23
Hope that helps, and happy of course to discuss if helpful.
Regards,
s 47F(1)
Director | Mutual Obligation and Compliance Policy
Targeted Employment Policy Branch | Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Tel: (s 47F(1)  | Email: s 47E(d)
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