A range of employment and employment related services are available to help you if you want to find a job or are just getting ready to look for work. Services are also available for employees with disability who need help to keep a job. It is important that you receive the services that best suit your individual needs.
The following step by step guide tells you how to access and register with the right type of Australian Government employment service provider.
Step 1—Your first point of contact
If you are looking for work you should contact Centrelink Employment Services on 13 28 50 or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Centrelink will be able to register you as looking for work even if you have not yet completed the registration process.
In addition, Centrelink may complete a Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI) with you and if required, organise a Job Capacity Assessment to determine which service best meets your needs.
Information on the Job Seeker Classification Instrument and Job Capacity Assessment can be found by visiting:
Step 2—Do you require a Job Capacity Assessment?
If you do need a Job Capacity Assessment, Centrelink will be able to organise for you to see a Job Capacity Assessment provider. Centrelink will also provide you with information about the purpose of the assessment and when to attend.
A Job Capacity Assessment is a single, comprehensive assessment of your ability to work. The assessment identifies any barriers to work and any interventions that may be needed to help you overcome those barriers. If you have a medical condition or disability, the assessment also identifies your work capacity in hour bandwidths. The assessor will talk to you about programs of assistance that could help you and will also organise to refer you to an appropriate employment or employment related service wherever possible.
In some cases, Centrelink may also be the Job Capacity Assessment provider and they will complete this assessment with you.
If you do not need a Job Capacity Assessment, Centrelink will be able to directly refer you to the most appropriate employment or employment related service for assistance.
Step 3—Contacting a local service provider directly
You may also choose to contact a local employment service provider directly for assistance. Your local employment service provider will be able to determine whether you are eligible for their assistance and in some cases this may mean attending a Job Capacity Assessment. If that service is not the best service for you, the employment service provider or the Job Capacity Assessment provider will organise a referral to a more appropriate service.
Step 4—Volunteering for employment assistance
Job seekers without job search obligations, such as Disability Support Pension (DSP) recipients, are able to volunteer for employment services and other programs of assistance. A Job Capacity Assessment will determine the most appropriate employment service or program of assistance based on individual needs.