Voluntary work as an approved activity 001-09070060
How voluntary work and suitable paid work can satisfy mutual obligation requirements
This table outlines how voluntary work and suitable paid work can fully satisfy a job seeker's mutual obligation requirements for a job seeker who has been getting income support for over 12 months. Note: the amount of $24.10 an hour used for the minimum wage is the 1 July 2024 rate and is for illustration purposes only. Service Officers must check the Fair Work Commission's website for the latest national minimum wage when assessing a job seeker's circumstances.
Item |
Scenario |
1 |
Mutual obligation requirements met with a combination of approved voluntary work and paid work Ted is over 55 years of age and has been getting JobSeeker Payment (JSP) for over 12 months. Ted is currently doing 10 hours a week approved voluntary work and has taken a part-time job one day a week for 5 hours. Ted is paid $10 an hour working a part-time job and earns $50 per week. This will not satisfy the sufficient work test, as the remuneration is insufficient. Ted needs to earn at least $120.50, which equates to 5 hours at the minimum wage rate of $24.10 an hour. Ted increases his part-time job to 15 hours and now earns $150.00 per week. Combined with Ted's volunteer work, this is more than the required number of hours, and as this pay now exceeds $120.50, the remuneration test is satisfied. The mutual obligation requirements are being met in full as Ted is doing a combination of approved voluntary and paid work of at least 30 hours per fortnight and is meeting the sufficient work test. |
External websites
Check the current rate of the national minimum wage on the Fair Work Australia website.