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Exempting a job seeker from their mutual obligation requirements when going overseas 001-09120040

This document outlines the circumstances in which a customer is able to be exempted from mutual obligation or Participation Requirements if they go overseas.

Exemptions from mutual obligation requirement for job seekers travelling overseas

Step	Action
1	JobSeeker Payment (JSP) or Youth Allowance (YA) job seeker advises they are going overseas + Read more ... Determine if payment of JSP or YA (job seeker) can continue by running the Portability Script - Departures and Returns. See Coding departures and returns for customers leaving Australia - for assistance. If the script is not working, see: JobSeeker Payment (JSP) customer going overseas Youth Allowance (YA) customer going overseas Note: generally, a Smart Centre Call Service Officer should not make a decision regarding the portability of JSP or YA job seeker unless the customer is leaving Australia urgently. Does the reason for absence from Australia allow payment while overseas? Yes, go to Step 2. No, the script will cancel payment from date of departure. Procedure ends here
2	Exempt job seeker from mutual obligation requirements + Read more ... The reasons which allow payment while a person is outside Australia, also exempt the job seeker from mutual obligation requirements (whichever is applicable). When the allowable absence reason is coded by the Portability Script - Departures and Returns on the Customer Advised Travel Details (RSCD) screen, the system will automatically: record exemption reason AOA (Customer Overseas) on the AEX screen for the period of the allowable absence set lodgement frequency to LNR (lodgement not required), customers are not required to lodge forms because they are exempt from mutual obligation requirements, and suppress any reviews for the absence period
3	Length of the exemption + Read more ... The exemption from mutual obligation requirements will apply for the specific negotiated period of the allowable absence. The final day of the specific negotiated period is recorded in the End date: field on the Customer Advised Travel Details (RSCD) screen. Consider as a guideline: How long would an exemption from mutual obligation requirements apply to the person if they were in Australia, for example, how long would the court case or family crisis stop them being able to look for work? Add to this the necessary travelling time, and time which might be required for any other arrangements. A Service Officer should always grant the minimum reasonable time the customer will need to deal with the crisis. The absence can be extended if necessary up to the maximum portability period. For assistance, see Restricted portability for payment during overseas absences where customer has special circumstances.