Employment assistance for carers in receipt of Carer Payment and/or Carer Allowance 009-01020000

Disability Employment Services, Workforce Australia Employment Services Providers and Community Development Program (CDP) providers are the Australian Government's gateway for job seekers to access training, skills development and work experience. The Employment Service Providers will assist carers to develop a Job Plan that will set out the specific services and training carers can receive based on their individual circumstances and caring responsibilities. Referrals are made via the Job Seeker Snapshot.

Carers who are paid CP and/or CA can be referred to Employment Services Providers at any time. Links to further information on Workforce Australia Services is available in the Resources page.

Other non-employment related services, such as support services for carers, are also available.

Carers in receipt of CP are eligible for the following employment assistance services:

• Workforce Australia Online - Carers (who are under Age Pension age) can register as a volunteer job seeker. Access to Workforce Australia Online as a volunteer job seeker is not time limited
• Community Development Program (CDP) - when a carer lives in a Department of Employment and Workplace Relations designated remote area, they are able to be referred to a Community Development Program (CDP) provider
• Self-Employment Assistance - Carers may be able to access assistance through Self-Employment Assistance. Carers can be away from caring responsibilities to participate in Self-Employment Assistance for up to 25 hours per week (including travel time)
• Disability Employment Services (DES) - Carers can access these services. Assessment and referral is undertaken through a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) or through an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt)
• Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) (transition to work) - ACCS (transition to work) is intended to provide additional assistance with the cost of child care for families transitioning from income support by engaging in work, study or training activities. CP is an ACCS (transition to work) eligible payment. A customer may be eligible for ACCS (transition to work) if they are first assessed as eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and they then meet the general eligibility requirements.

Carers in receipt of CA are eligible for the following employment assistance services:

• Workforce Australia Online - Carers in receipt of CA (but not in receipt of any other income support payment) can register as a volunteer job seeker. Access to Workforce Australia Online as a volunteer job seeker is not time limited
• Community Development Program (CDP) - when a carer lives in a Department of Employment and Workplace Relations designated remote area, they are able to be referred to a Community Development Program (CDP) provider
• Disability Employment Services (DES) - Carers can access these services if also in receipt of an income support payment. Assessment and referral is undertaken through an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt)

Note: if a carer in receipt of CA also receives CP, refer above to CP eligibility information. If they receive a different income support payment, refer to 'Related links' (below) for guidance on eligibility.