Self-employment 001-02010060
Expand allThis document outlines how staff can assist customers with information about self-employment, and how a job seeker can meet their mutual obligation requirements.
Starting a business
Customers and job seekers can access information about starting a business from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) website or state and territory agencies. Training information about small business courses can be accessed from organisations such as TAFE.
Self-Employment Assistance
Self-Employment Assistance assists eligible job seekers to establish and run new commercially viable businesses. Job seekers who are registered with Workforce Australia or a Disability Employment Services (DES) providers and who have a suitable business idea, may be referred by their provider or DES to participate in Self-Employment Assistance for specialist small business services and training. See Self-Employment Assistance for further information.
Self-employment and mutual obligation requirements
JobSeeker Payment (JSP), Youth Allowance (YA) (job seekers), Parenting Payment (PP) customers with mutual obligation requirements and certain Special Benefit (SpB) customers are required to be actively looking for work, or taking reasonable steps to undertake suitable training or other requirements which assist them to return to employment.
Job seekers may be able to have self-employment approved as an activity to meet their mutual obligation requirements.
A job seeker's business income and hours of work will be assessed as part of meeting reporting and participation obligations.
The Resources page contains further information for customers to investigate different aspects of self-employment.
Related links
Self-employment as an approved activity to satisfy mutual obligation requirements
Approved mutual obligation requirements for Centrelink managed Job Plans
Steps to making an assessment of a business
Factors to determine self-employment
Community Development Program (CDP)