Eligibility and registration for employment assistance as a Vulnerable Youth (VY) or Vulnerable Youth (Student) (VY(S)) 001-02020040

Both Services Australia and Employment Services Providers are responsible for the recognition, identification and consideration of potential vulnerabilities.

During contact with a young person where vulnerabilities appear to be present, consideration should be given to the impact of their individual circumstances. These circumstances are flagged on the customer's record, so they are identified as a VY or VY(S).

Has the customer been registered with a provider?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, go to Step 3

Customers who meet the eligibility criteria for assessment as VY or VY(S) can register for services with the provider. The customer will have access to provider services which is specifically targeted at job seekers experiencing complex and multiple barriers. Job seekers in a Community Development Program (CDP) region are serviced by a CDP provider who will assess appropriate services available for the job seeker's needs.

The provider will flag the customer's record to identify a non-vocational barrier. A serious non-vocational barrier could include:

• homelessness
• drug issues
• mental illness
• physical disability
• social isolation

Within 4 weeks of being registered, the provider may refer the young person to attend Services Australia for further assistance.

Where a young person with at least one serious non-vocational barrier attends Services Australia to seek assistance, the agency will:

• Register the customer as a Fully Eligible Participant (FEP)/fully eligible for CDP as part of the Participation Interview. This will register the customer for Workforce Australia/CDP services if previously not completed
• Exempt them from the RapidConnect process
• Complete a Job Seeker Snapshot as part of the Participation Interview
• Refer for an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) if required
• Refer to a social worker for assessment of crisis circumstances. The social worker can refer the customer to appropriate local youth services in their area (if available)
• Update any circumstances that may affect the customer's ability to meet compulsory requirements. For more information see Circumstances impacting job seeker compliance

A VY or VY(S) flag is assessed in questions on the Job Seeker Registration screen from the Participation Interview which are asked when a customer is aged between 15 and 21 years. This area is protected if the customer has already been identified as VY or VY(S) when they Direct Registered with a provider. Note: the VY/VY(S) flag cannot be set manually.

A VY flag will be set if the young person satisfies all of the following:

• is aged between 15 and 21 years
• not working more than 15 hours per week
• has at least one serious non-vocational barrier
• is not a full-time student
• is not in receipt of an income support payment, and
• has a legal right to work in Australia

A VY (S) flag will be set if the young person satisfies all of the following:

• is aged between 15 and 21 years
• has at least one serious non-vocational barrier
• is a full-time student
• is a youth presenting in crisis
• there are no other suitable services available, and
• has a legal right to work in Australia