Drug or Alcohol dependency treatment program or intervention as an approved activity 001-17111600

Drug and alcohol treatment programs/interventions (treatment activities) can be undertaken as approved activities by job seekers in some circumstances.

Treatment activities may or may not contribute to mutual obligation requirements, depending on whether a job seeker is Centrelink managed or managed by a:

• Workforce Australia provider
• Disability Employment Service (DES) provider
• Community Development Program (CDP) provider

Workforce Australia managed job seekers can discuss appropriate and available treatment programs or interventions with their provider for consideration in developing their points target.

If the job seeker is undertaking intensive treatment (such as residential rehabilitation) and is unable to participate in other activities, the treatment activity will fully meet their mutual obligation requirements.

The job seeker will remain provider managed.

If they are undertaking less intensive treatment activities (such as a fortnightly counselling session), this may contribute to meeting their mutual obligation requirements. The job seeker will need to undertake other activities, such as job search or training to meet their requirements. However, the provider may reduce their requirements as appropriate, based on the job seeker's individual circumstances.

Workforce Australia Employment Services Providers have access to the Employment Fund. This can be used to help job seekers by paying for professional services, such as drug and alcohol counselling or rehabilitation.

If a job seeker fails to meet their compulsory requirements, they may be subject to compliance action under the Targeted Compliance Framework.

CDP job seekers are not subject to the same Drug and/or Alcohol reasonable excuse provisions that apply to Workforce Australia managed job seekers.

CDP participants can discuss appropriate and available treatment programs or interventions with their provider for consideration. However, any treatment programs they choose to participate in are voluntary and no compliance action is taken if they:

• fail to attend the program, or
• choose to leave the program

If the participant remains CDP provider managed, they must still meet the mutual obligation requirements set out in their signed and negotiated Job Plan.

A CDP participant is eligible for a temporary incapacity exemption if they:

• supply a medical certificate that indicates drug or alcohol dependency/misuse as the primary condition, or
• advise they are undertaking a drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation program

DES managed job seekers who are undertaking drug and alcohol rehabilitation in a residential program only:

• are fully meeting their mutual obligation requirements, and
• are not required to undertake job search activities

The job seeker remains DES provider managed and must still attend provider appointments.

It is recommended the job seeker has an authorised correspondence nominee. The nominee will receive all correspondence and notifications sent from the provider to the job seeker.

The nominee can advise the provider the job seeker is in a residential program and may not have access to a phone or a computer.

DES Providers can use their service fees to pay for appropriate types of help for an individual job seeker based on their circumstances. This help may include interventions such as drug and alcohol counselling or rehabilitation.

Centrelink managed job seekers may undertake treatment activities; however, they are additional, voluntary activities only. Participation in these treatment activities must not impact or reduce the job seeker's mutual obligation requirements.

Centrelink managed job seekers must still undertake the required compulsory activities that have been approved by Services Australia, for example:

• part-time or voluntary work, or
• quarterly participation interviews

If the job seeker wishes to reduce or fully satisfy their mutual obligation requirements through participation in a drug/alcohol treatment activity, they should be referred to an Employment Services Provider for help. Providers can access a greater network of services and resources to support job seekers to overcome their barriers to employment.

Services Australia does not have access to funding to pay for treatment activities. If a job seeker wishes to discuss treatment options, they should be told to speak with their treating health professional.

Provider managed job seekers

If a provider contacts to discuss treatment activities for a job seeker, they should be told to contact their Account Manager for assistance.

Centrelink managed job seekers

If the job seeker wants to add a treatment activity as an additional, voluntary activity, staff do not need to recommend or determine appropriate treatment activities.

Inclusion of a treatment activity in the job seeker's requirements is guided by evidence from treating health professionals and/or disclosure by the job seeker.

Claimants of Job Seeker Payment (JSP) and Youth Allowance (YA) (job seeker) are subject to RapidConnect. Job seekers in residential treatment facilities (drug/alcohol rehabilitation) are exempt from RapidConnect. However, a referral to employment services is needed to avoid claim rejection or payment suspension.

Workforce Australia providers will not start a job seeker in employment services while they are participating in a residential treatment program. Workforce Australia providers will start a job seeker in employment services after their treatment program has ended.

For further information, see RapidConnect exemptions.