Principal carers large family, foster carer, home schooling, distance education or carer non-parent exemption review 102-01130040

If job seeker contacting has Personalised Servicing, see Referring customers to and handling customer enquiries and correspondence for Personalised Services.

Is customer contacting about online task?

• Yes, advise customer all they need to do is advise us via the task if they still meet the exemption criteria and they will have exemption extended. Assist customer to complete online if having difficulty. If they are not continuing they do not need to do anything we will be in contact after the expiry date. Where the customer is unable to complete online, go to Step 2
• No, customers who have received a request to contact letter, go to Step 2

Check the customer's record regarding their circumstances. This includes:

• age of youngest child - if the customer's youngest child is due to turn 16 the customer may lose their exemption (some exemptions are available to non-principal carers, and in respect of over 16) for a registered and active foster carer - check the customer has a foster child in their care. See References for a link to the Principal Carer Definition. Go to the Child Selection (CHS) screen and 'S' the child/ren in their care and go to the Child Miscellaneous Circumstances (CHM) screen
• the principal carer for a large family (four or more dependent children aged under 16, or a secondary pupil child 16 to 19 years old) - the customer must have at least one child aged less than 16 years of age, and therefore still be considered a principal carer to be eligible for this exemption

Go to Step 3.

Discuss the customer's current circumstances involving their children.

• For large family exemption review, check if the customer knows of any future changes to the number of children in their care, and whether any children over 16, but under 19 years old, meet the secondary pupil child definition
• For foster carer exemption review, check they are still a registered and active foster carer, and if aware of any future changes. For non-principal carers, check the customer is still a registered and active respite or emergency foster carer, open to any placements. These customers are eligible for exemptions for up to 12 weeks after a foster child leaves care
• For home schooling or distance education exemption review, check:
• they are still providing home schooling or the children are undertaking distance education
• the children are going to continue with this form of schooling
• if the customer is aware of any future changes
• home schooling or distance education exemptions may be extended if the customer is providing home schooling or distance education to their child/ren who are aged over 16 years and a secondary pupil child. The customer may no longer be considered a principal carer, due to the age of their child, yet still eligible for the exemption
• for carer non-parent exemption review, check that the customer is still a relative, family or community (kin) carer (but not the parent) of a child under a Family Law Parenting Order or a formal State/Territory protection case plan. Check the relevant document (order/plan) has not expired and whether the customer is aware of any future changes

For more information, see Exempting a job seeker from mutual obligation requirements due to special circumstances.

Does the exemption still apply?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, go to Step 5

In Process Direct, update the exemption on the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen:

• Update the record manually on the AEX screen or from action item on Participation Summary screen
• Key ‘AEX’ in the Super Key, select Enter
• The Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen will display
• Select Add New Row
• The Create Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen will display
• Complete the Activity Type, Start date and End date. Select Save. Ensure the appropriate end date is coded, based on the customer's circumstances. For example, using the relevant child's 19th birthday (if a secondary pupil child) the date the child ceases study, or the date specified in foster care or kinship care documentation
• Complete the Receipt Date and Channel fields, select Save
• Select Assess and address any errors/warnings
• Finalise the transaction by selecting Assess again, then select Finish. Record details of the update on the Finalise screen
• Select Finalise to complete the transaction
• Document the decision

Procedure ends here.

A customer can enter into a Job Plan at the expiration of their exemption period, with either Services Australia or their provider (if they are provider managed).

For job seekers in a designated Community Development Program (CDP) region, the type of plan to be negotiated will be determined automatically by the system, based on information sent by the Department of Education IT system, and will depend on whether a CDP provider referral is in place or not

• Outline mutual obligation requirements for principal carers, that is, expected to look for work of at least 15 hours per week
• If no longer considered a principal carer, discuss the full mutual obligation requirements
• Discuss options to meet their obligations:
• Actively seeking work, that is, job seeker
• Working 15 hours or more per week
• Joining a program or commencing study
• Inform the customer of any other support available
• Principal carers already meeting mutual obligation requirements through suitable paid work (including self-employment), approved study, or a combination of work and study of 30 hours per fortnight are not required to be connected to an Employment Services Provider; however they may volunteer to do so. Check that details on the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen in Process Direct are correct. For help, see Mutual obligation requirements for principal carers. To view an approved activity in Process Direct:
• key ‘AEX’ in the Super Key, select Enter
• the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen will display
• If the principal carer decides not to volunteer to be connected to an Employment Services Provider, they should be registered as a Job Seeker Registration Only (JSRO) job seeker
• If the principal carer decides to volunteer, register the job seeker as a Fully Eligible Participant (FEP). Run the Start job seeker registration workflow in Process Direct. Note: do not run the Start job seeker registration workflow if the customer is meeting mutual obligation requirements, unless the customer volunteers or if the customer is in a Community Development Program (CDP) region
• Select Customer Summary from the Process Direct Landing page
• Enter the customer’s Customer Reference Number (CRN) in the CRN field, select Go
• In the customer’s record select > Participation Summary > Job seeker registration & provider referral information
• Refer job seeker to their choice of provider, if not automatically linked to Workforce Australia Online for Individuals. Job seekers in CDP regions do not have a choice of providers, as there is only one provider for each region
• If the job seeker is Centrelink managed negotiate a Job Plan
• Advise the job seeker they must comply with their compulsory requirements and the consequences of not doing so. If they are provider managed, see Managing compliance with compulsory requirements
• Advise the job seeker of their reporting requirements, such as:
• Reporting Statement (SU19), or
• Self managed services (online or Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR))
• If the customer no longer has a dependent child, advise they are no longer entitled to the higher maximum basic rate for single JobSeeker Payment (JSP) or single/partnered Youth Allowance (YA) customers
• If the customer was receiving the exemption as a single principal carer, and has lost eligibility for the exemption for any reason, advise them the principal carer they are no longer entitled to the higher rate of JSP, YA or SpB (equivalent to the PPS rate)
• Document the decision

These include the following Service Components:

• 256 - Large Family Exemption Update (Remote)
• 257 - Foster Carer Exemption Update (Remote)
• 258 - Home Schl or Dist Ed Exemptn Update (Remote)
• 287 - Carer Non-Parent (Kinship) Exemption Update (Remote)

To start a Participation Exemption Review for a remote customer go to Step 2.

To find Participation Exemption Review manually, code the following fields for up to three service component IDs on the Service Component Search (PQCS) screen:

Service Component:

• ID: field
• Status: code as 'NST' - not started
• Zone/SC: enter the Service Centre or Zone that the work is required for

Once [Enter] has been pressed, a list of customers with Service Components that match the search criteria will be displayed on the PQCS screen.

'S'elect the required number of customers to meet the Service Update target - up to a maximum of 15 can be selected at one time.

Participation Exemption Reviews only need to be manually found for remote customers.

Start the Service Component by updating the status of the Schedule Contact Service Action.

• The Schedule Contact Service Action will be:
• 289 Manually schedule contact (this Service Action is for remote customers)
• Type an 'I' in the field to the left of the Service Action - Schedule Contact
• Change the status from not started ('NST') to completed ('COM')
• Code Source: and DOR: fields
• Finalise on the Assessment Results (AR) screen

The Service Component should now have a status of started ('STA').

• To manually book an appointment, go to Step 4
• To conduct the Participation Exemption Review, go to Step 1 in Table 3

Manually book an appointment via the Centrelink Appointment System (CAS) using the Book and Manage Appointments Guided procedure.

Use the appointment code 'Exemption Review Appointment'.

Ask the customer to supply documents that support their exemption being extended.

Before a CAS appointment check the customer's record regarding their circumstances. This includes:

• age of youngest child - if the customer's youngest child is due to turn 16 the customer may lose their exemption (some exemptions are available to non-principal carers, and in respect of over 16)
• for a registered and active foster carer - check the customer has a foster child in their care. Go to the Child Selection (CHS) screen and 'S' the child/ren in their care and go to the Child Miscellaneous Circumstances (CHM) screen
• the principal carer for a large family (four or more dependent children aged under 16, or a secondary pupil child 16 to 19 years old) - the customer must have at least one child aged less than 16 years of age, and therefore still be considered a principal carer to be eligible for this exemption

Discuss the customer's current circumstances involving their children.

• For large family exemption review Service Update, check if the customer knows of any future changes to the number of children in their care, and whether any children over 16, but under 19 years old, meet the secondary pupil child definition
• For foster carer exemption review Service Update, check they are still a registered and active foster carer, and if aware of any future changes. For non-principal carers, check the customer is still a registered and active respite or emergency foster carer, open to any placements. These customers are eligible for exemptions for up to 12 weeks after a foster child leaves care
• For home schooling or distance education exemption review Service Update, check:
• they are still providing home schooling or the children are undertaking distance education
• the children are going to continue with this form of schooling
• if the customer is aware of any future changes
• home schooling or distance education exemptions may be extended if the customer is providing home schooling or distance education to their child/ren who are aged over 16 years and a secondary pupil child. The customer may no longer be considered a principal carer, due to the age of their child, yet still eligible for the exemption
• for carer non-parent exemption review Service Update, check that the customer is still a relative, family or community (kin) carer (but not the parent) of a child under a Family Law Parenting Order or a formal State/Territory protection case plan. Check the relevant document (order/plan) has not expired and whether the customer is aware of any future changes

For more information, see Exempting a job seeker from mutual obligation requirements due to special circumstances.

Does the exemption still apply?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, go to Step 4

Update exemption as part of the Service Component.

If necessary, update the record manually on the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen in Process Direct:

• Key ‘AEX’ in the Super Key, select Enter
• The Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen will display
• Select Add New Row
• The Create Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen will display
• Complete the Activity Type, Start date and End date. Select Save. Ensure the appropriate end date is coded, based on the customer's circumstances. For example, using the relevant child's 19th birthday (if a secondary pupil child) the date the child ceases study, or the date specified in foster care or kinship care documentation
• Complete the Receipt Date and Channel fields, select Save
• Select Assess and address any errors/warnings
• Finalise the transaction by selecting Assess again, then select Finish. Record details of the update on the Finalise screen
• Select Finalise to complete the transaction
• Finalise Service Component, go to Step 5

A customer can enter into a Job Plan at the expiration of their exemption period, with either Services Australia or their provider (if they are provider managed)

For job seekers in a designated Department of Education CDP region, the type of plan to be negotiated will be determined automatically by the system, based on information sent by the Department of Education IT system, and will depend on whether a CDP provider referral is in place or not

• Outline mutual obligation requirements for principal carers, that is, expected to look for work of at least 15 hours per week
• If no longer considered a principal carer, discuss the full mutual obligation requirements
• Discuss options to meet their obligations:
• Actively seeking work, that is, job seeker
• Working 15 hours or more per week
• Joining a program or commencing study
• Inform the customer of any other support available
• Principal carers already meeting mutual obligation requirements through suitable paid work (including self-employment), approved study, or a combination of work and study of 30 hours per fortnight are not required to be connected to an Employment Services Provider; however they may volunteer to do so. Check that details on the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen in Process Direct are correct. For help, see Mutual obligation requirements for principal carers. To view an approved activity in Process Direct:
• key ‘AEX’ in the Super Key, select Enter
• the Activity and Exemption Summary (AEX) screen will display
• If the principal carer decides not to volunteer to be connected to an Employment Services Provider, they should be registered as a Job Seeker Registration Only (JSRO) job seeker
• If the principal carer decides to volunteer, register the job seeker as a Fully Eligible Participant (FEP). Run the Start job seeker registration workflow in Process Direct. Note: do not run Start job seeker registration workflow if the customer is meeting mutual obligation requirements unless the customer volunteers or if the customer is in a Community Development Program (CDP) region
• Select Customer Summary from the Process Direct Landing page
• Enter the customer’s Customer Reference Number (CRN) in the CRN field, select Go
• In the customer’s record select > Participation Summary > Job seeker registration & provider referral information
• Refer job seeker to their choice of provider. Job seekers in CDP regions do not have a choice of providers, as there is only one provider for each region
• If the job seeker is Centrelink managed negotiate a Job Plan
• Advise the job seeker they must comply with their compulsory requirements and the consequences of not doing so. If they are provider managed, see Managing compliance with compulsory requirements
• Advise the job seeker of their reporting requirements, such as:
• Reporting Statement (SU19), or
• Self managed services (online or Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR))
• If the customer no longer has a dependent child, advise they are no longer entitled to the higher maximum basic rate for single JobSeeker Payment (JSP) or single/partnered Youth Allowance (YA) customers
• If the customer was receiving the exemption as a single principal carer, and has lost eligibility for the exemption for any reason, advise them the principal carer they are no longer entitled to the higher rate of JSP, YA or SpB (equivalent to the PPS rate)

• Use the Service Profiling Update Workflow to launch and finalise the Service Component. Action from:
• the open appointment or
• the action item in the Participation Summary screen in Customer First
• This will automatically update the status of the Service Component 'Principal carers large family, foster carer, home schooling, distance education or carer non-parent exemption review Service Update' to 'COM' (completed). Note: when the Service Component is completed it cannot be restarted. For more information on changing a Service Action status, see The Service Strategy (PQSS) screen
• For information on how to correctly attribute a Service Profiling debt to the associated Integrated Review System (IRS) Service Update, see Attributing Service Profiling Debts to Integrated Review System (IRS) Service Updates

The Service Component will not complete if the response to 'Have you conducted the Review?' is no. The workflow must be used if the customer has attended the appointment.