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Mobility Allowance (MOB) Employment/Training Reviews 008-10030020




This document outlines information about MOB employment/training reviews (ETR). This procedure explains how to help customers complete the Review of Mobility Allowance (MA0003M) review form and assess continuing eligibility for MOB when the form is returned.

On this page:

Mobility Allowance reviews

Processing Employment/Training review

Finalising MOB ETR reviews

Mobility Allowance reviews

Table 1

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Step

Action

1

Mobility Allowance Employment/Training Review

If the customer and/or nominee contacts to:

  • ask about questions in the MA003M, go to Step 2
  • request an electronic version of the MA003M:
    • tell the customer they can download and complete the MA003M form from the Services Australia website
    • customers with disability or medical condition affecting their vision can request documents in an accessible format. See Accessible letters for customers with vision loss

If a Mobility Allowance trained service officer is allocated a:

  • MOB Employment/Training Review (MA003M) form, or
  • MOB review (ZIAM_MOB_REVIEW) activity in Customer First

Go to Step 3.

2

Questions in the MA003M

To remain eligible for MOB, the customer must continue to meet the eligibility for MOB criteria. See Eligibility for Mobility Allowance (MOB).

Qualifying Activities

Where the customer and/or nominee are enquiring about information required to verify a qualifying activity, see Verification of Mobility Allowance (MOB) activities.

Employment

Customers receiving the higher rate of MOB based on hours worked must also report their income to verify wages are at or above the relevant minimum wage. While MOB is not income tested, if the hours worked are less than:

  • 15 hours per week as reported by the customer, higher rate MOB recipients will enter a 12-week higher rate period of grace (POG)
  • 32 hours over a 4-week period, the customer will enter a 12-week standard rate POG

If the customer's income support payment is precluded due to income/hours worked, the customer may still be eligible for the higher rate of MOB.

Job Search

In Process Direct:

  • select Customer Summary from the landing page
  • key the customer's Customer Reference Number (CRN), select Go
  • in the Super Key field, key:
    • JOBPLAN - to view the activity details in the customer's current agreed Job Plan, and
    • RRSUM - to view the customer's Referral Summary details

Customers participating in Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) satisfy the eligibility requirement for MOB standard rate:

  • through their participation (the number of hours participating in IEA is not taken into account), and
  • when they have a current Job Plan that includes job search activities

Customers who have an exemption from their JobSeeker Payment (JSP), Youth Allowance (YA) or Parenting Payment (PP) mutual obligation requirements may lose qualification for MOB. See Cancellation and Period of Grace for Mobility Allowance (MOB).

Vocational training, voluntary work or an Independent Living/Life Skills course

When undertaking vocational training, voluntary work or independent living/ life skills training, customers must also adhere to the 32 hours every 4 weeks on a continuing basis.

The hours spent on recreational activities as part of Independent Living/Life Skills training do not count towards the hours for MOB purposes.

Customer declaration

Customers need to check they have completed the form and read the declaration before signing the review form (electronic signature also acceptable).

Note: discuss any concerns about the authenticity of the customer's signature (including electronic signature) with a supervisor and complete a Suspected Fraud referral if appropriate. Do not document specific details of the allegation(s) on the customer's record. Escalate to Level 2 Policy Helpdesk if further assistance is required.

3

Review of Mobility Allowance (MA003M) form

Review the MA003M to determine if all required questions have been answered.

Verification of qualifying activity

When completing the MA003M, the customer and/or nominee may be prompted to provide verification of the customers qualifying activity.

Where the MA003M requests verification, see Verification of Mobility Allowance (MOB) activities.

Date of Event for Employment/Training reviews

When actioning Employment/Training reviews, the Date of Event is the date:

  • a change occurred, for example, employment ceased, or
  • the MA003M was submitted, if no change has occurred

If the Date of Event cannot be determined by the MA003M/MA003RM form or details available on the customer's record, make a genuine attempt to contact the customer and/or nominee to confirm when the change occurred.

If the customer cannot confirm the Date of Event and no clear avenue exists to check or verify the details from other sources, use the day the decision is made.

MOB Progress of ETR DOC

When a customer is selected for an Employment/Training review, staff assessing MOB eligibility must record a DOC to include relevant details related to the assessment and determination of the review.

Using the Fast Note workflow, in the Extra Details field enter MOB Progress of ETR.

Record the Date of Event determination details on a DOC.

Has the customer and/or nominee provided a complete MA003M including verification of qualifying activity where required?


4

Further information required

When a customer returns a MA003M form, but the form is incomplete the system will not automatically suspend SNR. Staff must request any missing information from the customer.

If an incomplete MA003M form has been provided, make genuine attempts to contact the customer/nominee to request the required information verbally.

If contact was successful and the required information has:

  • been provided:
    • annotate the MOB Progress of ETR DOC with the details, go to Step 5
  • not been provided:
    • advise the customer of the information required, see Requesting information (CLK)
    • annotate the MOB Progress of ETR DOC with details of the request
    • procedure ends here until information has been provided

If contact was unsuccessful and the work item is:

  • MOB/ETR activity in Customer First:
    • issue a request for information, see Requesting information (CLK)
    • annotate the MOB Progress of ETR DOC with details of the request
    • place the activity on hold until the RFI is due. Note: where the MOB/ETR activity has a status of FMR, change the status to Started before placing it on hold
    • procedure ends here until information has been provided
  • MA003M form:
    • issue a request for information, see Requesting information (CLK)
    • annotate the MOB Progress of ETR DOC with details of the request
    • place the activity on hold until the RFI is due
    • procedure ends here until information has been provided

Customer has not responded to the request for information within the timeframe

Check to confirm that the request the customer has not responded to includes:

  • advice about the information/action required
  • a reasonable timeframe for response
  • information about the consequence of non-compliance

If the customer has been advised and failed to respond with the required information:


Note: if the customer fails to provide the requested information within 13 weeks of suspension, MOB will cancel automatically.

5

Check MOB status

If the customer's MOB status is:

  • MOB/CUR, see Table 2 > Step 1
  • MOB/SUS or MOB/CAN, review the SUS/CAN reason to determine if MOB can be restored:
    • If SUS/CAN reason was due to pending information for MOB ETR and information has been provided. Any changes in the customers circumstances must be recorded before restoring the payment. See Table 2 > Step 1
    • If SUS/CAN reason was due to pending information for MOB ETR and information has been provided advising customer is no longer eligible. Any changes in their circumstances must be recorded before restoring MOB. When restoring MOB, the system should correct the POG/CAN reason and date of event within the restoration activity, see Table 2 > Step 1
    • If SUS/CAN reason was not due to MOB/ETR, see Cancellation, suspension and rejection codes for Mobility Allowance (MOB) including Period of Grace reasons

Note: automatic suspension or cancellation will occur when a customer fails to return the MA003M. When a customer provides an incomplete MA003M, automatic suspension or cancellation will not occur.


Processing Employment/Training review

Table 2: for Mobility Allowance Processing Team only.

Expand table

Step

Action

1

Commence review activity

If there is a MOB/ETR activity in Customer First on the Activity List (AL) screen, select the activity and compete all relevant coding within the existing activity.

In Customer First:

  • go to the AL screen
  • to select the MOB/ETR activity, key 'S'

Where there is no MOB/ETR activity on the AL screen in Customer First, code the updates in a new activity.

Eligibility for MOB

When assessing a MOB ETR, the customer must continue to qualify for MOB. See Eligibility for Mobility Allowance (MOB).

If the customer:


2

Vehicle assistance

When a customer has been given a car by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, they are no longer eligible for MOB.

On the MOCD screen, insert a new line in the following fields:

  • Event Date: key the date the change occurred
  • Vehicle Assistance Received: key Y
  • Press [Enter]

See Table 3 > Step 1

3

Fails MOB travel test

When the customer is participating in an approved activity but the activity does not meet the Mobility Allowance travel test requirements, they are no longer eligible for MOB.

On the MOCD screen, insert a new line in the following fields:

  • Event Date: key the date the change occurred
  • Failed Travel Test: key Y
  • Press [Enter]

See Table 3 > Step 1.

4

Job search activities

Check the customer's Job Plan for Job Search activities.

In Process Direct:

  • in the Super Key field, key JOBPLAN
  • select View Plan to view the activity details in the customer's current agreed Job Plan

Is the customer looking for work?

  • Yes, and is:
    • on the higher rate of MOB or a volunteer. The Job Plan and suitable job search activities will be automatically system-verified which will trigger the appropriate rate of MOB. See Table 3 > Step 1
    • subject to mutual obligation requirements and eligible for the standard rate of MOB. The Job Plan must be checked for suitable job search activities and details keyed on the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen, go to Step 5
    • not receiving an income support payment but is undertaking job search activities. Evidence of the job search activities must be checked to see if it is considered sufficient, go to Step 5
  • No, go to Step 5

5

Check employment and income screens

In Customer First, check the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) and Employment Income Summary (EANS) screens for details of the customer's employment income and hours.

Compare the activity/activities on the ETS screen with the customer's responses on the Review of Mobility Allowance (MA003M).

Note: the customer may be entitled to the higher rate of MOB if they advise they have started working and are receiving:

  • Disability Support Pension (DSP)
  • Jobseeker Payment (JSP)
  • Youth Allowance (YA) (job seeker), or
  • Parenting Payment (PP)

If their employment income and hours are not already recorded as part of the reporting requirements for their income support payment, see Recording and correcting employment income details for more details.

Has the customer indicated a change to the previously approved and verified activity/activities?


6

Compare customer record with review form responses

Compare the activity/activities on the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen with the customer's review form responses. Determine if the customer's activity hours have changed, or if they have started or stopped:

  • receiving JSP or YA (job seeker) and satisfying mutual obligation requirements
  • receiving JSP, YA (job seeker), PP or DSP and qualifying for the higher rate of MOB
  • studying and receiving Austudy
  • undertaking job search activities
  • participation in an Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program
  • working (including self employment and voluntary work)

Customers on a higher rate of MOB who are no longer eligible for an income support payment solely due to their employment hours or income, will remain on the higher rate if they continue to satisfy the basic eligibility criteria for MOB.

Has the customer started or stopped any of the above?

  • Yes, use ? field help to update or record the details on Employment/Training Details (ETD) or Employment Income Summary (EANS) screen, go to Step 7
  • No, see Table 3 > Step 1

7

Qualifying activity for MOB

Check the Customer satisfies 32 hours rule field to confirm if the customer:

  • satisfies or is exempt from the 32 hours rule, or
  • satisfies the requirements for higher rate MOB

If the customer:

  • is undertaking gainful employment, training or voluntary work and:
    • changed the hours spent doing an approved activity with a previously recorded employer, training organisation or voluntary work organisation, go to Step 8
    • stopped their activity with the previously recorded employer, training organisation or voluntary work organisation, go to Step 9
  • is undertaking other qualifying MOB activities which are not shown on the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen, check ETS for any previous qualifying activities that may need updating, go to Step 9
  • is not undertaking any other qualifying MOB activities or has no further changes to other recorded activities, see Table 3 > Step 1

8

Customer has changed the hours spent doing an approved activity

On the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen:

  • 'S'elect the relevant employer, training organisation or voluntary work organisation
  • Press [Enter]
  • Insert a new line on the existing Employment/Training Details (ETD) screen
  • Event Date: key the date the change occurred
  • Details Verified?: key Y to stop a verification form being automatically issued to the customer for this activity
  • Hrs:Min: key the hours and minutes as required
  • Press [Enter], go to Step 9

9

Ceased an approved activity

When the customer has ceased a qualifying activity including, a previously recorded employer, training organisation, voluntary work organisation or qualifying payment, they are no longer eligible for MOB.

On the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen

  • 'S'elect the activity the customer has ceased
  • Press [Enter]
  • Insert a new line on the existing Employment/Training Details (ETD) screen. In the following fields:
    • Event Date: key the date the change occurred
    • Details Verified?: key Y to stop a verification form being automatically issued to the customer for this ceased activity
    • Hrs:Min: key the hours as 00:00
  • Press [Enter]

Has the customer commenced a new qualifying activity?


10

Recording a new qualifying activity on Employment/Training Details (ETD) screen

When the customer advised they have commenced a new qualifying activity (not shown or previously recorded on the ETD or Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen

On the ETS screen:

  • In the Nxt field, key ETD to create a blank ETD, screen, use ? field help to complete the fields
  • Type: the relevant activity type/s
  • Event Date: the date the activity commenced
  • Details Verified: Verification Not Returned or Verification Returned, see Verification of Mobility Allowance (MOB) activities
  • Hrs:MIN: enter hours and minutes
  • Expected End date: expected end date if known

Do any current activities on the ETS screen show N or I in the ‘Details Verified?’ field?


11

Verification form is outstanding

Do not complete the MOB activity if one of the following forms has been automatically issued to the customer overnight:

  • Mobility Allowance Verification of work (including voluntary work), and looking for work activities (MA005Em), or
  • Mobility Allowance Verification of training (MA005Tm)

The customer has:

  • 21 days to return the initial form
  • 21 days to return a reminder form before MOB is suspended, and
  • 21 days of suspension before MOB is automatically cancelled (with no period of grace (POG))

Resubmit the activity for a suitable date in the future. MOB will automatically suspend/cancel if the customer does not return the review form.

Note: if there is pending outstanding verification action, and the activity is completed by mistake, payments under a POG will start. This must not occur as there is no legislative basis to pay a POG because of unverified hours. See Cancellation and Period of Grace for Mobility Allowance (MOB).

Procedure ends here until verification has been provided.


Finalising MOB ETR reviews

Table 3: for Mobility Allowance National Team (AMW).

Expand table

Step

Action

1

Review outcome

Take the MOB review activity to the Assessment Results (AR) screen:

  • Address any warnings or errors
  • Review the benefit outcome and payment details

If the outcome of the decision is:


2

Making a favourable decision

Is the outcome of the review a favourable decision?

  • Yes, the customer will continue to receive MOB:
    • where there was no change to a previously verified activity, further verification is not required. From the Employment/Training Summary (ETS) screen, select the relevant activity to go to the Employment/Training Details (ETD) screen. Key a new line with:
      • Event Date: date that the MA003 was submitted
      • Details Verified: Y
      • Hrs:Min: as previously verified
    • if there is information from the review indicating the customer's employment income and hours varies from the information currently reported for their income support payment, the Employment Income Summary (EANS) and Employment Income Paid Details (EAPP) screen are to be updated. See Recording and correcting employment income details.
      Note: MOB is not income tested so any changes to employment income and/or hours should be reported as part of their income support payment reporting requirements
    • document the result on the customer's record including actions undertaken, outcome and reason for ongoing eligibility (such as, verified employment with sufficient hours, current Job Plan including job search activities)
    • finalise the activity through the Assessment Results (AR) screen. This will automatically mature and finalise the Service profiling activity on the Service Strategy (PQSS) screen
    • procedure ends here
  • No, go to Step 3

3

Making an unfavourable decision

Customer is no longer eligible for MOB.

Make at least 2 genuine attempts to contact the customer to advise if an unfavourable decision is to be made.

Record all details on a DOC and finalise the activity through the AR screen. This will automatically mature and finalise the Service Profiling activity on Service Strategy (PQSS) screen.

If the customer's payment is placed into a POG, an automatic advice is issued advising they no longer qualify. At the end of the POG, a customer's MOB may reduce to the standard rate or cancel.

Customers need to advise if they commence or recommence a qualifying activity during their POG as their payment can be restored.

For the relevant POG, see Cancellation and Period of Grace for Mobility Allowance (MOB).

See Restoration of Mobility Allowance (MOB), if MOB status is SUS or CAN and restoration action is required to restore MOB:

  • to a CUR status, or
  • to correct the SUS or CAN reason and date of event