s 47E(d)
From:
DESE -s 47E(d)
Sent:
Tuesday, 7 June 2022 2:20 PM
To:
DESE - s 47E(d)
Subject:
FW: Follow up - PBAS matters [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Attachments:
Attachment A - job seekers fully meeting their requirements in NESM_011121.docx
From: RYAN,Melissa <xxxxxxx.xxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Sent: Thursday, 4 November 2021 6:19 PM
To: s 47E(d)
s 47E(d)
s 47E(d)
SMYTH,Nathan
<xxxxxx.xxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; s 47E(d)
O'REGAN,Carmel <xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>; TRAN,QUYEN <xxxxx.xxxx@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: Follow up ‐ PBAS matters [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
s 47E(d)
Thank you for your and the Minister’s time to finalise the Points Based Activation System (PBAS) framework.
Following the deep dives I am taking up the Chief of Staff’s offer to reach out if there were any scenarios that
created concerns with the point values we agreed. In this respect I would like to raise two aspects of the framework
for your consideration. Further in working through settling the brief and letter to the Prime Minister two other
issues have been identified which may warrant further consideration – tailoring Job Plans for individuals and re‐
engagement process for digital job seekers.
A. Circumstances where the points target will exceed 100 points
It was agreed that departmental programs (for example Work for the Dole or Employability Skills Training) and study
and training would have a value of 20 points per week for full‐time participation and the minimum job search
requirement would be five job searches per reporting period. A job seeker doing both will earn 105 points for that
reporting period (without any other activities attracting points).
s 47C, s 47E(d)
s 47E(d), s 47C
1
s 47E(d), s 47C
ill increase IT requirements for the build and may need manual
intervention until this can be completed.
B. Circumstances where some job seekers are considered to be fully meeting their requirements
An area we did not discuss in detail is the circumstances where some job seekers are considered to fully meet their
mutual obligation requirements through combinations of paid work, voluntary work and/or study. These
requirements are in relation to principal carer parents, job seekers with partial capacity to work requirements,
mature age job seekers and early school leavers and are outlined in detail ins 47C, s 47E(d)
It is proposed to retain the existing broad parameters to meet legislation and for policy components retain
consistency across employment services. As such, the job seeker cohorts as outlined ins 47C, s 47E(d) will fully meet
their points target for the reporting period when undertaking combinations of paid work, voluntary work and/or
study and will not be required to complete the minimum job search.
s 42
s 47E(d), s 47C
2
s 47E(d), s 47C
Given the nature of the matters I have raised, happy to set up a time to discuss further if you would prefer.
Thank you
Mel
Melissa Ryan
First Assistant Secretary
New Employment Services Model Program Implementation Division
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment
Phone s 47E(d)
| Mobile s 47E(d)
www.dese.gov.au
The Department of Education, Skills and Employment acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection
community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and Elders past, present and emerging.
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3
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Minutes Thursday 20 May 2021
Attendees
Executive – Nathan Smyth
TO:s 47E(d)
, Erin Rule, s 47E(d)
, Louise O’Rance
NESMPID: s 47E(d)
, Quyen Tran, Stuart Watson
PQDD: Robyn Shannon, s 47E(d) , Jodie Chamberlain, Heike Phillips
LMWPD: Benedikte Jensen, Carmel O’Regan, Bruce Cunningham, Alistair Beasley, s 47E(d)
EPAD: Kraig Lowes [for Janine Pitt], Tim Matthews, Samantha Robertson, Anne Rainger
WED: s 47E(d)
, Derek Stiller, Melinda Hatton, s 47E(d)
, Edwina Spanos
DSD: Nicky Antonius [for Kerryn Kovacevic], Philip Siu
STG – s 47E(d)
Communications – s 47E(d)
NSD – Nil
Internal Audit – Nil
Secretariat – s 47E(d)
Other Attendees: s 47E(d)
Apologies: Helen McCormack, Eve Wisowaty, Melissa Ryan, Fiona MacDonald, Belinda Catelli, Jodie Wearne,
Janine Pitt, Kerryn Kovacevic, Adam Shain, Nicolle Johnston, Angela Hope, s 47E(d)
Jennifer Hewitt.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
2. Points Based Activation System for NESM [in Fortress]
s 47E(d)
spoke to the paper, noting the discussions at EBMC.
Outcomes:
1. Joint ESC agreed to the operational policy for the Points Based Activation System (PBAS) for job seekers
in both Digital Services and Enhanced Services in the New Employment Services Model (NESM) as
outlined below:
a. In line with the New Employment Services Trial (NEST), job seekers wil be required to report on
the tasks and activities that they undertake to meet their points target
every month.
b. In line with the NEST, job seekers will have a maximum target of
100 points per month.
c. In line with the NEST, a provider and/or the Digital Services Contact Centre (DSCC) can adjust a
job seeker’s points target based on discussions with the job seeker and their knowledge of the
job seeker’s capacity and personal circumstances, such as caring, cultural or religious
responsibilities. Providers/DSCC can apply adjustments in five-point increments having regard to
the job seeker’s capacity and personal circumstances.
d. Agreed to a new requirement for PBAS in NESM that job seekers wil be required to undertake a
minimum of four job searches (20 points) each month as part of meeting their points target
noting that this is a decision of Government and the value of points is stil to be determined. This
wil be tested with the Minister shortly.
e. In line with the NEST, it is recommended that job seekers can bank a maximum of 50 per cent of
their monthly points target, where they have exceeded their points target for the current
reporting period. The banked points can only be used against the points target in the next
reporting period. Any points that cannot be used in the next reporting period wil expire. This will
be tested with the Minister shortly.
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2. Joint ESC noted the overarching principles for PBAS for job seekers in both Digital Services and Enhanced
Services in Attachment B, which will inform future policy decisions for NESM.
3. Joint ESC noted that future discussions wil be undertaken about including a reward element in PBAS for
positive job seeker behaviours, such as updating their career profile or linking with Seek or Linkedin and
recommended this be added to the overarching principles for PBAS.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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s 22(1)(a)(ii)
9. Review of ESC Forward Agenda
Joint ESC noted the Forward Agenda.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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FOR NOTING:
11. Revised NESM decisions [in Fortress]
12. Outcome:
Joint ESC noted the New Employment Services Model (new model) table of decisions at
Attachment A and
B
that includes subsequent changes made to some policy decisions.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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Thursday 24 June 2021
Attendees
Members: Robyn Shannon [Chair], s 47E(d) , Kerryn Kovacevic,s 47E(d)
, Miranda Lauman, s 47E(d)
&
Quyen Tran [for Melissa Ryan], Jennifer Hewitt. Secretariat: s 47E(d)
Other Attendees: Heike Phillips, Samantha Robertson, s 47E(d)
, s 47E(d)
Apologies: Nathan Smyth, Melissa Ryan, Janine Pitt.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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ESC agreed that job seekers will earn 10 points for 10 hours of paid
Paid work
work (rounded up).
2.
ESC agreed that job seekers in the NESM wil earn points when they attend an activity, awarded on a weekly
basis and following confirmation of at least one day of attendance at the activity.
•
ESC agreed to investigating requested an option be explored on whether a minimum proportion of
attendance be considered e.g. 50% and noted that this position may need to be reviewed when the
issue of mandatory participation and interaction with the Job Plan and TCF is considered.
3.
ESC agreed to an alternative option that job seekers with partial capacity requirements will receive an
automatic upfront credit that reduces their overall points target with adjusted activity values to reflect part-
time requirements.
4.
ESC requested that out of session comments be sent to Kellie on the overarching principles for the allocation
of points for tasks and activities at Attachment B, which will guide the decision-making process to ensure
consistency when attributing points for future tasks and activities.
ESC agreed in principle to Attachment B,
subject to nil comments by midday Monday 28 June 2021.
5.
ESC noted that the application of the Targeted Compliance Framework and the interaction of the activation
framework and the IT system is out of scope for this paper and will be addressed in a future ESC paper.
6.
ESC noted that consideration of when a job seeker can ful y meet their requirements, for example, through
completing a combination of activities such as paid work and study, wil be considered, and presented to ESC in
a future paper.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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Thursday 5 August 2021
Attendees
Members: Miranda Lauman [s 47E(d)
, Melissa Ryan, s 47E(d)
Robyn Shannon, Benedikte Jensen,
s 47E(d)
[for Jennifer Hewitt]. Secretariat: s 47E(d)
Other Attendees: Heike Phillips, s 47E(d)
, Jodie Wearne,
s 47E(d)
Quyen Tran, Fiona MacDonald, s 47E(d)
,
s 47E(d)
Apologies: Nathan Smyth, Kerryn Kovacevic, Jennifer Hewitt.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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6. PBAS – labour market credits [in Fortress]
This item will be circulated out of session in Fortress for agreement.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Circulated OUT OF SESSION - PBAS – labour market credits [in Fortress]
The paper was circulated on Thursday 5 August for response by 9am Monday 9 August.
Miranda Lauman provided approval and comments by email.
s 47E(d)
provided comments by email, approving all recommendations except Option 3 (proximity to strong
labour markets).
A.
ESC noted out of session the analysis undertaken by the Deputy National Skills Commission Division to
determine the labour market disadvantage in each Employment Region at Attachment A.
B.
ESC noted out of session that vacancy data was not included in the analysis as the geographical structure on
which those data are based does not line up wel with Employment Regions.
C.
ESC endorsed out of session the decisions made at EBMC on Monday 2 August 2021 for applying an automatic
labour market credit to job seekers in Digital Services and Enhanced Services in the New Employment Service
Model that wil reduce their points target [Attachment B and outlined below] and the alternative
recommendations for points 3 and 5 that were agreed by EBMC.
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1.
ESC agreed out of session that an automatic labour market credit be applied to job seekers in Digital
Services and Enhanced Services in the New Employment Services Model (NESM) at the Employment Region
(ER) level.
2.
ESC agreed out of session that a labour market credit will be applied to all job seekers within an ER that
have a labour market rating of below average or poor.
3.
ESC agreed out of session to an alternative approach that all ERs with below average or poor labour
market conditions will receive a labour market credit regardless of their proximity to stronger labour
markets.
4.
ESC agreed out of session that the labour market credit applied to ERs with a labour market rating of below
average or poor will be 20 points.
5.
ESC agreed out of session to an alternative approach that the minimum job search requirement remains at
four job searches per reporting period for job seekers that receive a labour market credit.
6.
ESC agreed out of session that the labour market ratings for the ERs be reviewed every six months to
ensure that the ratings maintain accuracy and reflect any changes in labour market conditions.
∞
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Thursday 12 August 2021
Attendees
Members: Miranda Lauman [Chair], Nathan Smyth,s 47E(d)
, Melissa Ryan, s 47E(d)
Robyn Shannon,
Benedikte Jensen. Secretariat s 47E(d)
Other Attendees: Heike Phillips, s 47E(d)
, Susan Pietrukowski,s 47E(d)
Louise O’Rance, s 47E(d)
Apologies: Kerryn Kovacevic, Jennifer Hewitt.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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5. Changes to the Job Plan in NESM
Melissa Ryan introduced the paper, thanking contributions from Legals and LMPB.
s 47E(d)
led the committee through the recommendations.
Outcomes:
a. ESC agreed to streamlined Job Plan arrangements for all job seekers in NESM who will be subject to PBAS
containing only compulsory requirements as below:
(i)
ESC agreed to the fol owing default, non-removable requirements: points-based requirement, accept and
retain suitable paid work, action job referrals (enhanced only), attend job interviews, and attend any
appointments notified as compulsory.
(ii)
ESC agreed to the fol owing default, removable requirements: accept personal responsibility to self-
manage and accurately record participation efforts in PBAS; and maintain an up-to-date Career Profile each
six months;
ESC noted a future paper on activities at the NESM mandatory activation points would address
a new default requirement for digital job seekers to self-refer to compulsory activities (e.g. Employability
Skills Training (EST)).
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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Minutes Thursday 19 August 2021
Attendees
Executive: Nathan Smyth
TO: s 47E(d) , Erin Rule, Louise O’Rance, s 47E(d)
for s 47E(d)
NESMPID: Melissa Ryan, Quyen Tran, s 47E(d)
, Fiona MacDonald, Stuart Watson
PQDD: Robyn Shannon, Jodie Chamberlain, Heike Phillips,s 47E(d)
LMWPD: Benedikte Jensen, Carmel O’Regan, Alistair Beasley, s 47E(d)
EPAD: Jodie Wearne, Kraig Lowes, Tim Matthews, s 47E(d)
[for Samantha Robertson], Belinda Catelli
WED: s 47E(d)
Derek Stiller, s 47E(d) , Janet Lui, Edwina Spanos, s 47E(d)
DSD: Nicol e Johnston
STG – s 47E(d)
Communications – Dijanna Ratajkoski
Internal Audit – s 47E(d) [for Jennifer Hewitt]
Secretariat – s 47E(d)
Other Attendees: s 47E(d)
s 47E(d)
Apologies s
, Bruce Cunningham, Miranda Lauman, Samantha Robertson,
Helen McCo4rmack, Eve Wisowaty, Kerryn Kovacevic, Philip Siu, Nicky Antonius, s 47E(d)
, Jennifer Hewitt.
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
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5. Treatment of Personal Circumstances in the PBAS [via Fortress]
s 47E(d)
gave a recap of the recent decisions on PBAS and noted the wide amount of consultation.
s 47E(d)
walked the committee through the recommendations in this paper.
Joint ESC discussed the sensitivities around the age groups of 55 – 59 years and 60+ years.
Outcomes:
a. Joint ESC agreed that an automatic upfront participant credit be applied to job seekers with:
1. partial capacity to work requirements of 15-29 hours per week;
2. over 60 years of age; and
3. principal carer parents whose youngest child is between 6-15 years of age.
b. Joint ESC agreed that the value of the automatic upfront participant credit to be applied will be 40 points
for al job seekers that wil receive the credit.
c. Joint ESC agreed that job seekers wil be considered to be ful y meeting their mutual obligations
requirements in the circumstances outlined in Attachment A and would not be required to complete the
minimum job search.
d. Joint ESC noted that Enhanced Services providers and the Digital Services Contact Centre (DSCC) have
the discretion to adjust the points target where a job seeker requires additional tailoring having regard to
the job seeker’s capacity and personal circumstances.
e. Joint ESC noted that there are circumstances where a job seeker with a personal circumstances credit
could be earning points above their specified points target. The extra effort wil be recognised and these
job seekers can bank these points and use them against the points target in the next reporting period.
f. Joint ESC noted that the delivery of this functionality in the IT system is critical to the delivery of NESM
on 1 July 2022 as the requirements are directly related to the Social Security Law.
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