Job Capacity Assessments
DIRECTLY CONNECTING YOU TO THE RIGHT SERVICES
Job Capacity Assessment, which will start on 1 July 2006, is a key part of the Government’s Welfare to Work package. It is part of the Government’s substantial investment in services that will help people find and keep paid employment. People will be referred more quickly for assessment and will be directly referred to the services they need to maximise their employment potential, where that is appropriate. Job Capacity Assessments will identify a person’s ability to work and any barriers they face to getting a job. Barriers to work can be varied and can include physical or psychological disability, alcoholism, drug addiction or homelessness.
Who can receive a Job Capacity Assessment?
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It is estimated that 372 000 people will receive an assessment in 2006-07. Typically, they will be claiming or receiving an income support payment and their work capacity cannot be readily identified at their interview with Centrelink. They will include:
Individuals may also be referred for a Job Capacity Assessment from an employment service provider, such as the Job Network, where they have barriers to work.
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Who will do Job Capacity Assessments?
About 80 per cent will be done by government providers: Centrelink, CRS Australia and Health Services Australia. The remaining will be done by non-government providers, chosen from a competitive tender process. All Job Capacity Assessment providers will have demonstrated a strong track record in undertaking work capacity
assessments.
How will assessments be done?
Job Capacity Assessments will be done face-to-face, with only limited exceptions (such as where a person is unable to travel). The assessor will have information on the person’s medical and income support history where appropriate.
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What happens after a Job Capacity Assessment?
Once a person’s capacity for work has been assessed, they can be directly referred to an employment or support service that meets their individual needs. Services include the Job Network, Disability Open Employment, Personal Support Program (PSP) or Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET).
Where an income support decision is required, the Job Capacity Assessor will send a report to Centrelink, which informs the income support decision. It is Centrelink, not the Job Capacity Assessor, that makes the income support determination.
How will assessments be consistent?
Assessor training and service guidelines will ensure that assessments are delivered consistently, no matter where they occur. Staff doing assessments will be skilled and experienced. Assessments must meet strict quality standards and will be closely monitored by the Department of Human Services
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Job Capacity Assessment process – Example where customer goes to Centrelink
Client goes to Centrelink
If a client applies for Disability Support Pension, or has identified barriers to work or a medical condition that prevents them from working, they will generally need a Job Capacity Assessment.
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Client receives Job Capacity Assessment
Assessment of work capacity and any barriers to work. Assessor identifies appropriate employment or support services; refers to client.
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Direct referral to employment or support service
Client is directly referred to the appropriate service provider. Additional short-term services (eg counselling) are available before referral to the Job Network. These are funded from a new Job Capacity Account.
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Fast results for clients
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What if a person disagrees with their assessment?
Job Capacity Assessments will be timely and of high quality. Nevertheless, where an
individual is not happy with the outcome, they can appeal to Centrelink any income support decision that has been informed by the Job Capacity Assessment. Service providers and individuals can query the referral decision with the Job Capacity Assessor in the first instance or with Centrelink’s FreeCall™ Customer Relations Line on 1800 050 004* or Centrelink’s TTY Customer Relations service on 1800 000 567 (only for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment and have access to use a TTY phone) and the complaint will be investigated.
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What has changed?
Generally, assessments will be provided within 10 working days of the referral being made. This is quicker than under the current system. Assessments will be comprehensive, taking into account any medical, work capacity or psychological barriers. Referral to services will occur at the time of Job Capacity Assessment. This early intervention and support will increase a person’s opportunity to find work that most suits their abilities.
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What is Job Capacity Account?
Job Capacity Assessment providers will also have access to a new stream of funding from the Australian Government called the Job Capacity Account. The Account will be available to fund short term services or support programs that prepare people to receive employment assistance from the Job Network.
– Estimated 372,000 Job Capacity Assessments in the first year with national coverage
– Over $100 million a year for Job Capacity Assessments, starting on 1 July 2006.
– Over $25 million a year for Job Capacity Account starting on 1 July 2006.
– Job Capacity Assessment providers will be 80% government and 20% private.
– Managed by the Department of Human Services
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Who do I contact for more information?
If you need more information on the assessment process, you can call 1300 136 526 or access the Job Capacity Assessment website at www.jca.gov.au
*calls to 1800 numbers are free of charge, but calls from pay phones
or mobile phones to 1800 numbers may be charged at a higher rate.
(sourced from the Department of Human Services)
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