An upcoming change to Centrelink has been met with an uproar among recipients, with several feeling apprehensive about the possible implications it could have.

Starting the 1st of July, the process of mutual obligations, tasks, activities, job interviews, and searches that a recipient is expected to complete in order to receive their welfare payments will be replaced with the points-based activation system (PBAS).

The way it works is welfare recipients must acquire a hundred points and do a minimum of five job searches each month to receive their payments.

A list of over 30 tasks and activities will be provided and each task translates to a corresponding points value.

While several have expressed their approval of the switch, seeing it as an end to the tedious mutual obligations system, there were concerns raised about how the implementation could lead to more problems for Centrelink users.

Some argued that the varied points value for different tasks could leave plenty of recipients struggling to reach the required total.

Programs such as the PaTH Internship and the National Work Experience Programme can earn a user up to 25 points per week, which is sufficient to reach the 100 points required per month.

But other activities like full-time Work for the Dole and the Adult Migrant English Program and Skills for Education and Employment are only worth 20 points a week, meaning those involved need to take on extra tasks to make up for their missing 20 points.

Image Credit: Daily Mail​

Other tasks include 5 points for every five hours of paid work, 20 points for making an appearance at a job interview, and 10 points for being a part of the Defence Force Reserves (on a minimum of one weekend per month).

Relocating for a job is the only task that’s worth 100 points in one go.

If a recipient has leftover points after reaching the monthly minimum of 100 points, they can be banked for the following month for up to half (50) of their points target.

Welfare recipients have been warned that they could have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met.

The Australian Unemployed Workers‘ Union (AUWU) touched on the revised system, saying:

“Using technology to ‘gamify’ starvation points (score them or lose your payment) is morally offensive to basic human decency,”

“This is not the design of a humane welfare system – this is the design of a digital workhouse set up to brutalise people in desperate economic need and push them out of the system and onto the street.”

Several also argued that some people may have limited ability and capacity to reach the requirements.

Edwina MacDonald, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service insisted that the elderly, disabled, and those living regionally should have their monthly requirements reduced.

“Some people, particularly those with limited digital literacy or poor internet access, will experience significant challenges with the online reporting required,” she said.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) suggested for the points target or minimum job search be adjusted depending on the individual’s personal circumstances.

This means the value of certain tasks may be increased or extra activities being created as an “activity bonus”.

The PBAS is coming in under the DESE’s new employment service Workforce Australia, which is replacing job active. Workforce Australia will include an online and an in-person service for users to complete and report their PBAS points.

Workforce Australia Online is for “job-ready” employment seekers on income support who are able to manage their search through the DESE’s programs.

The list of activities with corresponding points. Image Credit: Pedestrian.tv​

Recipients who need more support will be given an employment service provider who will offer more tailored services.

However, there is plenty of doubt over how these drastic changes will play out in less than a month before they come into effect.

“The AUWU advocacy team is receiving a large number of reports from members telling us the system has not been properly explained to them,” advocacy coordinator Raquel Araya stated.

“We are trying to get a handle on this system so that we can advise those reaching out, and we still do not have clarity from the department on how exactly the reporting will work, how problems will be handled or resolved and whether Centrelink has the appropriate capacity to deal with the increased call centre inquiry volume.”

The implementation came shortly after an Aussie Centrelink recipient took TikTok by storm, posting a video of himself running through the monthly requirements in under three minutes.

What are your thoughts on the PBAS? Share them with us in the comments!

 

[Jo Jo 61]

Hi....I am totally mortified at this "new system". I am 60yrs and do volunteer work for the dole, 15 hrs a week, so what the hell happens for me!! And I am sure a LOT of other people.
I don't get the pension until I am 67.

 

[Annette V]

Hi....I am totally mortified at this "new system". I am 60yrs and do volunteer work for the dole, 15 hrs a week, so what the hell happens for me!! And I am sure a LOT of other people.
I don't get the pension until I am 67.

 

[Annette V]

Hi Sue, I’m in the same situation as you so hopefully some of our members will have a positive answer…

 

[Ricci]

Surely this scheme is going to penalise people who live in the bush. Already they have limited opportunities for work. Can we expect to see mass exodus from the bush to the city in order for these folk to comply and jump through Centrelinks hoops?

 

[LadyD]

OMG! We will see much more crime and violence on the streets and in the neighbourhoods, beggars, neglected children and elderly. I can only see darkness for the future of Australia, and not just because of this latest bit of news either! So sad.

 

[activist.bw]

Major shift to Centrelink leaves hundreds of thousands panic-stricken – “This is morally offensive!” ​

An upcoming change to Centrelink has been met with an uproar among recipients, with several feeling apprehensive about the possible implications it could have.

Starting the 1st of July, the process of mutual obligations, tasks, activities, job interviews, and searches that a recipient is expected to complete in order to receive their welfare payments will be replaced with the points-based activation system (PBAS).

The way it works is welfare recipients must acquire a hundred points and do a minimum of five job searches each month to receive their payments.

A list of over 30 tasks and activities will be provided and each task translates to a corresponding points value.

While several have expressed their approval of the switch, seeing it as an end to the tedious mutual obligations system, there were concerns raised about how the implementation could lead to more problems for Centrelink users.

​

Some argued that the varied points value for different tasks could leave plenty of recipients struggling to reach the required total.

Programs such as the PaTH Internship and the National Work Experience Programme can earn a user up to 25 points per week, which is sufficient to reach the 100 points required per month.

But other activities like full-time Work for the Dole and the Adult Migrant English Program and Skills for Education and Employment are only worth 20 points a week, meaning those involved need to take on extra tasks to make up for their missing 20 points.

Image Credit: Daily Mail​

Other tasks include 5 points for every five hours of paid work, 20 points for making an appearance at a job interview, and 10 points for being a part of the Defence Force Reserves (on a minimum of one weekend per month).

Relocating for a job is the only task that’s worth 100 points in one go.

If a recipient has leftover points after reaching the monthly minimum of 100 points, they can be banked for the following month for up to half (50) of their points target.

Welfare recipients have been warned that they could have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met.

The Australian Unemployed Workers‘ Union (AUWU) touched on the revised system, saying:

“Using technology to ‘gamify’ starvation points (score them or lose your payment) is morally offensive to basic human decency,”

“This is not the design of a humane welfare system – this is the design of a digital workhouse set up to brutalise people in desperate economic need and push them out of the system and onto the street.”

Several also argued that some people may have limited ability and capacity to reach the requirements.

​

Edwina MacDonald, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service insisted that the elderly, disabled, and those living regionally should have their monthly requirements reduced.

“Some people, particularly those with limited digital literacy or poor internet access, will experience significant challenges with the online reporting required,” she said.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) suggested for the points target or minimum job search be adjusted depending on the individual’s personal circumstances.

This means the value of certain tasks may be increased or extra activities being created as an “activity bonus”.

The PBAS is coming in under the DESE’s new employment service Workforce Australia, which is replacing job active. Workforce Australia will include an online and an in-person service for users to complete and report their PBAS points.

Workforce Australia Online is for “job-ready” employment seekers on income support who are able to manage their search through the DESE’s programs.

The list of activities with corresponding points. Image Credit: Pedestrian.tv​

Recipients who need more support will be given an employment service provider who will offer more tailored services.

However, there is plenty of doubt over how these drastic changes will play out in less than a month before they come into effect.

“The AUWU advocacy team is receiving a large number of reports from members telling us the system has not been properly explained to them,” advocacy coordinator Raquel Araya stated.

“We are trying to get a handle on this system so that we can advise those reaching out, and we still do not have clarity from the department on how exactly the reporting will work, how problems will be handled or resolved and whether Centrelink has the appropriate capacity to deal with the increased call centre inquiry volume.”

​

The implementation came shortly after an Aussie Centrelink recipient took TikTok by storm, posting a video of himself running through the monthly requirements in under three minutes.

What are your thoughts on the PBAS? Share them with us in the comments!

Major shift to Centrelink leaves hundreds of thousands panic-stricken – “This is morally offensive!” ​

An upcoming change to Centrelink has been met with an uproar among recipients, with several feeling apprehensive about the possible implications it could have.

Starting the 1st of July, the process of mutual obligations, tasks, activities, job interviews, and searches that a recipient is expected to complete in order to receive their welfare payments will be replaced with the points-based activation system (PBAS).

The way it works is welfare recipients must acquire a hundred points and do a minimum of five job searches each month to receive their payments.

A list of over 30 tasks and activities will be provided and each task translates to a corresponding points value.

While several have expressed their approval of the switch, seeing it as an end to the tedious mutual obligations system, there were concerns raised about how the implementation could lead to more problems for Centrelink users.

​

Some argued that the varied points value for different tasks could leave plenty of recipients struggling to reach the required total.

Programs such as the PaTH Internship and the National Work Experience Programme can earn a user up to 25 points per week, which is sufficient to reach the 100 points required per month.

But other activities like full-time Work for the Dole and the Adult Migrant English Program and Skills for Education and Employment are only worth 20 points a week, meaning those involved need to take on extra tasks to make up for their missing 20 points.

Image Credit: Daily Mail​

Other tasks include 5 points for every five hours of paid work, 20 points for making an appearance at a job interview, and 10 points for being a part of the Defence Force Reserves (on a minimum of one weekend per month).

Relocating for a job is the only task that’s worth 100 points in one go.

If a recipient has leftover points after reaching the monthly minimum of 100 points, they can be banked for the following month for up to half (50) of their points target.

Welfare recipients have been warned that they could have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met.

The Australian Unemployed Workers‘ Union (AUWU) touched on the revised system, saying:

“Using technology to ‘gamify’ starvation points (score them or lose your payment) is morally offensive to basic human decency,”

“This is not the design of a humane welfare system – this is the design of a digital workhouse set up to brutalise people in desperate economic need and push them out of the system and onto the street.”

Several also argued that some people may have limited ability and capacity to reach the requirements.

​

Edwina MacDonald, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service insisted that the elderly, disabled, and those living regionally should have their monthly requirements reduced.

“Some people, particularly those with limited digital literacy or poor internet access, will experience significant challenges with the online reporting required,” she said.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) suggested for the points target or minimum job search be adjusted depending on the individual’s personal circumstances.

This means the value of certain tasks may be increased or extra activities being created as an “activity bonus”.

The PBAS is coming in under the DESE’s new employment service Workforce Australia, which is replacing job active. Workforce Australia will include an online and an in-person service for users to complete and report their PBAS points.

Workforce Australia Online is for “job-ready” employment seekers on income support who are able to manage their search through the DESE’s programs.

The list of activities with corresponding points. Image Credit: Pedestrian.tv​

Recipients who need more support will be given an employment service provider who will offer more tailored services.

However, there is plenty of doubt over how these drastic changes will play out in less than a month before they come into effect.

“The AUWU advocacy team is receiving a large number of reports from members telling us the system has not been properly explained to them,” advocacy coordinator Raquel Araya stated.

“We are trying to get a handle on this system so that we can advise those reaching out, and we still do not have clarity from the department on how exactly the reporting will work, how problems will be handled or resolved and whether Centrelink has the appropriate capacity to deal with the increased call centre inquiry volume.”

​

The implementation came shortly after an Aussie Centrelink recipient took TikTok by storm, posting a video of himself running through the monthly requirements in under three minutes.

What are your thoughts on the PBAS? Share them with us in the comments!

I have there points to make. Firstly if you work one hour a week you are considered not unemployed as far as statistics and secondly if unemployed how in the hell are you expected to be able to afford NBN? And thirdly if you NBN modem dies you can be without internet for weeks on end. This especially applies if you live out of the Big Smoke. You cannot make on line applications nor report your activities. Also there is not a bus past your house or suburb every day or hour. BOFFINS IN CANBERRA. BRAINS FROZEN DUE TO COLD WEATHER. As for their call centre capabilities check out my Facebook group. Centerlink call centre sux.

 

[rehandra]

Major shift to Centrelink leaves hundreds of thousands panic-stricken – “This is morally offensive!” ​

An upcoming change to Centrelink has been met with an uproar among recipients, with several feeling apprehensive about the possible implications it could have.

Starting the 1st of July, the process of mutual obligations, tasks, activities, job interviews, and searches that a recipient is expected to complete in order to receive their welfare payments will be replaced with the points-based activation system (PBAS).

The way it works is welfare recipients must acquire a hundred points and do a minimum of five job searches each month to receive their payments.

A list of over 30 tasks and activities will be provided and each task translates to a corresponding points value.

While several have expressed their approval of the switch, seeing it as an end to the tedious mutual obligations system, there were concerns raised about how the implementation could lead to more problems for Centrelink users.

​

Some argued that the varied points value for different tasks could leave plenty of recipients struggling to reach the required total.

Programs such as the PaTH Internship and the National Work Experience Programme can earn a user up to 25 points per week, which is sufficient to reach the 100 points required per month.

But other activities like full-time Work for the Dole and the Adult Migrant English Program and Skills for Education and Employment are only worth 20 points a week, meaning those involved need to take on extra tasks to make up for their missing 20 points.

Image Credit: Daily Mail​

Other tasks include 5 points for every five hours of paid work, 20 points for making an appearance at a job interview, and 10 points for being a part of the Defence Force Reserves (on a minimum of one weekend per month).

Relocating for a job is the only task that’s worth 100 points in one go.

If a recipient has leftover points after reaching the monthly minimum of 100 points, they can be banked for the following month for up to half (50) of their points target.

Welfare recipients have been warned that they could have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met.

The Australian Unemployed Workers‘ Union (AUWU) touched on the revised system, saying:

“Using technology to ‘gamify’ starvation points (score them or lose your payment) is morally offensive to basic human decency,”

“This is not the design of a humane welfare system – this is the design of a digital workhouse set up to brutalise people in desperate economic need and push them out of the system and onto the street.”

Several also argued that some people may have limited ability and capacity to reach the requirements.

​

Edwina MacDonald, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service insisted that the elderly, disabled, and those living regionally should have their monthly requirements reduced.

“Some people, particularly those with limited digital literacy or poor internet access, will experience significant challenges with the online reporting required,” she said.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) suggested for the points target or minimum job search be adjusted depending on the individual’s personal circumstances.

This means the value of certain tasks may be increased or extra activities being created as an “activity bonus”.

The PBAS is coming in under the DESE’s new employment service Workforce Australia, which is replacing job active. Workforce Australia will include an online and an in-person service for users to complete and report their PBAS points.

Workforce Australia Online is for “job-ready” employment seekers on income support who are able to manage their search through the DESE’s programs.

The list of activities with corresponding points. Image Credit: Pedestrian.tv​

Recipients who need more support will be given an employment service provider who will offer more tailored services.

However, there is plenty of doubt over how these drastic changes will play out in less than a month before they come into effect.

“The AUWU advocacy team is receiving a large number of reports from members telling us the system has not been properly explained to them,” advocacy coordinator Raquel Araya stated.

“We are trying to get a handle on this system so that we can advise those reaching out, and we still do not have clarity from the department on how exactly the reporting will work, how problems will be handled or resolved and whether Centrelink has the appropriate capacity to deal with the increased call centre inquiry volume.”

​

The implementation came shortly after an Aussie Centrelink recipient took TikTok by storm, posting a video of himself running through the monthly requirements in under three minutes.

What are your thoughts on the PBAS? Share them with us in the comments!

Every day where I live (very high unemployment rate...holiday area) there are advertisements in the hospitality industry..bosses crying out for staff...easier to get a job if I did not want to participate in "mutual obligation" to get government money. Something has to be done to get, fit healthy people in jobs.

 

[Maurie7]

Doesn't matter what's done the career dole bludgers that are bleeding the system will always find loopholes to continue on their merry way. "Welfare recipients have been warned that they COULD have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met" The COULD should be changed to WILL.

 

[rehandra]

Doesn't matter what's done the career dole bludgers that are bleeding the system will always find loopholes to continue on their merry way. "Welfare recipients have been warned that they COULD have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met" The COULD should be changed to WILL.

I have been on this earth long enough to see the evolvement of the "dole industry". Yes, there are many genuine people out there but go to any suburban shopping centre and see fit healthy young men wandering around some on their own, some with families. There has to be an incentive to work but many just do not have the work ethic sadly. There has to be something done to get people into jobs; makes me mad that we have to import workers. Politicians of all persuasions do not want to tackle the problem; just "tinker" at the edges. In Singapore, for instance, they find you a job if you dont have one....whether it is one you like or not.

 

[Groovy]

Some people on the dole are genuine, but I believe that the majority, the young, fit, lots of kids to bleed the system, not have a care in the world because money gets in their pocket without working for it, should be scrutinised and forced to earn their money.
40 years in Australia as migrants, never we lived on the dole, my husband always worked hard to provide for the family and many times had to relocate himself where there was work. So yes, I think that the system have to change for those who have no reason to be on the dole.
This is my opinion to those who are NOT genuine in getting the dole.

 

[Strawb]

Major shift to Centrelink leaves hundreds of thousands panic-stricken – “This is morally offensive!” ​

An upcoming change to Centrelink has been met with an uproar among recipients, with several feeling apprehensive about the possible implications it could have.

Starting the 1st of July, the process of mutual obligations, tasks, activities, job interviews, and searches that a recipient is expected to complete in order to receive their welfare payments will be replaced with the points-based activation system (PBAS).

The way it works is welfare recipients must acquire a hundred points and do a minimum of five job searches each month to receive their payments.

A list of over 30 tasks and activities will be provided and each task translates to a corresponding points value.

While several have expressed their approval of the switch, seeing it as an end to the tedious mutual obligations system, there were concerns raised about how the implementation could lead to more problems for Centrelink users.

​

Some argued that the varied points value for different tasks could leave plenty of recipients struggling to reach the required total.

Programs such as the PaTH Internship and the National Work Experience Programme can earn a user up to 25 points per week, which is sufficient to reach the 100 points required per month.

But other activities like full-time Work for the Dole and the Adult Migrant English Program and Skills for Education and Employment are only worth 20 points a week, meaning those involved need to take on extra tasks to make up for their missing 20 points.

Image Credit: Daily Mail​

Other tasks include 5 points for every five hours of paid work, 20 points for making an appearance at a job interview, and 10 points for being a part of the Defence Force Reserves (on a minimum of one weekend per month).

Relocating for a job is the only task that’s worth 100 points in one go.

If a recipient has leftover points after reaching the monthly minimum of 100 points, they can be banked for the following month for up to half (50) of their points target.

Welfare recipients have been warned that they could have their payments suspended or receive a demerit if their minimum points or job searches are not met.

The Australian Unemployed Workers‘ Union (AUWU) touched on the revised system, saying:

“Using technology to ‘gamify’ starvation points (score them or lose your payment) is morally offensive to basic human decency,”

“This is not the design of a humane welfare system – this is the design of a digital workhouse set up to brutalise people in desperate economic need and push them out of the system and onto the street.”

Several also argued that some people may have limited ability and capacity to reach the requirements.

​

Edwina MacDonald, the deputy chief executive of the Australian Council of Social Service insisted that the elderly, disabled, and those living regionally should have their monthly requirements reduced.

“Some people, particularly those with limited digital literacy or poor internet access, will experience significant challenges with the online reporting required,” she said.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) suggested for the points target or minimum job search be adjusted depending on the individual’s personal circumstances.

This means the value of certain tasks may be increased or extra activities being created as an “activity bonus”.

The PBAS is coming in under the DESE’s new employment service Workforce Australia, which is replacing job active. Workforce Australia will include an online and an in-person service for users to complete and report their PBAS points.

Workforce Australia Online is for “job-ready” employment seekers on income support who are able to manage their search through the DESE’s programs.

The list of activities with corresponding points. Image Credit: Pedestrian.tv​

Recipients who need more support will be given an employment service provider who will offer more tailored services.

However, there is plenty of doubt over how these drastic changes will play out in less than a month before they come into effect.

“The AUWU advocacy team is receiving a large number of reports from members telling us the system has not been properly explained to them,” advocacy coordinator Raquel Araya stated.

“We are trying to get a handle on this system so that we can advise those reaching out, and we still do not have clarity from the department on how exactly the reporting will work, how problems will be handled or resolved and whether Centrelink has the appropriate capacity to deal with the increased call centre inquiry volume.”

​

The implementation came shortly after an Aussie Centrelink recipient took TikTok by storm, posting a video of himself running through the monthly requirements in under three minutes.

What are your thoughts on the PBAS? Share them with us in the comments!

I am curious as to how I will fare with this change. I used to be on a disability pension, and I should still qualify for one, but I drive a school bus and care for my sick wife. Every holiday period I have issues reporting because I am not doing any work. I guess that I will have to go in and talk to someone.

 

[one2one]

what a silly system they have not really given this much though regard the older population who unfortunately are still not old enough to to get the aged pension due to the governments changing their eligibility to retire by either adding months or years I’m 66 in August and have to do a further 6 months before Im eligible to go on the pension. Be honest who wants to hire 65/66 year olds even though still relatively active but have s9me health issues , still have to look for work it degrading to think we are still subject to the same rules as those in much younger than us , even though I worked all my life and paid my taxes I feel so let down by the system I also do volunteer work , it appear this is not one of the jobs that would give you any point, So how many of us will stop volunteering as we get no extra benefit for our volunteer work or money to cover our petrol costs to get there. Shame on the government for disregarding the aged,it a disgrace our Government does to take into account that we have contributed many years of work and raising families. All we can hope for is it’s not as bad as it seems to read.

 

[Strawb]

what a silly system they have not really given this much though regard the older population who unfortunately are still not old enough to to get the aged pension due to the governments changing their eligibility to retire by either adding months or years I’m 66 in August and have to do a further 6 months before Im eligible to go on the pension. Be honest who wants to hire 65/66 year olds even though still relatively active but have s9me health issues , still have to look for work it degrading to think we are still subject to the same rules as those in much younger than us , even though I worked all my life and paid my taxes I feel so let down by the system I also do volunteer work , it appear this is not one of the jobs that would give you any point, So how many of us will stop volunteering as we get no extra benefit for our volunteer work or money to cover our petrol costs to get there. Shame on the government for disregarding the aged,it a disgrace our Government does to take into account that we have contributed many years of work and raising families. All we can hope for is it’s not as bad as it seems to read.

I can understand your plight. I am only 63 so I have another 4 years until I can retire.
I do have a part time job driving a school bus and I also care for my wife. I am thinking about trying to get back on the disability pension to avoid the "mutual obligation" bull.

 

[Brucemj]

Don't you still have to apply for 20 jobs a month? That would equal 100 points in the new system.

 

[Strawb]

Don't you still have to apply for 20 jobs a month? That would equal 100 points in the new system.

I do not need to apply for any jobs. I am a part time carer for my wife and I have apart time job. My mutual obligation is for 30 hours of work each fortnight but I don't do that during school holidays.