ES2015-2020 Q and As Master - docs.jobs.gov.au Web viewThe VTEC model is designed to complement the...

Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements

Question and Answers

1. General Questions

1.1. Is this the same presentation as the one that will be used around the country?

Yes. The information session will also be available on the Employment Services Purchasing website once all Information Sessions are done.

1.2. Who is going to take responsibility for marketing the employment services network? Will there be a marketing campaign?

With the introduction of new arrangements for employment services from July 2015, a communication strategy will be developed by the Department of Employment and implemented to support job seekers, employers, and providers. Further information will be provided in the early part of 2015.

1.3. When will the Draft Deed be available? What type of software form will be used for Tender responses? What is the date for the release of the Request for Tender?

The Draft Deed is expected to be available in the week ending 15 August 2014. Smart Forms will be used for Tender responses. It is expected that the Request for Tender will be released in late September.

1.4. It is understood that tender commitments will be included as part of the Deed. Is there scope for an Employment Provider to change its strategies if they are found by the provider not to be working well?

It is important to recognise that innovative strategies as proposed by tender respondents could be a key point of difference between one respondent and others. As such, the Department would need to consider whether any proposed variation or change would have materially changed the relative ranking of that tenderer’s response. While the Department is aware that labour markets will vary over time, and recognises that it is a five year Deed, approval of any request to vary what was proposed in a tender response would need careful consideration on a case by case basis. Tender respondents should not propose a service offering where they believe there is a risk of them wanting to rescind elements within a short time.

1.5. There is a focus on larger organisations and subcontracting arrangements, taking out specialists (i.e. Indigenous) and offering a ‘one size fits all’ approach. How do you see the dynamics play out by requesting for a tailored approach on one hand and a one size fits all in another?

The Department does not expect a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the delivery of services. Employment Providers will be required to provide services to all job seekers across the whole Employment Region and, in their tender submissions, will be required to document their approach to the delivery of services including their arrangements for providing services for different cohorts of job seekers. In bidding to deliver business, Tenderers will be required to demonstrate their approach to service delivery at the

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organisational level, and will also need to describe specific strategies for each Employment Region for which they are bidding. Sections 1.2, 7.2.4 and 7.10.4 of the Exposure Draft provide further information.

The strategies outlined in a successful Tenderer’s submission will be reflected in their Service Guarantee.

1.6. Are there any advantages for Indigenous Organisations to tender as emphasised in the Forrest Review that there should be greater encouragement for ATSI business.

The Employment Services 2015-2020 purchasing will be conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules issued by the Minister for Finance under Section 101(1) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act).

Employment Providers will be required to meet job outcomes targets for Indigenous job seekers and have their own Indigenous Employment Stagey. The Indigenous Opportunities Policy may apply to any business awarded to Tenderers that is valued over $5 million that involves activity in a region with a significant Indigenous population.

1.7. With the Welfare Reform and Forrest Reviews, are there any implications on how the tender process will go?

While the Department is mindful of the Review of Australia’s Welfare System (welfare reform) and the Review of Indigenous Training and employment programmes (the Forrest Review), these are matters for the Government. The Department will consider any feedback received on the Exposure Draft.

1.8. Interested in the relationship with Remote Jobs and Communities Programme (RJCP), in the employment services context, as there is high level of population mobility and proximity of locations. How will the two programmes interact and impact payment flows, projects and outcomes?

The Department recognises that, particularly in regional and remote Australia, job seekers will move from Remote Regions to Employment Regions (and vice versa), and the management of exiting and returning job seekers will be outlined in the relevant guidelines. Employment Services Providers will be expected to work collaboratively with RJCP providers.

1.9. Have access and equity issues been looked at for the use of interpreters?

Arrangements similar to those that currently apply for Job Services Australia will apply. That is, a Provider must use an interpreter for contact with job seekers in the following circumstances:

Where Centrelink has indicated that an interpreter is required; When a job seeker requests an interpreter; or Where a JSA provider assesses that an interpreter is necessary to communicate effectively with a job

seeker.

1.10. Can people such as Pacific Islanders who are not on allowance volunteer for service?

As outlined at section 2.6 of the Exposure Draft, Job Seekers will be eligible to volunteer for services if they are:

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on income support and do not have compulsory Mutual Obligation requirements (for example Parenting Payment recipients with a youngest child aged under six, Carer Payment recipients, Age Pensioners or Disability Support Pension recipients without participation requirements)

aged 15-24 years (subject to the passage of legislation raising the qualifying age for Newstart to 25 years) and not on income support

older than 24 (subject to the passage of legislation, otherwise older than 21) who are not on any type of income support and who are not:o full time studentso working in paid employment for 15 hours or more per week and not on income supporto overseas visitors on working holiday visas or overseas students studying in Australiao prohibited by law from working in Australia

1.11. Will the model be established in RJCP regions?

No.

1.12. When will indicative Job Seeker numbers for each Employment Region be released?

Consistent with previous tenders appropriate labour market information will be released with the RFT.

1.13. Regarding the payment of $5,580 per participant – is this figure inclusive of GST?

The Exposure Draft Disclaimer (page vi) states “In the Exposure Draft, unless the contrary intention appears: “all payment amounts are GST inclusive”

1.14. I am interested in gaining a better understanding of the accountability framework that is being proposed for the job service providers. It seems that the job service providers have considerable power to decide if a job seeker’s reason for non-attendance is valid and considerable power to govern how/if funds are spent. How accountable are these providers? What measures are in place to ensure ethical conduct?

In regards to decisions made surrounding non-attendance at provider appointments, as per Section 2.14.3 of the 2015-2020 Employment Services Exposure Draft which contains information about the Job Seeker Compliance Framework, it is proposed that provider responsibility for managing non-attendance at provider appointments will increase as of 1 July 2015. While it is still subject to legislative change, it is proposed that where a job seeker fails to attend an appointment, providers will need to determine whether the job seeker had a Reasonable Excuse, and this decision will be based on legislation and guidelines made available to providers. Providers will continue to retain the ability to utilise discretion under the proposed changes, but where they determine it appropriate, they will be able to make determinations that lead to loss of payment for the job seeker. The job seeker will lose money for the period from and including the day of the initial missed appointment until the day before they actually attend a Reconnection appointment. Training and guidelines will be available to providers prior to any implementation phases to ensure that providers understand their new responsibilities and the implications of Reasonable Excuse determinations.

In response to: ‘How accountable are these providers? What measures are in place to ensure ethical conduct?’

The performance, accountability and integrity of the delivery of Employment Services providers is managed through a range of programme assurance activities including:

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a comprehensive risk-based approach to contract management, with greater effort focused on higher risk providers and sites

visiting providers’ sites, with frequency based on their risk profile an information technology system that provides extensive operational and management data for

both providers and the department desk top monitoring to analyse trends and variations in data, with follow up action with providers

as required.Where issues are found of non-compliance the department’s response may include: educating providers on the correct processes or policies; performance managing a provider, such as imposing additional financial or performance reporting requirements; and reducing business share or closing sites.

1.15. We are seeking clarification on the implications of the Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 on the current Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) contract. Will there be a change in the hours of delivery required under the SEE program?

SEE is managed by the Department of Industry. The Department of Industry advises that there is unlikely to be a need for changes to the SEE contract with regard to training hours as a result of the proposed 2015 Employment Services model. However SEE providers will need to consider whether the training hours offered best meet the needs of their job seeker clients.

1.16. We are drafting our own submission in response to the exposure draft and are seeking some further information from the Department of Employment to assist us with this.The Forrest review found that only a small fraction - some 8% - of the total Employment Services budget is at risk if providers do not retain job seekers in work for 26 weeks (pg 142 see quote below).The point is made that if only 8% of a provider's revenue is on a 26 week outcome payment, it is logical that the vast bulk of their efforts and resources will follow where the bulk of their revenue is found - in services not long-term employment outcomes.Whilst there has been an increase adjustment to the outcome payments under the proposed model, it appears to us that there has been little change to a provider's total revenue at risk on a 26 week outcome.Can you please advise what percentage of the total $5.1B appropriation is designated to be spent on a 26 week outcome payment under the proposed 2015-2020 Employment Services programme?Given the tight timeframe for submitting a response we would appreciate getting a response to this as soon as possible. Forrest Review pg 142 ‘While governments claim JSA funding is outcome based, only 8% of it is at risk if providers do not retain job seekers in work for 26 weeks. Compare this to a VTEC service, where 100% of their funding is at risk if 26-week outcomes are not achieved. It’s pretty clear who will focus on getting and keeping people in long-term jobs’.

The claim that only 8% of JSA funding is at risk if providers do not retain job seekers in work for 26 weeks does not accurately reflect the new Employment Services model. The 8% figure is a proportion of the total employment services funding envelope which includes a number of funding elements such as funding for Work for the Dole Coordinators, Work for the Dole places, Wage Subsidies and Employment Fund. None of these items represent funding paid to Employment Service Providers. A more accurate representation of the monies made available to Employment Service Providers under the new

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Employment Service model is that over 55% of their potential revenue is based on achieving employment outcomes. In terms of their outcome payments, over 45% is at risk if providers do not retain job seekers in work for 26 weeks.

The operations of VTEC and employment services are fundamentally different. The VTEC model is designed to complement the work done through Employment Services, not replicate them. Comparing the work of Employment Providers under the 2015 model to VTECs does not recognise the full extent of the roles of Employment Providers. In addition to placing job seekers into work, Employment Service Providers will be required to monitor and report on job seeker compliance, ensure job seekers meet their Mutual Obligation, oversight job seekers’ activation and participation in Work for the Dole and manage the job seeker when there is not a job currently available.

1.17. How will Employment Providers services work with the NDIS? Can an Employment Provider offer fee for service support to NDIS clients?

There are no provisions or requirements for employment service providers to work with the NDIS. Subject to providers meeting their contractual obligations to deliver services under the 2015 employment service model, they will be free to enter into arrangements with organisations to deliver other services including NDIS services.

1.18. If the budget measures relating to this contract do not get up, how will this affect the tender process?

Actions should relevant budget measures legislation not be passed are matters for the Government. However, should such a situation arise, it is not expected that the tender process would be significantly affected.

1.19. The Exposure Draft detailed some elements are subject to changes in legislation, is there an indicative timeframe of when legislative changes will occur? And how will it impact if the changes do not pass through parliament?

The timeframe for legislation and related considerations are matters for Government.

1.20. Has a full costing of the programmes been made? Has there been an increase in forward estimates?

Employment Services 2015 is a $5.1 billion investment over the period 2015-16 to 2017-18.

1.21. We are writing to seek clarity on the “passage of legislation” that is mentioned in the Exposure Draft.Can you please confirm what is this piece of legislation?Can you please confirm that is the timing of this legislation being presented to the appropriate levels of parliament?Reference: Section 2.5.1 Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30, Paragraph 1, line 1: “From 1 January 2015 (subject to the passage of legislation)”

1. As indicated in question 201 on the Employment Services Purchasing Website (employment.gov.au/employment-services-procurement-information) ‘The majority of the Exposure Draft doesn’t require the passage of legislation. Legislation is required to enact the income support

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changes under the “Stronger participation incentives for job seekers under 30” (Exposure Draft reference – Section 2.5.1) and the “stronger compliance arrangements for job seekers” measures. The Exposure Draft describes the employment servicing arrangements that will be put in place and these servicing arrangements are not reliant on the passage of legislation for the income support measures associated with the “Stronger participation incentives for job seekers under 30.

Current job seeker compliance framework arrangements will operate in the event of any delays in the passage of legislation relating to the “stronger compliance arrangements for job seekers” measures’.

2. The timeframe for legislation and related considerations are matters for Government.

1.22. I would like to ask whether we can load our Submission to the Exposure Draft for Employment services 2015-2020 purchasing arrangements on our web site or do we have to wait a period of time?

Organisations may use their submission to the Employment Services 2015-2020 Exposure Draft as they see fit.

1.23. When is the Communication protocol likely to be in place until?The documents say the Request for tender is expected to be released in late September. When will tenders close? How many weeks after the request for tender is released will tenders close? And so when would we expect the communication protocol to be in place until - ? late November for example?

The Communication Protocol will be in place until the outcomes of the Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing arrangements have been announced.

As stated in question and answer 8.1 on the Employment Services webpage, ‘We envisage releasing the Request for Tender in late September and for it to close approximately 6 weeks later. It will be open longer than the Government’s usual requirement of 25 calendar days, to allow more time for high quality tenders. The intention would be finalise the tender evaluation and announce decisions in late March or early April to allow time for successful providers to secure offices and staff and before Employment Services commence on 1 July 2015’.

1.24. I am an ex Commonwealth employee who has recently started with an employment agency who will be tendering for the Employment Services 2015-2020 tender. If I assist with the tender preparation will this jeopardise the organisations chances of being successful in the tender? Can you please advise?

Section 6.4.13 of the Exposure Draft is not restricted by the period of time since a person ceased to be a Commonwealth employee.

As such, your assistance to a tendering organisation will be “improper assistance” under section 6.4.13 if the tendering organisation, when preparing its tender, uses information that you obtained, relevantly:

through your employment with the Commonwealth which, at the time you ceased to be a Commonwealth employee, you were under a duty not to disclose (noting that this may also be a breach of the Crimes Act 1914)

in breach of an obligation of confidentiality or fidelity.

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If the tendering organisation prepares its tender using this kind of information, the Department may exclude the tender (see Exposure Draft, section 7.12.2, Stage 2 – Eligibility to Tender).

The Department is unable to provide advice on whether you should assist the tendering organisation in preparing its tender submission. If the tendering organisation decides to use your services to prepare the tender, it will need to manage any risks, including by making a declaration of a potential conflict of interest when submitting its tender (see Exposure Draft, section 6.4.11) and/or by making a declaration in the Tenderer’s Declaration that it has not prepared its tender with improper assistance contrary to section 6.4.13.

1.25. Throughout the Employment Services Purchasing Exposure Draft there is reference to Small employers, Medium employers and Large Employers. Can you please clarify, in the context of this tender, the definition of what constitutes a small employer, medium employer and large employer?

The definitions of a small, medium and large employer align with those used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in their Australian Industry Publication (8155.0).

Businesses are categorised as: large businesses, with employment of 200 or more persons medium businesses, with employment of 20 to less than 200 persons small businesses, with employment of less than 20 persons (including non-employing businesses).

2. Statement of Requirements - Employment Provider Services

2.1. Some of the requirements in the Exposure Draft are ‘subject to legislation’ – is there a Plan B if legislation isn’t passed?

The majority of the Exposure Draft doesn’t require the passage of legislation. Legislation is required to enact the income support changes under the “Stronger participation incentives for job seekers under 30” (Exposure Draft reference – Section 2.5.1) and the “stronger compliance arrangements for job seekers” measures. The Exposure Draft describes the employment servicing arrangements that will be put in place and these servicing arrangements are not reliant on the passage of legislation for the income support measures associated with the “Stronger participation incentives for job seekers under 30”.

Current job seeker compliance framework arrangements will operate in the event of any delays in the passage of legislation relating to the “stronger compliance arrangements for job seekers” measures.

2.2. In regards to conducting JSCIs in the first 6 months - providers currently experience incorrect assessments of streams now from DHS - what will DHS be putting in place to ensure a backlog of JSCIs does not occur?

The Department of Employment will establish service delivery arrangements with Department of Human Services which will ensure that job seekers who require a JSCI reassessment will receive this reassessment within agreed timeframes.

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When conducting an initial assessment the Department of Human Services will encourage all job seekers to fully disclose their circumstances to ensure they receive the most appropriate employment services and support. Job seekers will have access to interpreter services where appropriate and can be accompanied by a nominee, including a family member, advocate, social worker or counsellor for support when the JSCI is conducted. The Department of Employment currently monitors all JSCI reassessments conducted within 30 days from the initial assessment - this data shows that only a small percentage of these reassessments result in a change of Stream.

Information relating to the Job Seeker Classification Instrument is contained at section 2.8 of the Exposure Draft.

2.3. Seeking clarification on Employment Fund expenditure for training - the way it is that providers will not be able to purchase non-vocational training out of the Employment Fund i.e. for things like self-esteem or anger management training. Is this correct?

The provisions are not that prescriptive to say that Employment Providers cannot purchase non-vocational assistance through the Employment Fund if that is specifically required to assist a job seeker - particularly in Stream C - become work ready. However there is a clear expectation that training will be individually targeted and relate to employment outcomes. Expenditure for non-vocational assistance will be monitored particularly where outcomes are not being achieved. For further information, refer to section 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft.

2.4. The Exposure Draft talks about education outcomes for 15-17 year olds. Does this mean there will be no education outcomes for people over the age of 17?

Correct. For further information, refer to sections 2.15.4 and 2.15.6 of the Exposure Draft.

2.5. The Department is talking about reduction in evidence from employers. A slide in the presentation talks about verifying outcomes through earning declarations to Centrelink 'where possible'. What do you mean by 'where possible'?

Employment Providers will not be required to collect documentary evidence for employment-related Job Seeker Outcome claims where the data from the Department of Human Services confirms a Job Seeker has met their minimum working hour requirements, or ceased or reduced their rate of income support. For further information, refer to section 2.15.5 of the Exposure Draft.

2.6. So we won't be expected to provide evidence from the employer?

Noting that Guidelines are under development, some claims will need to be supported by evidentiary requirements to be set out in the Documentary Evidence for Claims for Payment Guidelines. For further information, refer to section 2.15.5 of the Exposure Draft.

2.7. There are exclusions from the Employment Fund including reverse marketing and transportation costs for providers using their own vehicles. Is this something that the Department will be offsetting the costs of somewhere else in the contract?

Section 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft describes the expenses for which reimbursement may be sought through the Employment Fund, including post placement support, as well as items which should not be funded through the Employment Fund.

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Where items are not eligible for reimbursement through the Employment Fund, it is the Department’s expectation that Providers would be using their own sources of funds through the administration or projected outcome fees to cover the costs of these activities where they form part of the Providers’ services.

2.8. So if a provider wants to conduct reverse marketing to assist a job seeker obtain employment or provide mentoring they will need to pay for it out of their own funds?

Yes, where mentoring outside post-placement support or reverse marketing form part of the Employment Provider’s service model.

2.9. There seems to be a change with training and the need for it to relate specifically to employment. Is that going to be based on skills shortages in the region or having it linked to an employer already? What does it mean to say that training will need to be based on an employment outcome?

There is a clear expectation training will be targeted towards gaining employment and lead to an employment outcome. There is some discretion for the Employment Provider but if the Provider was spending a high amount of their Employment Fund on training without achieving employment outcomes, this would be considered in performance discussions. It should be noted that in the Mutual Obligation Phase, only certain training will meet a job seeker’s mutual obligation requirement (for example, part-time study leading to a certificate III in a skills in demand area, and Skills for Education and Employment training) with hours requirements dependent on the age/circumstances of the job seeker. For further information refer to Table 2.4 of the Exposure Draft.

2.10. Will there be education outcome payments for people over 17?

For further information, refer to sections 2.15.5 and 2.15.6 of the Exposure Draft.

2.11. Does that mean that if a Job Seeker over 17 decides to move to education, the Employment Provider will not receive any fee?

Yes. However a Job Seeker may undertake part time education and still be serviced by the Employment Provider. Further, if a Job Seeker, while being serviced by an Employment Provider undertakes education that leads to them becoming employed, the Employment Provider may be eligible to receive an employment outcome.

2.12. If a Stream A Job Seeker gets an employment outcome before they have been with the Employment Provider for three months, will the Employment Provider still receive the $300 Employment Fund payment?

Employment Providers will be eligible to begin to claim for an Outcome Payment for a Stream A Job Seeker only after the Job Seeker has been unemployed for three months, therefore this scenario will not apply. Further information can be found in section 2.15.3 of the Exposure Draft.

2.13. If an Employment Provider is also a major employer and places Job Seekers in their organisation, can they receive the wage subsidy? If so, will they be able to claim outcomes and why?

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Wage subsidies are not allowed in a provider’s own organisation. However, Employment Service Providers are able to claim outcomes for placements made within their own-organisation provided that all the requirements for an outcome are met, including that the job seeker cease or significantly reduce their income support payments, or work the requisite number of employment hours over the outcome period. See Clause 125 and related Definitions for Full and Partial Outcome of the draft Deed.

Please note this answer has changed slightly.

2.14. Can Employment Providers claim outcomes for FOE?

Yes.

2.15. With reducing the numbers of Streams, how will providers know which Stream to place a Job Seeker?

Section 2.17.2 of the Exposure Draft outlines the Job Seeker specific transition arrangements to the new model. Within this section ‘Table 2.9: Transition of Job Seekers - Employment Services’ shows where Job Seekers in each phase of the current Job Services Australia model will transition to in the new Employment Services 2015 model.

In line with Table 2.9 the Department’s IT system will automatically transfer Job Seekers to their new service level at transition.

2.16. Will Job Seekers be more correctly assessed in the future (noting that currently JSAs are experiencing “wrongly assessed Job Seekers”). Many Job Seekers won’t disclose information when being assessed over the phone, so clients tend to be under-assessed. Even when additional barriers are identified, the Stream doesn’t change.

The Job Seeker’s Service Stream will be determined by using the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI) and, where needed, an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt). The JSCI is based on a statistical model that assesses a Job Seeker’s relative level of difficulty in getting a job in the relevant labour market and likelihood of becoming or remaining long term unemployed. Further information on how a Job Seekers level of service is determined can be found in section 2.8 of the Exposure Draft.

Job Seekers will be encouraged to fully disclose their circumstances to ensure they receive the most appropriate employment services and support. Job Seekers will have access to interpreter services where appropriate and can be accompanied by a nominee, including a family member, advocate, social worker or counsellor for support when the JSCI is conducted.

The Department currently monitors all JSCI reassessments conducted within 30 days from the initial assessment - this data shows that only a small percentage of these reassessments result in a change of Stream.

2.17. Discussion about provider decision in compliance – with the stronger compliance measures, how will providers be able to make decisions about compliance?

Providers will have the flexibility to determine whether nonattendance at an appointment should lead to a payment suspension or a financial penalty. Providers will have the discretion to decide on appropriate action for the Job Seekers.

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2.18. The new Exposure Draft makes reference that Job Seekers will be required to complete 40 Job Searches a month not applications. How will that work or be monitored?

The government expects Job Seekers to be serious about their job search. The term “Job Searches” refers to the job seeker actively contacting a potential employer to apply for a job. This includes applying for jobs by phone or in person, submitting a written application, or attending a job interview. Job vacancies do not need to have been publically advertised for a job seeker’s application to count as a job search contact.

The Department will provide further information on monitoring arrangement in guidelines.

2.19. Table 2.11 includes information around Employment Fund Stream Payments together with the new payments, for example $50 under Stream A. My question is will we receive two payments together or just a singular payment?

Table 2.11 provides the Transition Credits that will apply to each existing Job Seeker who will transition into the new Employment Services 2015 Model. The amounts listed in Table 2.11 are mutually exclusive. Each transitioned Job Seeker will attract the Transition Credit Amount listed in Table 2.11 once depending on whether they transition into general servicing (in which case, the Credit Amount for Stream A, Stream B or Stream C will apply) OR into the Mutual Obligation Phase (in which case, the Credit Amount for Stream A – Mutual Obligation, Stream B – Mutual Obligation or Stream C – Mutual Obligation will apply). How each Job Seeker will transition is outlined in Table 2.9.

2.20. In relation to the compulsory transfers after 24 to 36 months. How will these operate in view of performance? For example, will a 5 star provider lose a Job seeker to say a 3 star provider?

Section 2.7.5 of the Exposure Draft of the RFT states, ‘Job Seekers who remain unemployed after two years for Stream A, or three years for Streams B and C, with the one Employment Provider, will usually be transferred, along with their business share, to another Employment Provider in the same Employment Region’. The assumption is that if they are still with an Employment Provider after that amount of time, then they need a change of scenery and a fresh approach. A job seeker would be transferred to the most suitable Employment Provider in the Employment Region, based on a range of factors.

2.21. What’s to stop parking?

The Department would expect better from providers. Providers will achieve higher outcome payments and be rewarded more through the Star Ratings for employment outcomes for job seekers who have more work capacity and personal issues to be addressed relative to those who are more job competitive. Parking of job seekers will have a flow-on effect to Providers’ Star Ratings.

2.22. What will happen if you place another Employment Provider’s client? Who would get the fee?

The outcome payment would sit with the Provider who has the Job Seeker on their caseload. An Employment Provider who places another Provider’s job seeker may wish to discuss arrangements for sharing the outcome fee. The Department would like to see Providers collaborating to meet employer needs and is looking at approaches to reward this.

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2.23. Under the previous model, we received a higher level of fees based on the employability level of the Job Seeker. The new model appears to provide for a more flat fee structure. What is the thinking around that and what is the expectation from the Department?

Section 2.15.2 of the Exposure Draft of the RFT states, ‘The 2015 Employment Services Model includes a simple and flat Administration Fee structure that will be supported by automated claiming through the Employment Services System (ESS). Administration Fees will be paid in advance at six monthly intervals for all Streams. A higher fee will be paid for Job Seekers subject to the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30 measure (subject to legislation), in recognition of the mandatory monthly interviews that Employment Providers are required to conduct. Volunteer Job Seekers will attract the Stream A Administration Fee for the six months they are in service’.

Section 2.15 of the Exposure Draft of the RFT states, ‘Employment Providers’ fee structures mean they are rewarded when Job Seekers stay in ongoing, sustainable jobs... [the] size of Administration Fees relative to Outcome Payments is designed to promote performance as well as to encourage Employment Providers to use funds from Outcome Payments to provide services and purchase additional assistance to generate employment outcomes for Job Seekers. The Administration Fee on its own is not designed to cover the cost of operating an Employment Services business. Employment Providers will have to invest a portion of their Outcome Payments in order to get Job Seekers into a job’.

2.24. Will a provider’s decision to apply sanctions to a job seeker for non-attendance still be reviewable?

Yes. Decisions to sanction Job Seekers are reviewable under Social Security Law. The Job Seeker can also seek a review of sanctions externally through the Social Security review and appeals process.

2.25. You mentioned that in the current program both the star rating and underlying data will be considered for the 30% weighting for high performing provider. What is the underlying data that will be considered?

Underlying data could be any reports the Department holds relating to an organisation’s performance. Each current provider has access to reports on performance in addition to the star ratings outcomes. It should be expected that anything an organisation puts in its tender will be considered. The Department does not limit that the data which can be taken into account to assess performance. More details on how this will operate will be included in the RFT.

2.26. Under table C it note that there may be a combination of training activities: LLN and other. What is the other?

Table 2.4 states that a combination of activities can be used to meet the annual Work for the Dole Requirement including participation in the Skills for Education and Employment or other approved language, literacy and numeracy training. This may include the Adult Migrant English Programme or other programmes approved by the Department through the Guidelines from time to time.

2.27. It is proposed that Job Seekers who remain unemployed after two years for Stream A, or three years for Stream B and C with the one Employment Provider will usually be transferred, along with their business share to another Employment Provider. How is the amount of

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Administration Fee to be transferred for the Job Seeker calculated if a Job Seeker is transferred part way through the six month Administration Fee period?

Section 2.7.4 of the Exposure Draft of the RFT states, ‘For all transfers, Employment Providers will receive a pro-rata Administration Fee when the Job Seeker commences with them. Relinquishing Employment Providers will have the remaining proportion of their Administration Fees recovered. This recovery will be pro-rated based on the period of time between the Job Seeker commencing with them to the Job Seeker transferring’.

2.28. A weighting of 30% has been applied to the Employment Provider Selection Criteria 3 (Demonstrated Past Performance). What period of performance will be taken into account?

The Department will take into account any current performance and other data held by the Department for existing Providers. Specific guidance regarding this Criterion is available at section 7.10.4 of the Exposure Draft. More detail on how this will operate will be included in the RFT.

2.29. Are Guidelines regarding collaboration between Employment Providers to service major Employers available?

Guidelines have not been developed at this stage however the Department is looking at guidance to promote collaborative practices among Employment Providers to meet the needs of major employers as indicated at section 2.12.

2.30. Is there a cap on Wage Subsidies?

Restart and Youth wage subsidies are demand driven national subsidies which will be separately identified and managed (see Table 2.3 – Table of Wage Subsidies). Employment Providers will also manage wage subsidies for other long-term unemployed (LTU) job seekers using the additional Employment Fund credit of $990 for each job seeker unemployed for 12 months (excluding those attracting the Restart and Under 30 wage subsidies).

2.31. The Exposure Draft specifies that Employment Providers are expected to deliver services to the full range of Job Seekers. How will this all-encompassing service deliver services to meet the specific needs of young people at risk?

Employment Providers are required to deliver services to all Job Seekers. Where an organisation considers that it needs additional capacity to service the needs of a specific Job seeker cohort the organisation may choose to propose sub-contracting arrangements or submit a Tender as part of a Group or consortium to ensure that it has capacity to meet the specific needs of a particular Job Seekers cohort. Employment Services 2015 will give providers the flexibility to target services to address the needs of a diverse range of job seekers, including at-risk youth. Providers will be able to tailor the services they deliver based on the needs of the individual job seeker.

2.32. Will the release of the Request for Tender be impacted by the passage of legislation?

The release date of Request for Tender is not subject to the passage of legislation.

2.33. How does an Employment Provider get paid for non-vocational supports delivered to Job Seekers?

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Funding will be made available to Employment Providers through the Employment Fund, Administration Fees and Outcome Fees. For more information, refer to section 2.15 of the Exposure Draft.

2.34. If a metropolitan based Employment Provider places a Job Seeker in an Employment Region, that it is not contracted in, that attracts a Regional loading does what level of outcome fee does that Employment Provider receive?

Feedback on the operation of the Regional Loading has been sought through the Exposure draft Information Sessions. Arrangements will be finalised ahead of the release of the Request for Tender.

2.35. I would like to know the guidelines for sending Job Seekers to additional training.

‘Non-job seeking’ activities, such as training, may be included in a job seeker’s Job Plan by their employment services provider. The Government’s primary goal is for job seekers to enter into full-time sustainable employment and financial independence, and the role of employment services providers is to give the most appropriate assistance to help job seekers achieve this goal. In some cases a provider may decide that additional training is the best way to improve a job seeker’s opportunities to find employment. This is especially likely when a job seeker has been in receipt of income support for an extended period of time.

2.36. My query relates to the new incentive payments to employers who take on and retain young, long-term or mature age unemployed job seekers. The documents state that these payments ‘may not be used in conjunction with other wage subsidies, except the Tasmanian Jobs Programme’. I take this to mean that the employer won’t be able to simultaneously claim (for instance) both a youth incentive and a LTU incentive for the same job seeker; nor a youth incentive and the Indigenous Wage Subsidy for the same job seeker. However, could the employer claim (for instance) a youth wage subsidy in relation to the first six months of employment for Ms Smith; and then go onto claim the IWS for a subsequent period of employing Ms Smith?After a company (Company B) has employed a jobseeker (Mr X) for 6 months and claimed one of the new incentive payments, suppose Mr X then quits that company and becomes unemployed again. Down the track, when Mr X has become eligible again for triggering one of the incentive payment, suppose Company B takes on Mr X and employs him for a further 6 month period – can the same company claim the incentive payment a second (or further) time for the same employee?

No. Under the Employment Services 2015 Model, wage subsidies administered by the Department of Employment (with the exception of the Tasmanian Jobs Programme) cannot be paid where an employer is receiving other Government wage subsidies and/or that employer has previously received a wage subsidy in respect of the same participant. In addition, job seekers eligible for the Youth and Restart Wage Subsidies are not eligible for the Long Term Unemployed Wage Subsidy.

Wage subsidies are intended to encourage employers to take on job seekers and also assist them to fund specific job training that will allow job seekers to increase their skills and become fully productive ongoing employees (as per section 2.9.9 of the Exposure Draft). Further information on the Youth and Long Term Unemployed Wage Subsidies will be provided closer to the commencement dates.

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2.37. Providers will be assessing the job seeking efforts of the job seeker, is that taking the work away from DHS?

Yes, Providers have a closer relationship with the job seeker than DHS so are considered are best placed to determine if the job seeker is doing the right thing.

2.38. In relation to 4 week outcome fees, is a fee payable to a provider who may broker the placement? If not, providers will not be inclined to refer job seekers attached to other providers.

The outcome is paid to the provider to which the job seeker is attached. There are no more Job Seeker Placement Fees. However providers can negotiate their own financial arrangements to support collaboration. Details of the strategies successful tenderers will use to achieve this collaboration to maximise outcomes should be included in their tender responses. For further information, refer to section 2.13 of the Exposure Draft.

2.39. Whose job will it be to administer wage subsidies and job commitment bonus payments, given that they have much longer term payments – after the job seeker may have exited?

Job Commitment Bonus: The Department of Human Services will pay the Bonus directly to the job seeker at the end of the 12 and 24 month qualifying periods upon suitable confirmation that their employment has been ongoing and they have not returned to income support.

Claimants of the bonus will need to keep copies of all their payslips for the qualifying periods and present these to the Department of Human Services as evidence of their continuous employment.

Wage Subsidies: Where the Employment Provider has entered into a Wage Subsidy Agreement, they will be required to administer Wage Subsidy payments to Employers and seek reimbursement from the Employment Fund (see section 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft). This approach will give providers the opportunity to build and maintain relationships with employers.

2.40. Will Centrelink continue to do Job Seeker Classification Instruments (JSCIs) over the phone and will the JSCI be reviewed for streams A, B or C?

The operational detail relating to the service delivery of the JSCI by both Employment Services 2015 providers and the Department of Human Services is still being developed and further information on the process will be provided.

The Job Seeker Classification Instrument is subject to regular review and monitoring to ensure that job seekers are allocated to the appropriate levels of service based on their relative disadvantage in the labour market. Information relating to the Job Seeker Classification Instrument is contained at section 2.8 of the Exposure Draft.

2.41. There are no Stream A 4 week outcomes available in the first 3 months. What is the thinking behind this and won’t it impact on employer relationships as providers won’t be inclined to refer the most job ready job seekers?

Outcome Payments are structured to reflect a Job Seeker’s Stream and length of unemployment and recognises that Stream B and C Job Seekers and those who have been unemployed for longer will

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require greater investment. Stream A Job Seekers are the most job ready and should generally be able to find work more quickly than Job Seekers in other Streams. Therefore, eligibility to begin tracking for an Outcome for Stream A Job Seekers will begin only after they have been unemployed for three months. Employment Providers will be required to identify, as part of their tender, how they intend to work and collaborate with other stakeholders, including strategies to cover the need to deliver job ready Job Seekers to employers. For further information, refer to sections 2.13 and 2.15.3 of the Exposure Draft.

2.42. Is there a differentiation between brokered placements in achieving outcomes?

No, there is no differentiation.

2.43. If a placement is anchored at 10 weeks will the 4 week outcome be payable as it falls outside the 3 month period?

No. Employment Providers will be eligible to begin a claim for an Outcome Payment for a Stream A Job Seeker only after they have been unemployed for three months. Employment Providers may be eligible for a 4 week Outcome payment for Stream B and Stream C Job Seekers if they commence in a job from the first day they are unemployed. For further information, refer to section 2.15.3 of the Exposure Draft.

2.44. Has any thought been given to the impact of the 40 job searches per week on employers in the small areas, for instance in Albany where there are only so many job seekers and so many jobs. Recruitment people at the employers will put them in the bin.

To clarify, the employment services model includes 40 job searches per month (rather than per week) as the upper figure. Job seeker and other exceptional circumstances, such as the local labour market, would be taken into account when setting relevant and appropriate job search requirements.

Advice will be in guidelines for providers.

2.45. Will counselling for Job seekers with non-vocational barriers be made compulsory as this activity is currently voluntary?

Table 2.1 of the Exposure Draft provides a summary of the services that will be provided throughout a job seeker’s service.

Section 2.9.2 provides additional detail on some of the servicing elements in each stream that are tailored to individual needs and circumstances while ensuring job seekers are best placed to fill available jobs and meet their Mutual Obligations under Social Security Law.

As per section 2.9.2 of the Exposure Draft, “Job Seekers in Streams B and C will be required to fully and conscientiously participate in the vocational or non-vocational interventions that Employment Providers deem necessary to make them job ready during their first year of unemployment. If Employment Providers consider that a Job Seeker is not benefiting from or actively participating in the intervention, the Employment Provider will refer the Job Seeker to Work for the Dole.”

Additionally, section 2.9.5 of the Exposure Draft provides for the activities that can be included in the job seeker’s Job Plan. Elements that must be included in each Job Plan include:

the number of job searches that must be undertaken by the Job Seeker each month

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contact between the Employment Provider and Job Seeker basic details of mandatory vocational and non-vocational activities, such as the annual Work for the

Dole requirement, vocational training, and any other work experience that Job Seekers will undertake with the objective of gaining employment.

In addition to the above requirements, the Job Plan for a Job Seeker with Mutual Obligation requirements can also include voluntary activities (for example, ongoing psychological counselling or drug and alcohol treatment).

2.46. The Provider cannot run the JSCI in the first 6 months, only DHS. At what point can we refer job seekers back to DHS?

During their first six months of service Job seekers can be referred back to the Department of Human Services at any time the job seeker’s individual circumstances have changed significantly or the job seeker discloses new information such that their most recent JSCI is affected. The operational detail relating to the service delivery of the JSCI by both Employment Services 2015 providers and the Department of Human Services is still being developed and further information on the process will be provided.

Information relating to the Job Seeker Classification Instrument is contained at section 2.8 of the Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements.

2.47. Given the huge number of providers, hundreds of them, what is the thinking around reducing red tape related to the development of individual provider service guarantees for each region? How will the Department be monitoring providers and conducting quality assurance for all of those providers? That seems like a monster task.

As it does now, the Department will be drafting a set of common service standards as part of the Service Guarantees which is applicable for all employment providers.

Service Guarantees will also comprise a Service Delivery Plan prepared by each employment provider that will include standards specific to the employment provider based on the services they committed to provide in their tender response. In doing this, the Department acknowledges that there is flexibility in the model.

It is not expected that a Service Delivery Plan is at each regional level. However, an Employment Provider may include region specific servicing strategies in its Service Delivery Plan.

Employment providers are contractually obliged to honour the service offering they describe in their tender response in providing services to each Job Seeker. An employment provider’s performance will be assessed against the delivery of services in accordance with what they describe in their tender response as well as the Deed.

2.48. Will there be any changes being made to the JSCI?

The Department is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the JSCI while ensuring ease of administration by providers. Additionally as part of the design of the Employment Services 2015 model the department will review the current JSCI workflow to identify opportunities for improvements and efficiencies.

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2.49. My understanding from all communication so far that the income waiting period only applies to new entrants to the social security payments system. The table references an income support waiting period at the following points in the jobseeker service continuum:1-6 months (Income Support Waiting Period)6-12 months (Work for the Dole & Income Support Period)12-18 months (Income Support Waiting Period)18-24 months (Work for the Dole & Income Support Period)24-30 months (Income Support Waiting Period)30-36 months (Work for the Dole & Income Support Period).Is there only one income support period or will jobseekers have multiple waiting periods? If there is only one waiting period can you advise the meaning of the waiting periods other than the initial 1-6 months?

The Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers Under 30 measure was announced in the 2014-15 Budget.

Income support waiting periods described below are subject to the passage of the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (2014 Budget Measures No. 2) Bill 2014.

As part of the measure, from 1 January 2015, new job seekers aged up to 30 years of age claiming Newstart or Youth Allowance (other) who have a full work capacity, are job ready and are not exempted from the measure, will be subject to a six-month waiting period before they receive income support.

From 1 July 2015 all job seekers under 30 years of age who have a full work capacity, are job ready and are not exempted from the measure will also be subject to the Income Support Waiting Period.

Job seekers will have multiple waiting periods. They will alternate between six months in an Income Support Waiting Period and six months receiving income support (during the Work for the Dole period) until they find employment or their circumstances change and they are no longer subject to the measure.

In recognition of any work history, the initial six month Income Support Waiting Period will be reduced by one month for every year of prior work experience up to a maximum of five months. Part-time employment will also be recognised on a pro-rata basis. This reduction will only apply to the initial waiting period.

2.50. Is the external standard the IS0 9001?

There is a choice of four Department approved quality standards: the ISO 9001, the National Standards for Disability Services, the Employment Services Industry Standard or Investors in People. A provider may choose the standard that is best for their business purposes.

2.51. With regard to subcontracting, if the job seeker goes into Department of Human Services, will they advise job seekers about the subcontracting organisation who they may actually be serviced by?

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When job seekers first register with the Department of Human Services, they will be able to choose their Employment Provider. Connections for Quality on Australian JobSearch allows Providers to showcase their organisation and any speciality services or arrangements at a local level, for example, subcontracting arrangements. See Section 2.7.1 of the Exposure Draft for more information.

2.52. Where job seekers will be transferred after 2 years’ service, will business share be transferred with them and will it change?

The job seeker and the business share will be transferred form the Provider. The focus on performance will remain, as Providers which aren’t placing job seekers in sustainable employment will have business share transferred to higher performing providers.

2.53. If a core element of a tender (for example, a motivational assessment) isn’t clear in the response as to whether it will be funded through Administration Fees or the Employment Fund, will the department clarify with the tenderer the intended funding source?

No. Proposed services and strategies included in a tender response will, if successful, form part of the deed for Employment Services. It is the responsibility of tenderers to undertake their own assessment of possible income and expenditure and, if successful, to deliver all the services outlined in their tender response.

Information on payments to Employment Providers is set out in section 2.15 of the Exposure Draft. The Administration Fee on its own is not designed to cover the cost of operating an Employment Services business. Providers will have to invest a portion of their Outcome Payment in order to get Job Seekers in a job.

2.54. Are Under 30s subject to the Stronger Participation Incentives measure volunteers when they are not receiving income support?

No, they will be required to fully participate, noting that the income support arrangements are subject to the passage of legislation. Failure to fully comply with job search and attendance at appointments (and any other requirements in their Job Plan) may result in their income support being delayed when they commence in the Work for the Dole phase.

2.55. Is Wage Connect returning?

Wage Connect will not form part of the 2015 model. Other wage subsidies (ie Restart, the Long Term Unemployed and the Youth wage subsidies) will replace it.

2.56. Are there any job placement fees?

No.

2.57. Does this mean that provider who finds the vacancy which is subsequently filled by a job seeker from another provider will not receive a payment?

Yes, unless the two Providers agree to share the outcome payments. Outcome payments would be made by the Department to the Provider who has the job seeker on their caseload.

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2.58. Collaboration between providers to support employers is stressed in the Exposure Draft. Will collaboration be reflected in the stars?

An Expert Reference Group (see section 2.16.4 of the Exposure Draft) has been formed to consider the performance framework and this is an element they will be considering.

2.59. Can you tender as a specialist?

No. An organisation tendering to be an Employment Provider has to tender to service all job seekers referred to them, and generally will be expected to cover the whole Employment Region. Organisations interested in providing services only to particular client groups may wish to consider sub-contracting or group tendering arrangements (refer section 1.2 of the Exposure Draft).

2.60. The Exposure Draft stated Education Outcomes are available for 15-17 year olds through participation in courses that lead to the attainment of a qualification not less than a Certificate II level or successfully complete one semester of a two semester course within 12 months. Does the Certificate II courses include short courses?

Yes. Refer to 2.15.4 in Exposure Draft.

2.61. Will there be wholesale changes to the JSCI?

The Department is committed to maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the JSCI while ensuring ease of administration by the Department of Human Services and Providers. Additionally as part of the design of the Employment Services 2015 model the Department will review the current JSCI workflow to identify opportunities for improvements and efficiencies. This question most closely aligns with section 2.8 of the Exposure Draft.

2.62. What is meant by specific and targeted training in relation to the Employment Fund?

We are interested in getting feedback on this issue. However the intention is to stop training for training’s sake. The objective is to ensure that training will result in an actual job.

2.63. There are no outcomes for Stream A job seekers until 3 months. Does that mean that they have to start in the job after the 3 months or can they start before 3 months as long as the first payment at 4 weeks falls after the three months?

The period that counts towards outcome payments for Stream A job seekers starts after they have been in employment services for three months. Refer to 2.15.3 in Exposure Draft.

2.64. How will three Streams be blended for the four that operate under the Job Services Australia model?

Refer to Section 2.8 (Stream Services) of the Exposure Draft:

A Job seeker’s Stream will be determined by the JSCI and where required an ESAt.

Stream A job seekers will be the most job competitive job seekers and will therefore require less assistance to achieve sustainable employment outcomes. Current Stream 1 job seekers will be placed

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into Stream A. Some Stream 2 job seekers will also be transitioned to Stream A if they have a low to moderate JSCI score.

Stream B job seekers will need their provider to play a greater role in making them job ready. They will have a JSCI score indicating a moderate to high risk of long-term unemployment and will have other barriers such as poor language, literacy and numeracy skills. Stream B will include job seekers from the current Streams 2 and 3.

Stream C job seekers will require more integrated and intensive assistance. Stream C job seekers will also possibly have complex and multiple non vocational barriers that may prevent them from obtaining and sustaining employment or undertaking further sills development. The current Stream 4 caseload will be transitioned to Stream C.

Job seekers who are subject to the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job seekers Under 30 measure will be primarily placed into Stream A, with some placed into Stream B. Whether a job seeker who is subject to this measure is placed into Stream A or B will depend on their JSCI result and how job competitive they are.

2.65. If a job seeker has done nine weeks in a job and then does not work for several weeks will the clock reset for calculating the outcome payment?

Guidelines will be developed which will provide advice for circumstances that are considered to be suitable for an allowable break.

2.66. Will there be a measure for brokered places?

No.

2.67. The Exposure Draft states that Employment Fund expenditure for training courses should be linked to a job. Does this mean a specific job or vacancy that exists or a labour market need or skills shortage?

The Exposure Draft states that the Employment Fund can be used for specific, targeted training that will assist the Job Seeker in obtaining employment. Any purchases of training must be in accordance with the principles set out in 2.9.7 and any guidelines. There should be a clear link between training provided and the jobs available in the local labour market, however there does not have to be a specific job or vacancy to expend these funds.

2.68. In relation to claiming a 4 Week Full Outcome based on Allowance reduction, will this be impacted on by Working Credits? Will this claiming/Documentary Evidence capture be automated?

Outcome payments will not be impacted by Working Credits. In assessing off benefit status for Outcome claims only the job seeker’s basic rate of allowance is considered.

The Department intends for the claiming process to be as automated as possible. (Section 2.15.3 ED) Further information about documentary evidence capture will be available in guidelines.

2.69. The Exposure Draft states that ‘Any additional contacts beyond those specified in Service Guarantee ‘should not be funded’? This can be read 2 ways. Does it suggest that individuals

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with complex needs who need frequent contact could be funded by Employment Fund if it’s in the Guarantee?

Employment Providers will not be able to seek reimbursement for Additional Contacts from the Employment Fund. The Employment Provider will specify their servicing strategy, including how they will service job seekers with complex needs, in their Service Guarantee. If a provider chooses to service a job seeker more frequently than is required within that job seeker’s Stream, as outlined in their Service Guarantee, it is at the provider’s discretion and will not be supported by the Employment Fund. For further information, refer to sections 2.9.1 and 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft.

2.70. Are Voluntary job seekers allowed 1 period of servicing per registration?

As per section 2.6.1 of the Exposure Draft, “Volunteers will receive time limited services of up to six months ... Volunteers will have access to these services once only.” If a Volunteer job seeker exits and returns to Employment Provider services within 13 weeks of that exit, where they have yet to receive a full six months of service, they may continue to access services until they reach a maximum of six months of service. If they exit and do not return within 13 weeks they will only be eligible for further Employment Provider services if their circumstances change, that is, they move onto an activity tested income support payment or become subject to mutual obligation requirements.

2.71. What is Maternity Allowance (ref: pg. 155 ED)?

The inclusion of ‘Maternity Allowance’ is an error in the Exposure Draft. It will be removed in the final version of the Request for Tender.

2.72. Will the Department be releasing data about the nature of job seeker cohorts in the new Employment Service Areas (ESA)?


2.73. Will the Department take into account star ratings even though the provider may only have star ratings for part of the ESA?

Where an existing Provider operates in a number of current Employment Service Areas which either fully or partially fall within the boundaries of a 2015 Employment Region, the Department will derive the Provider’s performance data for use in assessing tender bids by using existing data relating to current Employment Service Areas managed by the Provider. This s described in section 7.10 of the Exposure Draft in relation to criterion 1 of the selection criteria for Employment Providers, Work for the Dole Coordinators and NEIS Providers.

2.74. What types of training packages will be available to JSAs for their Job Seekers

Employment Services 2015 (ES 2015) will not change the existing Vocational Education and Training system, i.e. ES 2015 has no influence on the training packages that training providers offer.

However, training referrals by Employment Providers will be more tightly targeted under ES 2015 and job seekers will not undertake training for training’s sake (2.9.7, 2.10.3). Employment Providers will be able to use the Employment Fund for specific, targeted training that will assist the Job Seeker in

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obtaining employment. Any purchases of training will need to be in accordance with the principles set out in 2.9.7 and any guidelines.

For example, it may be that an employer only requires certain skill sets within a training package to be completed by the job seeker, rather than a full qualification.

Part-time study leading to a Certificate III in a skills in demand area and participation in the Skills for Education and Employment Programme or other approved language, literacy and numeracy training, Table 2.4 may contribute to a Job Seeker’s Mutual Obligation requirements.

2.75. I am a little confused with the model. Jobseekers will be on the program for 6 months and will then go on WfD. They will have 6 months off allowance with a Job search requirement and 6 months on allowance doing WfD. How do we manage the compliance aspects during the off allowance periods?

Subject to the passage of legislation, job seekers under the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30 measure may be required to apply for up to 40 jobs per calendar month. During a waiting period (nil rate period) failure to complete their required number of job searches may result in the Employment Provider reporting this to Human Services and may result in their waiting period being extended. During the waiting period, Employment Providers will be responsible for monitoring and making decisions relating to compliance with other requirements as well, including attendance at Provider appointments and job interviews. While job seekers are receiving an income support payment, normal job seeker compliance arrangements will apply.

2.76. Given the timeline described, is it possible that a Jobseeker who fails each month for the first 6 months could be without income support for 18 months or more?

If a job seeker continues to not meet their requirements, their eligibility for income support (unemployment benefits) will need to be reviewed by Human Services.

2.77. The Exposure Draft refers to a provider’s Service Delivery Plan – is this something that providers can develop if they successfully tender, or should it be developed and submitted in their tender response?

The Department is mindful of the additional effort that would be required for all tenderers to submit a proposed Service Delivery Plan along with their tender response, when only some tenderers will ultimately be successful.

As indicated at section 2.16.6 of the Exposure Draft, the Department proposes to issue guidance to Employment Providers on the development of Service Delivery Plans prior to the issue of Deeds.

The final approach will depend on submissions received in response to the Exposure Draft

2.78. Is there assistance for under 30 s to relocate?

Yes, the Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job programme can assist by helping with the costs of relocating. Job seekers unemployed for 12 months or more may be eligible for up to $6,000 if they move to a regional area to take up a job or up to $3,000 if they move to a capital city to take up a job. Families with dependent children may be eligible for up to an extra $3,000 to help cover the additional costs of

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relocation. More information about the Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job programme can be found at: www.employment.gov.au/relocationassistance and at section 2.5.3 of the Exposure Draft.

Also, under the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30 measure, similar relocation assistance will be available to job seekers who have completed their first period of Work for the Dole.

2.79. Service delivery issue. The Exposure Draft refers to having four to six Employment Providers in each Region. What are the realistic expectations in a regional environment? The model could lead to five providers in a small town/regional location – this would have an impact on numbers of job seekers for each provider in a location, competition for employers and financial viability.There are currently only two to three providers in even large regional centres (like Coffs Harbour) and this appears sufficient.

While all Employment Providers will be required to cover the entire Employment Region, the Department does not expect all providers would have sites in the same locations.

The Exposure Draft indicates at section 7.2.4, that the Department anticipates there will be at least two Providers and generally four to six Providers in each Employment Region unless there are exceptional circumstances. As indicated, the Department makes no representation or guarantee as to the number of Providers it may require in any Employment Region.

The question has been noted as also providing feedback on Exposure Draft.

2.80. Will the Department be publishing indicative outcome percentages for the new regional boundary and areas once in place?


2.81. Will there be any changes to Early School Leaver (ESL) policy from July 2015?

The Department is looking at the interaction between ESL policy and the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30 measure. Further advice will be provided.

2.82. There is no reference in the Exposure Draft to the ‘Barriers Serviced’ performance measure that is currently included in the star ratings for stream 4. Will this measure be incorporated in the new model?

Stream 4 is replaced by Stream C in the new model. The Expert Reference Group (as set out in section 2.16.4 of the Exposure Draft) is considering aspects of the performance framework including the “barriers serviced” measure. Further advice will be provided when this has been determined.

2.83. If an Early School Leaver (ESL) participant completes a Certificate II qualification (so is no longer ESL) will they be eligible for a benefit and for assistance through an Employment Provider.

Eligibility for income support is a matter for the Department of Human Services. Further information will be provided about how previous ESL participants will be serviced.

2.84. What will be the arrangements for transfer of Employment Fund credits and Administration Fees when business is reallocated from one Provider to another?

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There will be a transfer of funds. As indicated at section 2.7.4 of the Exposure Draft, details will be provided in guidelines.

2.85. During transition or after completion of 2 or 3 years (whichever applies) with one Provider will job seekers be able to choose their new provider?

Section 2.17.2 (Arrangements for Transition of the Employment Services 2015 Model) of the Exposure Draft states ‘Where the Job Services Australia Provider is exiting, Job Seekers will be transferred to a new (successful tenderer) Employment Provider. The Department will nominate the gaining Employment Provider. A Job Seeker may, however, be able to request that they be moved to different Employment Provider’.

When a Job Seeker has remained unemployed for two years for Stream A, or three years for Streams B and C, it is likely that they will be automatically transferred to a new Employment Provider in the same Employment Region. However a Job Seeker may be able to request that they be moved to a different Employment Provider.

2.86. Employment Providers will have an increased power of discretion with regard to making decisions related to Job Seeker compliance. What is the framework for monitoring how providers apply this power of discretion?

Employment Providers will receive training from the Department. Guidelines will be issued to providers that will include information about the factors they need to consider when making decisions including details on what might be considered a “reasonable excuse” for non-attendance. Additional support will be provided to providers through a Helpline.

2.87. The Exposure Draft indicates that providers will be able to use the Employment Fund to pay for targeted training. Does this include both accredited and non-accredited training? Yes as long as it is specific to a job. The Department is looking to reduce the incidence of untargeted training.Is it expected that providers will bear the cost of other training (eg. employment preparation courses)?

Providers will need to decide whether to outsource this type of training or whether to deliver the training internally. Providers will be able to determine how they deliver training that cannot be funded through the Employment Fund including by taking account of admin fees and future outcome payments.

2.88. Can you provide more information about the anticipated red tape reductions?

Examples of red tape reductions include:

reducing from 4 streams to 3. introduction of a flat administration fee. a more streamlined approach and process for managing Job Seeker compliance. the model is less prescriptive and has fewer mandatory requirements. technological initiatives will create further efficiencies eg. introduction of an APP that will allow

Work for the Dole supervisors to quickly record and communicate Job Seeker attendance to providers.

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streamlined documentary evidence requirements where DHS information can be used to substantiate an employment-related Outcome claim. For further information refer to section 2.15.5 of the Exposure Draft.

Outcome Payments to cover an even number of weeks and align to whole payment fortnights to increase the simplicity for claiming payments. For further information refer to section 2.15.3 of the Exposure Draft.

These are in addition to changes that have recently been introduced to reduce documentary evidence requirements for Job Services Australia Providers.

2.89. The Exposure Draft indicates the Employment Fund can be used to provide targeted training. Does this mean it can be used to provide vocational training for young people?

The Employment Fund can be used to provide vocational training that is targeted at a specific job. It is not intended that it should be used for training (eg. for certificates and licences) where there is no plan with the Job Seeker to gain employment in a job that relates to the training.

2.90. How will training designed to assist job seekers develop job seeking skills (eg. mock interviews) be funded.

These will be funded by the Employment Provider.

2.91. The Exposure Draft appears to provide contradictory information about whether a Provider must accept all Job Seeker transfers. In one section it states all parties must agree to the transfer. Another section indicates a Provider must accept all transfers.

Different rules apply depending on the nature of the transfer and who is responsible for affecting the transfer. As per current arrangements, Employment Providers will be required to accept all referral and transfers, with the exception being a ‘transfer by agreement’ where both Employment Providers and the Job Seeker agree and effect the transfer without the involvement of the Department.

As per Section 2.7.3 and 2.7.5 of the Exposure Draft, a Job Seeker may be transferred to a new Employment Provider for a number of reasons, including: as a result of Transition; because the Job Seeker is unemployed after being with the same Employment Provider for two years in Stream A or three years in Stream B; the Job Seeker changing address; or the Job Seeker and their current Employment Provider are no longer able to maintain a ‘reasonable and constructive servicing relationship’.

2.92. The Exposure Draft indicates there is an expectation for providers will work collaboratively together. Are there any incentives for providers to do this?

The Department will be encouraging Employment Providers to work together especially to meet the recruitment needs of business on large projects. The Department will be looking at how it can best encourage providers to consider taking a lead role in these types of initiatives. The Department is also considering provision of additional funding for when additional activities for significant ventures are coordinated.

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2.93. Volunteers will only receive six months of assistance. What is in place for those under 21 that are not eligible for an allowance due to parental income once 6 months has elapsed? What assistance will they be eligible for?

As per section 2.6.1 of the Exposure Draft, ‘Volunteers will receive time limited services of up to six months to help them understand the skills and attributes local employers need, build their résumé, look for jobs and show them how to access self-help. Employment Providers will assist Volunteer Job Seekers by improving their employability skills, offering advice on how to navigate the labour market and referring them to jobs.’

At the completion of six months of Stream A assistance, a young person who is not eligible for income support and remains unemployed will be able to apply the skills learned as an employment services Volunteer to look for work or study. This may include:

the Australian JobSearch website, which is a free public website that assists job seekers with finding employment and employers with finding workers

pursuing other avenues to look for work, such as directly contacting employers, looking up websites or newspapers, or

returning to study or taking up training.

Additionally, vulnerable young people aged 15-24 years (including full-time students who present in crisis and no other appropriate services are available in the community) who have at least one serous non-vocational barrier (for example, homelessness, drug issues, mental illness, physical disability or social isolation) will have immediate access to Stream C assistance until their circumstances can be fully assessed. Their Employment Provider will immediately assist the vulnerable young person in dealing with any non-vocational barriers, including referring them to other appropriate forms of assistance, such as community and health services.

The Employment Provider will also refer the vulnerable young person to the Department of Human Services within four weeks of initial registration to discuss potential eligibility for income support payments, completion of a JSCI and, if appropriate, referral for an ESAt.

If the assessment confirms Stream C eligibility, the young person will remain in Stream C. If Stream C eligibility is not confirmed, a young person who is not on income support would be eligible for services as a Volunteer in Stream A or, if a full-time student, exited from the services.

2.94. Are educational outcomes vocational or does it include Foundation Skills Training Package at Certificate II AQF?

The Department will consider the suitability of these courses in line with the intent that an Education Outcome is to improve the job prospects and employability of Job Seekers aged between 15 and 17 years. For further information refer to section 2.15.4 of the Exposure Draft.

2.95. Stream A represents 55 per cent of the caseload, with administration and outcome payments not payable until post 3 months. This creates a big hole in the budget and is a converse incentive. Do you think providers will be less inclined to do much with Stream A clients until post the 3 month mark?

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The statement that the Administration Fee will not be available unless job seekers are on the Provider's caseload for three months is incorrect. “Administration Fees will be paid in advance at six monthly intervals for all Streams”, see section 2.15.2 of the Exposure Draft.

Providers are expected to deliver the services outlined in the Request for Tender and in their responses.

Job seekers in Stream A are the most job ready and should generally be able to find work more quickly.

For job seekers in Stream A, Providers can track for an Outcome Payment as soon as the Job Seeker has been in employment services for three months.

2.96. What impact will upgrades for achieving outcome have for outcomes?

In place of Upgrades, there will be a Full Outcome Conversion. The Full Outcome Conversion will apply if during an Outcome period, where the Partial Outcome rate applies, the Job Seeker moves completely off income support.

2.97. Under the Vic Training Guarantee, if someone has completed a level of education higher than the education they are seeking funding for, they will not be funded. How will that impact the Certificate IV in small business, if we have someone with say a masters or diploma wanting to participate in NEIS?

As is currently the case, from 1 July 2015 all prospective NEIS participants are expected to undertake or to have undertaken NEIS Training at least once. The NEIS Provider can choose to apply Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or apply Credit Transfer arrangements for job seekers with relevant NEIS ‘like’ Training and/or life/work experience. Holding a Masters degree or Diploma does not necessarily mean the Job Seeker is capable of developing an appropriate and well considered NEIS Business Plan, which will be required for the Job Seeker to be approved to receive NEIS Assistance. It is, therefore, recommended that all job seekers undertake the prescribed NEIS Training (Certificate III in Micro-business Operation or a Certificate IV in Small Business Management), or where appropriate the NEIS Provider apply RPL or Credit Transfer arrangement. For further information, refer to sections 4.7 and 4.7 of the Exposure Draft.

2.98. Will providers continue to do the JSCI for job seekers that are Direct Registrations?

Employment Providers will be required to Directly Register Volunteers, Vulnerable Youth and Vulnerable Youth Students who present to the Provider without a Referral from the Department of Human Services.

Providers must immediately provide Stream A services to Volunteer job seekers who Directly Register for Employment Services assistance. Policy relating to the assessment of Volunteer job seekers who Directly Register is still being developed

Where Vulnerable Youth and Vulnerable Youth Students Directly Register for Employment Services assistance the provider must immediately commence the job seeker in Stream C, and refer Vulnerable Youth or Vulnerable Youth Students to Department of Human Services. Department of Human Services will conduct the JSCI and, where required, an Employment Services Assessment.


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The Department will update this answer as soon as policy relating to servicing of Volunteer job seekers is finalised.

2.99. What will be the requirement to achieve a payable outcome for a Job Seeker with a partial work capacity?

Yes, however please note that the Full Outcome requirements for parents are 30 hours a fortnight in each DHS fortnight and Partial Outcome requirements are an average of 10 or more hours per week.

For definitions of Full Outcome and Partial Outcome, refer to Annexure A1 – Definitions of the Employment Services Deed.

2.100. Will providers be able to claim an employment outcome for parents where the 15 hour requirement is met?

Yes, however please note that the Full Outcome requirements for parents are 30 hours a fortnight in each DHS fortnight and Partial Outcome requirements are an average of 10 or more hours per week.

2.101. Who is on the Expert Reference Group?

The panel will comprise of representatives from:

The Department Jobs Australia NESA Independent Quality Services Assessor (British Standards International representative) National NEIS Association (on as as-needs basis).

2.102. How will Restart Payments be administered? Who will manage these?

Restart wage subsidies will be delivered through Employment Providers. Employment Providers will play an important role in promoting the programme and working with employers - they will refer suitable job seekers to employers, will enter into Restart agreements and manage Restart payments to employers. Employment Providers will make payments to employers and be reimbursed through the Employment Fund (Wage Subsidy Account).

2.103. You mentioned part service providers needing to partner up into groups to collectively service all aspects. How and when will we know who are the successful providers in our area? How can we find them before it is finalized to collaborate?

For a Deed commencing in July, results of the tender process would normally be announced in March/early April. Organisations may choose to talk to other potential tenderers to form some sort of collaborative arrangement, such as sub-contracting or consortium when developing their tender. The department is unable to provide details of potential tenderers.

2.104. Could you please direct me as to where I could get the indicative caseloads as per the new Employment Regions in regard to the Employment Services 2015-2020 Exposure Draft?

Consistent with previous tenders appropriate labour market information will be released with the RFT. The indicative date for the RFT to be released is late September 2014.

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2.105. The Exposure draft says “Additional credit of $990 for each Job Seeker who meets the eligibility benchmark of 12 months unemployment (excluding Job Seekers attracting the Restart or Under 30 wage subsidies) will be made to the Employment Fund for Long Term Unemployed wage subsidies.” I don’t understand this as wage subsidy for long term unemployed is $6,500 – where is remaining $5,510 coming from? Or is the $990 paid to the provider and in addition to the $6,500 paid to the employer?Wage subsidies for Restart and youth are “demand driven national subsidy and will remain separately identified and managed” – does this mean there is no set number of places or budget for these two subsidies?Is there are cap on number for the long term subsidy?

A credit of $990 for each eligible job seeker will be credited to the Employment Fund for the Long Term Unemployed (LTU) wage subsidy (refer to section 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft). This money is separate to the Restart wage subsidy of $10,0006,500. The LTU wage subsidy credit of $990 This moneyis credited to a pool of those funds will be pooled and and that each Employment Providers will prioritise which job seekers who will receive the this at particular subsidy of $6,500 (refer to Table 2.3 of the Exposure Draft). While the $990 credit is demand driven, this design will automatically restrict the number of wage subsidies available.

There is no cap on the number of wage subsidies available for both the Youth and Restart wage subsidies.

2.106. If a volunteer such as a young person who is not eligible for allowance due to their parents’ income has a 13 week gap in their registration, they aren’t eligible for any service again unless their circumstances changes again. What happens if the gap is due to a job which falls over for reasons out of their control, will they be able to access services again?

As per section 2.6.1 of the Exposure Draft, “Volunteers will receive time limited services of up to six months. Volunteers will have access to these services once only.” If a Volunteer job seeker exits and returns to Job Services Australia within 13 weeks of that exit, where they have yet to receive a full six months of service, they may continue to access services until they reach a maximum of six months of service. If they exit and return beyond 13 weeks they will only be eligible to return to Job Services Australia if their circumstances change, that is they move onto an activity tested income support payment or become subject to mutual obligation requirements.

2.107. In terms of work “readiness”, how is readiness assessed or determined? Will there be a specific method/instrument to assist providers to assess this?

Job seekers will be assessed for Employment Services using the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI) and, where required, an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt). The JSCI measures a Job Seeker’s relative difficulty in gaining and maintaining employment and also identifies those Job Seekers who have multiple and complex issues for employment that may require further assessment through an ESAt. Job seekers will be allocated to the appropriate level of service based on their relative disadvantage in the labour market, with Stream A for the more work-ready job seekers up to Stream C for the most highly disadvantaged job seekers with serious non-vocational barriers.

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In addition to the JSCI and ESAt, Providers may choose to conduct their own assessments to determine a job seeker’s work readiness.

Information relating to assessment of job seekers for Employment Services 2015 is contained Clause 2.3. and Clause 2.8. of the Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements.

2.108. You have identified the 15-17 year olds and the NEIS group, what type of funding is available for say the long term unemployed?

Outcome payments are based on both level of a job seeker’s disadvantage as well as their length of unemployment. A wage subsidy for Long Term Unemployed job seekers will also be available. Details are at 2.9.9 of the Exposure Draft.

2.109. How will the department measure whether Employment Providers are meeting employer needs?

The achievement of Employment Outcomes will be a tangible measure of a provider’s effectiveness in meeting employer needs. Outcome payments will form a significant portion of Employment Provider income which will mean that Employment Providers have to find jobs, place Job Seekers in them and ensure that both employers and the Job Seekers are appropriately supported to achieve sustainable Outcomes (see Section 2.15 of the ED).

Star Ratings will continue to measure how effective Providers are in getting Job Seekers in employment and how quickly they achieve these outcomes. Coupled with this, a new Quality Assurance Framework will be introduced from 1 July 2015, under which providers will be required to demonstrate the delivery of quality services to job seekers, employers and the department. (see Sections 2.16.1 and 2.16.2 of the ED).

2.110. Can you explain if the Administration Fee is paid pro-rata if Stream A gains employment before the six month period ends?

The answer for Question 2.110 has been further updated to reflect that a pro-rata Administration Fee will not be recovered where a job seeker exits for employment services.

A pro-rata adjustment of Administration Fees (including a pro-rata payment or recovery as applicable) will occur in the following circumstances:

All job seeker transfers between Employment Providers (including gaining and relinquishing Employment Providers);

All job seeker transfers between Employment Regions where only one region attracts the Regional Loading (including transfers between Employment Providers and movements between Sites of the same Employment Provider); and

Where a job seeker is no longer subject to the Strong Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30 measure.

A pro-rata recovery of Administration Fees will not occur when a job seeker Exits service.

Note: Administration Fees are paid on a six month period of service basis regardless of whether the job seeker moves across Streams.

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Please note that this answer has been changed from the original response.

2.111. How will the transition be managed in terms of payments - for the closing JSA contract for 2009-2015, will the existing outcome payments be honoured after June 1 2015?

Details of transition arrangements for employment-related Outcome payments are currently under consideration. Further advice will be provided in due course.

2.112. Table 2.9 of the Draft provides a listing of client transition arrangements however there is a level of uncertainty about some of the information provided. For example:1. Under Stream 3 the table states that jobseekers registered between 0 and 6 months will move to Stream B, those registered for 7 to 12 months will move to Stream B – 6 Months of Servicing. As I am trying to model what our caseloads will look like going forward I need to ascertain whether the two statements above really mean the same thing? Will both job seeker grouping move into the mutual obligation phase six months later? (ie 1 January 2015)2. The entries under Stream 2 all state that a job seekers JSCI score will determine if they move to Stream A or B. Providers however do not have access to job seekers JSCI scores. Will these be provided to allow providers to model their service post June 2015?

1. No, the two transition points are not the same. Stream 3 Job Seekers who have been in Stream Services for 0-6 months will commence in Stream B. These job seekers will receive a full 12 months of servicing (Case Management) as per table 2.1 of the Exposure Draft (pp 16-17). Stream 3 job seekers who have been in Stream Services for 7-12 months will be placed in Stream B for six months. Both groups will move into the Mutual Obligation phase in accordance with table 2.1 of the Exposure Draft.

2. Clause 2.6. of the Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangement provides details on the Job Services Australia caseload which may be used to as an indication to model provision of Employment Services 2015-2020.

As at 30 June 2014 there were 809,000 Job Seekers on the Job Services Australia caseload. Based on the current profile of Job Seeker characteristics it is anticipated that in the Employment Services 2015 Model approximately 55 per cent of job seekers will participate in Stream A, 28 per cent to Stream B and 17 per cent to Stream C.

As outlined in Clause 2.17.2 of the Exposure Draft, the Department does not guarantee and makes no representation that a particular number of Job Seekers will be allocated to Employment Providers. Employment Providers should note that the transfer of Job Seekers available to be allocated to a particular Employment Provider will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the caseload and characteristics of Job Seekers transferred in a particular Employment Region and parts of an Employment Region, Job Seeker preference of Employment Provider and the Employment Provider’s Business Share in an Employment Region.

For Job Seekers who transition to the Employment Services 2015 Model, Employment Providers will be able to view their eligible Stream in the Department’s IT System.

2.113. If provider is close to placing a particular job seeker, could an extension of time for the job seeker to stay with the provider be requested?

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Providers will need to refer the job seeker to a Vacancy in the system in order for the job seeker to be exempt from being transferred under the two and three year transfer policy. Any referral will need to include the date that the job seeker is expected to start in the job.

2.114. Will every transitioning job seeker attract an administration fee at transition?If so, will fees all be full 6 month fees, or will there be any pro-rating?

The Employment Services 2015 Model includes a simple and flat Administration Fee structure that will be supported by automated claiming through the Employment Services System [Exposure Draft clause 2.15.2]. The Administration Fee will be paid in advance at six monthly intervals for all Streams. The policy on when the Administration Fee is to be paid for transitioning Job Seekers is currently under consideration. Further advice will be provided.

2.115. In the current Employment Services Contract, the EPF can be used to cover some costs, subject to certain limitations and conditions. 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft states: ‘The following items should not be funded through the Employment Fund’…with a list which includes ‘outreach servicing’. Can you please provide more detail on whether any of the current rules relating to using EPF for outreach servicing will continue to apply?

Employment Providers will not be able to seek reimbursement for cost associated with Outreach Servicing from the Employment Fund. In recognition of the additional costs associated with delivering services in regional locations, a loading of 25 per cent will be applied to the Administration Fees and Outcome Payments for Employment Providers in the Employment Regions identified by the Department as Regional (refer 2.15.1 of the Exposure draft).

2.116. Can an organisation choose to undertake certification against the QAF prior to the commencement of the 2015-2020 Employment Services Deed?

Organisations are able to commence the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) certification process prior to the commencement of the Employment Services Deed 2015-2020. However, as some of the QAF Key Performance Measures will relate specifically to the Employment Services Deed 2015-2020, organisations will not be able to complete their certification until they can demonstrate adherence to these Deed specific evidence requirements. In general, this would not be possible until the new contract comes in to operation.

2.117. Can an organisation choose to undertake certification against an approved Quality Standard, prior to the commencement of the 2015-2020 contract period, without having to undertake certification against the Department’s Quality Principles?

An organisation may choose to undertake the Quality Standard certification component of the Quality Assurance Framework (QAF), prior to the commencement 2015 Employment Services Deed, without undertaking certification against the Department’s Quality Principles. Noting that, if the organisation is successful in the 2015-2020 purchasing round, they will be required to be certified against both the Quality Standard and Quality Principle by 1 July 2016.

2.118. When will the QAF Principles and Key Performance Measures (KPMs) be released?

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The Quality Assurance Framework Principles and Key Performance Measures will be published with the Request for Tender.

2.119. When will an auditor list be available?

The Department is currently in the process of developing the audit list and it is anticipated that the list will be available late in 2014.

Auditors interested in being included on the Department’s approved auditor list are advised that the department will advertise inclusion for this list, via the AusTender website (https://www.tenders.gov.au), in the future.

2.120. Do members of a consortium need to meet the Quality Standards (where the consortium itself is not a legal entity)?

If a contract holder engages a subcontractor, that subcontractor is not required to gain certification against a department approved Quality Standard. However contract holders who utilise subcontracting arrangements may be subject to additional sampling requirements under the Quality Assurance Framework commensurate with proportion of business being delivered through subcontracting arrangements.

Further information in relation to the sampling requirements of the Quality Assurance Framework will be provided with the Request for Tender.

2.121. What happens if the parties of the consortium come together to form a new legal entity?

That legal entity would need to gain certification against the Quality Assurance Framework including gaining certification against a department approved Quality Standard.

2.122. With reference to reduction of red tape is the Department considering any changes to the compliance heavy Vacancy Management requirements that currently exist?

With regard to vacancy management, the cessation of brokered placements and Job Seeker Placement Fees will reduce the red tape associated with the process of screening, matching and referring job seekers to vacancies.

2.123. Who will be on the Expert Reference Panel?

The panel will comprise of representatives from:

• The Department

• Jobs Australia

• NESA

• Independent Quality Services Assessor (British Standards International)

• National NEIS Association (on as as-needs basis)

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2.124. 2.16.6 details the requirement for providers to develop Service Delivery Plans and publish guarantees. Will there be an opportunity for providers to work with the department to make changes to their plans over the life of the contract as they refine practices and determine the efficacy of certain approaches as part of their continual improvement program?

It is important to recognise that innovative strategies as proposed by tender respondents could be a key point of difference between one respondent and others. As such, the department would need to consider whether any proposed variation or change would have materially changed the relative ranking of that tenderer’s response. Whilst the department is aware that labour markets will vary over time, approval of any request to vary what was proposed in a tender response would need careful consideration on a case by case basis. Tender respondents should not propose a service offering where they believe there is a risk of them wanting to rescind elements within a short time.

2.125. What if a volunteer job seeker requires more or additional assistance that that available to them in Stream.

Job seekers who are not eligible for the full range of Employment Services can volunteer to receive services. As per section 2.6.1 of the Exposure Draft, these ‘Volunteers will receive time limited services of up to six months to help them understand the skills and attributes local employers need, build their résumé, look for jobs and show them how to access self-help. Employment Providers will assist Volunteer Job Seekers by improving their employability skills, offering advice on how to navigate the labour market and referring them to jobs.’

At the completion of six months of assistance, where a job seeker’s circumstances have not changed making them fully eligible for Employment Services, and they still require assistance to find employment they will need to make use of alternative assistance. This may include:

• the Australian JobSearch website, which is a free public website that assists job seekers with finding employment and employers with finding workers

• a range of other non-Government employment websites that volunteers can use to search for employment, and/or

• a range of other public and private services offering employment assistance or education and training.

2.126. As it currently stands in the Exposure Draft, Criterion 2 and 3 are answered at the Organisational and the Employment Region levels and for each answer there is a character limit of 25,000 characters. Therefore if you are tendering for 10 Employment Regions, you would submit 11 Criterion each of 25,000 characters. There would be 25,000 characters to answer at the Organisational level and 25,000 characters for each of the 10 Employment Regions.

That is correct in relation to the Exposure Draft. The department will consider all feedback in relation to character limits in final drafting of the Request for Tender for Employment Services 2015-2020. The RFT will provide clear instruction on how to respond to the selection criteria for each of the services being tendered.

2.127. With under 30 jobseekers on 6 monthly non-payment period what are their obligations whilst off payment and how will obligations be re-enforced?

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Job seekers subject to the Under 30s measure will be required to participate in employment services, maintain monthly contact with their employment services provider and demonstrate satisfactory job search while in the non-payment period.

Section 2.14.1 of the Exposure Draft outlines that job seekers who do not meet their obligations during the six month payment waiting period may have their non-payment period extended, depending on the nature and type of breach. The provider will be responsible for determining breaches of a job seekers obligations and penalties, subject to guidelines prepared by the Department.

2.128. Will transport costs be provided to meet appointment demands etc whilst in non-payment period?

A job seeker’s Employment Services provider has discretion to use the Employment Pathway Fund (or Employment Fund from 1 July 2015) to help the job seeker meet the travel costs of attending job interviews.

2.129. What other forms of services are available to customers on 6 monthly non-payment period?

Job seekers during a six month payment waiting period will have access to the same range of services as other job seekers in Streams A and B. After 12 months in Employment Services, job seekers in the Under 30s measure will become eligible for an employer to receive a wage subsidy of up to $6,500 to hire, train and retain them in employment and will be able to access relocation assistance to move to a job.

2.130. Years worked prior to claiming payments (work credits earnt), are they inclusive of years worked overseas?

Details of the types of gainful work that could reduce a waiting period will be included in a Legislative Instrument to be brought forward by the Minister for Social Services. The details of this Legislative Instrument have not been finalised.

2.131. Could you please clarify the requirements for tenders for services other than Employment Provider, with respect to the Department’s Quality Assurance Framework?The Statements of Requirements for the other services (Chapters 3, 4 and 5) don’t specify that certification is or will be required, but the Governance Selection criterion 7.10.3 implies that it is required.If QAF certification is not required for the other services, perhaps you could consider rewording the Governance Selection criterion to make that clear?

Thanks, your feedback is noted. We will clarify the wording on the Governance Selection criterion to make it clear that requirements of the Department’s Quality Assurance Framework do not apply to services other than Employment Provider.

2.132. Why are under 30 year of age jobseekers on a different WFD cycle to “all job seekers” ? Doesn’t this complicate the model and cause more red tape?

As part of the 2014–15 Budget, the Government announced changes that would require young people 30 years of age and under to wait six months before receiving Youth Allowance (Other) or Newstart Allowance. This measure is designed to provide a financial incentive for young people to undertake study/training and to increase the attractiveness of paid work. If young people are not engaged in

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education they should be encouraged to undertake part-time/casual work which can be used as a stepping stone to full-time work.

The different requirements between job seekers are not considered to be additional red tape. As with current employment services there will always be job seekers who have different activity requirements and providers are expected to service Job Seekers accordingly.

2.133. What constitutes a monthly contact (p16 Exposure Draft) and what constitutes a monthly interview (p20 Exposure Draft) and in our modelling how will we know how many Under 30s will come with these requirements?

For job seekers subject to the Under 30s measure a monthly contact or interview is a contact where the job seekers who is subject to the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers aged under 30 measure to discuss the Job Searches that they have undertaken in the previous month and to identify potential jobs that they can be referred to.

From July 2015, an average of 120,000 young people annually will be in employment services and be subject to the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers aged Under 30 Budget measure.

2.134. In relation to the request to provide details of all audits can you please define what sort of activity would be defined as an audit, and if it only relates to the regions in which we have delivered Employment Services. Would audits undertaken for overseas Parent Companies in other countries be required to be provided?

It is assumed that this question relates to 7.10.4 Criterion 1 which states that “All respondents should include the results of all audits undertaken by any local/state/federal/overseas government in connection with correctness of claims made since January 2012 together with details of any remedial actions undertaken.” The term audit in this context would include any internal or external audits/programme assurance or compliance exercises that relate to the correctness of claims. Audits undertaken for overseas Parent Companies in other countries would also be required to be provided.

2.135. I cannot seem to access the information above on the Employment Services site or the LMIP. I believe that it is on the Provider site (accessed by login and password only) but I am representing a new provider wishing to bid in the ES 2015-2020 RFT process.As such my Client does not have a login and is severely disadvantaged by not having access to these figures.Just to be clear, the statistics I am referring to include the KPIs for Effectiveness, efficiency and Quality.eg National Average Length of time from JS Commencement to Placement; National Average of 13 weeks Outcomes as a percentage, 26 weeks ditto.I understand the probity issues but this is what I would consider as information necessary for all intending providers.

The information referred to in the question is accessible to Job Services Australia (JSA) Providers to allow them to track their own performance against individual JSA Star Ratings performance measures. These weekly reports are intended as a performance monitoring tool for contracted Providers and are based on business rules specific to the calculation of 2012-2015 JSA Star Ratings. The reports are not

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considered relevant to organisations that are not directly assessed against these specific measures of performance.

Publicly available performance information is available through:

• the Department’s Annual Reports (http://employment.gov.au/annual-reports)

• the Labour Market Assistance Outcomes reports (http://employment.gov.au/labour-market-assistance-outcomes-reports)

• Parliamentary Questions on Notice. (http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Senate_Estimates/eetctte/estimates/index)

As set out in Section 7.10.4 Tenderers that have not delivered employment services on behalf of the Department should describe the services they have provided and how they are related to the services being tendered. This should include the Key Performance Indicators that they were assessed against and verifiable evidence of their performance against those Key Performance Indicators.

As indicated in Section 7.8.3, for the Request for Tender process, the Labour Market Information Portal will contain information representing Employment Regions, including:

• data relating to the labour market

• additional data considered particularly relevant to the delivery of services available for tender.

2.136. To assist with financial forecasting can you please advise on the number of Commencements that have been made into the JSA program over the past 2 years.

As indicated in Section 7.8.3, for the Request for Tender process, the Labour Market Information Portal will contain information representing Employment Regions, including:

• data relating to the labour market

• additional data considered particularly relevant to the delivery of services available for tender.

2.137. We are a company that has several employment related business streams, including JSA, Group Training, labour hire and fee for service (FFS) permanent recruitment. Positions available under all streams can be short term, particularly labour hire, this can also apply with FFS. With labour hire the employer / employee relationship exists mainly between us as the labour hire organisation and the worker, however, they are actually working at a host organisations premises under a contract or host hirer agreement, they are really paying the persons wages + agreed on costs as a charge rate. In the new world, could we place people under labour hire and claim the four 4 week outcomes per year? Under the old JPO contract, employment was judged at the level of the host in this situation? With FFS the company that lodges the vacancy are the actual employer, so should not be any issues there.

If a Stream Participant has been placed into Employment with a labour hire organisation by his or her Provider, the Provider is eligible to claim Job Seeker Outcome fees provided all relevant Job Seeker Outcome requirements are met. In this situation, four 4 week Outcome payments can be claimed in a 12 month period calculated from the date of the first claim per Job Seeker. A Employment Services Provider

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however can only claim Outcome Payments in relation to referrals of Stream Participants from its own caseload.

3. Statement of Requirements – Work for the Dole

3.1. The Exposure Draft discusses Work for the Dole Coordinators and at various points indicates that the Coordinators are part of the Request for Tender which will be issued at the end of September. On the Employment Services Purchasing website it states the Tender for Work for the Dole Coordinators is closed. Could you please explain the apparent discrepancy in the information?

There are two different purchasing processes for Work for the Dole Coordinators.The Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements released on 28 July 2014 describes arrangements for the procurement of Work for the Dole Coordinators to operate in 51 Regions across Australia from 1 May 2015. The Request for Tender is expected to be released in late September 2014.The closed Request for Tender for Work for the Dole Coordinator services referred to on the Employment Services Purchasing website is for services in 18 selected areas from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 in relation to the phasing in of the Work for the Dole programme in 2014-15.

3.2. Are WfD place payments ($1000 & $3500) to come out of EPF ($300, $800, $1200) or is there a separate block of money for this?

The $1000 and $3500 place payments described at Sections 2.11.8 and 2.15.2 and are separate from the Employment Fund.

3.3. Can people still nominate volunteering activities to meet their Mutual Obligation requirements?

Work for the Dole is the principal activity. Volunteering will be an option depending on that individual’s circumstances. Details regarding Mutual Obligation requirements for Job Seekers by age group are at Table 2.4 of the Exposure Draft.

3.4. Does participation in the Adult Migrant English Language Program satisfy Work for the Dole requirements?

This is one of a number of options that may in its own right or in combination with other activities assist the Job Seeker meet their Mutual Obligation requirements depending on their age group.

3.5. What qualifications are Work for the Dole Hosts required to possess?

Host organisations will need to be a not for profit organisation or local, state or Commonwealth government. Host obligations will be covered in Guidelines and will be managed through Host Organisation agreements and will depend on the individual activity being undertaken.

3.6. What is the definition of a Work for the Dole Group activity? Is it more than one participant?

Group activities require more than one Job Seeker to carry out tasks as part of a specific group or project. A Group based activity will always involve more than one job seeker. Specific details regarding Individual hosted activities and Group activities are available at section 2.11.5 of the Exposure Draft.

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3.7. Will Employment Providers be required to manage Work for the Dole participant compliance?

Yes, in consultation with Host organisations.

3.8. Will 2014-15 Work for the Dole Coordinators need to re-tender like a new organisation?

Yes they will need to tender if they wish to provide 2015-2020 services. The 2014-15 contracts will expire at the end of June 2015 and the Employment Services 2015 tender will cover all Employment Regions and a broader range of job seekers.

3.9. If an Employment Provider is also a Work for the Dole Coordinator in the same Employment Region, how will the Department ensure that there is a fair distribution of places?

The Deed will require Work for the Dole Coordinator to ensure a fair and appropriate distribution of places across all Employment Providers in an Employment Region.

3.10. Can you tender as a specialist?

No. As specified in section 1.2 of Exposure Draft, small organisations and those interested in providing services only to particular client groups are encouraged to consider group tendering arrangements if they do not wish to bid in their own right. Similarly, larger entities may consider partnering with organisations that deliver services to specific client groups.

3.11. Does the Work for the Dole Coordinator need to have a full time site, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm?

Chapter 3 of the ED states that Work for the Dole Coordinators must have a physical presence in the area, for example, appropriate office space. It also states that each Work for the Dole Coordinator must have one specified person in their organisation who will be the primary day-to- day contact for the Department for each Employment Region for which they are selected. These individuals must be located in the contracted Employment Region and preferably remain so for the period of the Deed.

3.12. There is an expectation that Work for the Dole Coordinators will be out and about as their primary role is to find places across the region.

Yes

3.13. If barriers are affecting the job seeker’s participation in Work for the Dole, can we make counselling mandatory?

Counselling for job seekers will not be made mandatory however it is part of the suite of activities available to them.

Table 2.1 of the Exposure Draft provides a summary of the services that will be provided throughout a job seeker’s service.

Section 2.9.2 provides additional detail on some of the servicing elements in each stream that are tailored to individual needs and circumstances while ensuring job seekers are best placed to fill available jobs and meet their Mutual Obligations under Social Security Law.

As per section 2.9.2 of the Exposure Draft, “Job Seekers in Streams B and C will be required to fully and conscientiously participate in the vocational or non-vocational interventions that Employment Providers

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deem necessary to make them job ready during their first year of unemployment. If Employment Providers consider that a Job Seeker is not benefiting from or actively participating in the intervention, the Employment Provider will refer the Job Seeker to Work for the Dole.”

Additionally, section 2.9.5 of the Exposure Draft provides for the activities that can be included in the job seeker’s Job Plan:

Elements that must be included in each Job Plan include: the number of job searches that must be undertaken by the Job Seeker each month contact between the Employment Provider and Job Seeker basic details of mandatory vocational and non-vocational activities, such as the annual Work for the

Dole requirement, vocational training, and any other work experience that Job Seekers will undertake with the objective of gaining employment.

In addition to the above requirements, the Job Plan for a Job Seeker with Mutual Obligation requirements can also include voluntary activities (for example, ongoing psychological counselling or drug and alcohol treatment).

3.14. If the proposal for the 6 month income support free period is passed through legislation, and a job seeker is in that period and really needs money, is it possible for them to request to be put in Work for the Dole early? If this happens can job seeker access payments early by volunteering for Work for the Dole?

A job seeker cannot volunteer early for Work for the Dole to bring forward access to income support. A job seeker in these circumstances would need to contact the Department of Human Services regarding their income support.

3.15. Stream A job seeker under 30 has to wait 3 months and go into Work for the Dole and after participation for 26 weeks goes off benefit. Do they need to wait another 3 months to go on benefit?

Stream A job seekers will commence Work for the Dole after six months of Employment Provider support (refer section 2.10.2).

The Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers Under 30 measure, which was announced in the 2014-15 Budget, refers to an initial waiting period for income support of 26 weeks rather than 3 months as referred to in the question. Further information is included in section 2.5.1 of the Exposure Draft.

Subject to the passage of legislation, from 1 January 2015, young people aged up to 30 years who are able to work full-time will be encouraged to either earn or learn through tighter payment conditions for Newstart and Youth Allowance (other). Stream A and some Stream B job seekers who are not exempted from the measure will be subject to the arrangements

New recipients will need to wait up to six months before they receive these payments, depending on their work history. For every one year of work history, one month will be discounted from their waiting period, pro-rated for part-time/casual work, to a maximum of five months’ discount from the waiting period.

Following the waiting period, income support will be available for six months in a 12-month period, dependent on the recipient participating in Work for the Dole for at least 25 hours per week. After completion of six months Work for the Dole, a wage subsidy will be available for a potential employer.

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If the income support waiting period is reduced due to full-time employment, the job seeker does not move to Work for the Dole sooner than six months.

Job seekers will still have access to the full range of employment services to help them find a job and gain work-related skills.

Job seekers will be expected to take up any suitable work, will be supported to relocate to where the jobs are and be self-supporting wherever possible.

In recognition of the importance of education and training in preventing future unemployment, young people who return to school or take up full-time vocational education or university study will not be subject to the six-month waiting period.

3.16. Is Work for the Dole funding separate from the Employment Fund?

Yes. Fees will be paid for managing and supporting Work for the Dole places. The payment of these fees is in addition to credits to the Employment Fund and other payments which an Employment Provider may be entitled. Details of these fees are in section 2.11.8 and 2.15.2 of the Exposure Draft.

3.17. Under Work for the Dole, who covers insurance and public liability?

Under current arrangements the Department purchases personal accident insurance and public and/or product liability insurance to cover job seekers undertaking Work for the Dole and it is intended that this will continue. However, providers will need to take out their own appropriate insurance for their own staff and business as specified by the Department.

3.18. With the Work for the Dole payment, is it proposed that it will still be the 70/30 split.

There has been no ratio set for the types of Work for the Dole places (Individual hosted activities / Group activities) in the Exposure Draft.

3.19. Will the Work for the Dole Pilots continue, as there appears to be an overlap in timeframes?

The phasing in of the Work for the Dole programme in 18 selected areas in 2014-15 will cease in June 2015. The national roll out of the Work for the Dole programme will commence from 1 July 2015. There will be a small overlap between the Work for the Dole Coordinators under 2014-15 and the Work for the Dole Coordinators for 2015, who will commence from 1 May 2015. This is so the Work for the Dole Providers for 2015-2020 are ready with Work for the Dole places from 1 July 2015. It should be noted that the areas covered by the Work for the Dole Programme 2014-15 and the Employment Regions covered by the 2015 arrangements may overlap but are very different.

3.20. Will providers have to invest income from outcome payments to cover the cost of Work for the Dole?

Providers will continue to receive an Administration Fee for servicing job seekers while they are in Work for the Dole.Fees of $1000 (for a hosted Place) and $3500 for a group activity will also be available to offset the costs of the Work for the Dole place.

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3.21. Will any of the $1000 and $3500 for the Work for the Dole places be able to be kept by the provider?

As indicated in the Exposure Draft of the Employment Services 2015-2020 both payments are to offset the cost of establishing and maintaining the place(s). For individually hosted places, providers are required to pass all or some of those funds to the host and to keep a record of the of the amount of funding that was paid to the Host Organisation or for overhead costs relating to the job seeker for the activity. Group activity funding must be acquitted.

3.22. If job seekers are required to undertake 25 hours over three days per week are we requiring people to participate in Work for the Dole each day for longer than awards require and will hosts have to stay open longer to accommodate a job seeker undertaking Work for the Dole?

Job seekers undertaking 25 hours of Work for the Dole per week need to undertake those hours over 5 days and not 3. If spread equally across a normal working week, this would allow job seekers to undertake Work for the Dole for no more than 5 hours a day. The actual hours and arrangement of those hours will depend on the place the Host Organisation offers. It should be noted legislation explicitly excludes Work for the Dole participants from being considered as employees and therefore are not subject to any awards.

3.23. With only one Work for the Dole coordinator in an employment region and the capacity for organisations to bid to be a coordinator and an employment provider will there be a requirement for equitable distribution of places to all providers.

As part of the Request for Tender for Work for the Dole Coordinator services there will a requirement for Coordinators to distribute places they secure fairly. This will be an explicit requirement in the Work for the Dole Coordinator Deed and form part of their performance assessment.

3.24. Will JobAccess be available for job seekers who are undertaking a Work for the Dole placement?

We will take this issue on board and provide further advice but providers must consider the capability of job seekers to perform the tasks required in the place when referring them.

3.25. The Exposure Draft talks about Work for the Dole Coordinators and at various points indicates that the Coordinators are part of the request for tender which will be issued at the end of September.On the Employment Services Purchasing website it states the Tender for Work for the Dole Coordinators is closed.Could you please explain the apparent discrepancy in the information?

There are two different purchasing processes for Work for the Dole Coordinators.

The Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements released on 28 July 2014 describes arrangements for the procurement of The Request for Tender for Work for the Dole Coordinators to operate in 51 Regions across Australia from 1 May 2015. The Request for Tender is expected to be released in late September 2014.

The closed Request for Tender for Work for the Dole Coordinator services referred to on the Employment Services Purchasing website is for services in 18 selected areas from 1 July 2014 to 30 June

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2015 in relation to the phasing in of the Work for the Dole programme in 2014-15 in selected areas. The tender for Work for the Dole Coordinator services from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 is now closed.

3.26. It was stated that if a WfD Coordinator does not meet its KPIs its contract could be terminated. What would be the timeframe for this?

It is possible that a WfD Coordinator would be given a period of six months to improve its performance before a termination is initiated.

3.27. Section 2.11.5 of the Exposure Draft states that Work for the Dole Coordinators will be the first point of contact for potential Host Organisations wishing to offer Work for the Dole places.It is still likely that Employment Providers will contact potential hosts. This seems to contradict the previous statements about the reason for having only one WfD Coordinator in each area. How will the Department stop this form being a “free for all”?

While the WfD Coordinator will have primary responsibility for sourcing WfD activities it is expected that Employment Providers will still be able to source these through their existing networks.

3.28. There appears to be no linkages between Outcomes and the WfD Coordinator. Is this correct?

Outcomes for WfD Coordinators are linked to WfD placements not employment outcomes. Employment Provider will also not be credited with an Outcome for WfD placements. Fees are associated with the costs for establishing places and projects.

3.29. There will be a number of Employment Providers in each Employment Area. Why will there be only one WfD Coordinator?

WfD Coordinators will be required to establish relationships with a wide range of NGOs within the region. Having one WfD Coordinator will avoid the complications that may occur if multiple organisations were targeting the same NGOs.

3.30. If an Employment Provider sources an activity or WfD will the WfD Coordinator still receive a payment?

No.

3.31. Can you explain how the WfD Placement Fee will work? For example if an Employment Provider establishes a group activity will the WfDC be able to claim a fee for these places?

The WfD Coordinator will only be able to claim the fee for WfD places it has sourced.

3.32. How many times can a provider claim the $1000 payment for a WfD place? For example, if a job seeker commences in an activity which is subsequently found to be unsuitable for them will the provider receive a second payment when they place the job seeker in an alternate placement?

Payments will be made for places, but only when the first jobseeker to occupy each place commences. The answer to your example will therefore depend on whether the job seeker is the first person commenced in their second ‘place’.

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3.33. A significant lead time will sometimes be required where police checks are necessary prior to placement in WfD. This can sometimes take up to 3 months and may result in a finding that precludes participation in the activity. Will providers be penalised where these types of delays occur?

There are no changes to the current arrangements. It is understood that police checks will need to be undertaken and may take some time. Providers will need to arrange alternative placements for participants precluded from some activities.

3.34. Work for the Dole regions, is it the same fee structure for all regions and is that likely to change?

The Department is interested in feedback on regional boundaries, the way the regions are structured etc.

Work for the Dole Coordinator fees are the same regardless of whether it’s for major regional town or a town further out. Coordinators have a regional loading.

3.35. The Exposure Draft refers to approved activities and accredited training as well as Work for the Dole. What approved activities will there be? What is the criterion for non-Work for the Dole activity eligibility? And what outcomes will apply?

Table 2.4 outlines all mutual obligation requirements by age group. Job seekers can, for example, do part-time study, volunteering, part-time work, Defence Force Reserves, employability skills training and training in language, literacy and numeracy (some of which in combination) to meet their mutual obligations. However, whatever they do must meet the minimum hours outlined for their age group (i.e. 25 hours for under 30s and 15 hours for over 30s).

3.36. If a job seeker is undertaking a bridging course or a qualification less than a Cert III, based on their capacity, does this satisfy their mutual obligation/WfD requirements?

No. To meet their mutual obligation/WfD activity test requirements the job seeker must be participating in a Cert III or above, with the exception of the SEE programme.

3.37. Regarding the WfD – the payment is paid to the Provider for the place. Will Providers have to pay the WfD Co-ordinator out of this payment?

The Co-ordinator sources the places and enters them into the IT system for the Providers to utilise. The Co-ordinator does not have an ongoing role. It is not expected that a payment would be made to the Co-ordinator by a Provider. A payment may go to a Host.

3.38. Can an Employment Provider set up and run their own group based WfD activity?

Yes.

3.39. Is a mandatory for job seekers on an activity tested allowance aged between 50-59 to undertake a WfD Activity?

No, job seekers in that cohort can undertake an approved activity to meet their activity test requirements, such as volunteer work, however if no other activity is available or can be sourced, the job seeker may have to fulfil their requirement in an WfD activity.

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3.40. WfD job seekers will be required to complete 15 or 25 hours per week, which translates to attending an activity 2 days a week or 3 days and 2.5 hours per week using 7.5 hours per day as a standard day. The 25 hours a week Mutual Obligation will be unwieldy to administer because it requires hosts to provide supervision over 3 days and a part day. If the Mutual Obligation requirement was 3 full days only it would be possible to run activities over a 5 day week that would accommodate participants with a Mutual Obligation of 2 or 3 days/week with the same host.

The WfD requirement should be viewed as a six -monthly requirement of 690 hours/390 hours over the Mutual Obligation period. Some weeks the job seeker may complete less hours than the requirement but may make them up in the following weeks.

3.41. The Exposure Draft states that the suitability of the WfD place is determined by the WfD Coordinator or the Employment Services Provider. It was suggested that there should be a requirement for the Provider to assess the suitability of the job seeker for a WfD activity before referring.

The presenter confirmed that the Provider will have responsibility for referring Job Seekers to suitable WfD positions, taking into account the job seekers circumstances.

3.42. The WfD Coordinator is required to fairly distribute the WfD places amongst Providers by entering place details on systems. There needs to be clarification on the way the WfD Coordinator works with Providers in the region to share these places and work towards programme objectives.

The requirement for the WfD Coordinator to enter places on ESS is intended to ensure that the opportunities are shared with all Providers in the region. There could be a risk where a JSA provider is also contracted to be a WfD Coordinator and may give first preference to its own organisation and not fairly distribute places that it has sourced, without this control. The description of the way the WfD Coordinator works with Providers in the region will be reviewed prior to the release of the Request for Tender.

3.43. Will the KPI measure (be) placed on the WFD coordinator, the employment provider or both?

KPIs will be applied to providers and Work for the Dole coordinators. They will not necessarily be the same as their roles differ. As indicated in the exposure draft The Department will take advice from an Expert Reference Group on the performance framework for providers under the Employment Services 2015 Model, as well as for Work for the Dole Coordinators. Details on the measurement against the Key Performance Indicators will be provided before commencement of the Deed.

Please note that this answer has been changed since the original publishing.

3.44. You mentioned job seekers can undertake study to meet requirements. Is this just for the 30 plus cohort?

Job seekers will need to ensure that approved activities meet their WfD hours requirements, which may include a mix of activities as outlined in the Exposure Draft. Job seekers over 30 can also do eligible training (see table 2.4).

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3.45. If an organisation offers a CWC a WfD project (like a host organisation/not-for-profit organisation) what happens?

(Clarified that it is a WFD Coordinator, not a CWC.) If a potential host organisation offers Work for the Dole places (either individual or group based), the Work for the Dole Coordinator will be responsible for the fair and appropriate distribution of those places across employment providers in the employment region.

Please note that this answer has changed since the original publishing.

3.46. Does the Department have any modelling around the number of job seekers that will be expected to commence in WfD on day 1 of the new contracts?

The RFT will provide relevant Labour Market Information. As detailed in the exposure draft the Department is looking at the new employment region structure and expects to be able to provide historical data from previous ESAs into the New Region structure. Please note that this answer has changed slightly since the original publishing.

3.47. So a not-for-profit organisation could set up a WfD project and submit it to the WfD coordinator?

Yes, it is encouraged.

3.48. If a Host Organisation asked to take a Work for the Dole placement, is there scope for support for supply of equipment to facilitate placement, etc. (e.g. laptops)

The Work for the Dole Coordinator will source suitable Work for the Dole places and connect Host Organisations with Employment Providers.

The Employment Provider will be responsible for matching job seekers with suitable Work for the Dole places. A Work for the Dole fee of $1000 is available to the Employment Provider to offset the costs of the Host Organisation. The Employment Provider will negotiate what is required for the job seeker to be placed, such as working with vulnerable persons checks, specific work health and safety training, and essential tools and equipment.

3.49. WfD – Can Host Organisations expect potential candidates with appropriate training and skills for placement requirements?

This will depend on the role and the job seeker. Some job seekers will have existing skills; others may require specific or on the job training. The Employment Provider will match the job seeker to the activity and essential training which forms part of, or is required by, the activity can be provided.

3.50. Work for the Dole - Group versus individual – is it a 75:25 split?

Targets have not been set for the ratio of individual places to group activities; however a similar emphasis on hosted places is expected.

3.51. Will Employment Services Providers be expected to provide Group Work Experience activities (as well as the WfD Coordinators)?

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Hosted and Group activities will be sourced by both WfD Coordinators and Employment Services Providers, with most expected to come from WfD Coordinators.

3.52. With regards to the group activity $3,500 place fee, are Employment Services Providers expected to pay some of that money to the Work for the Dole Coordinator?

No. The WfD coordinator is not remunerated by Employment Services providers. The WfD Coordinator is paid separately by the department for gathering activities, doing fundamental checks and listing those activities for Employment Services Providers to access. Employment Services Providers will access the list of places within each activity, place job seekers and manage job seekers in those places. For hosted places the Employment Services Providers can negotiate with the host organisations if funds are needed. The funds for group activities will be acquittable.

3.53. Has an advantage been given for the upcoming tender to providers who have WfD Coordinators in other regions?

WfD Coordinators are phasing in in 18 identified locations initially and only to people aged under 30. There will be a different model operating from July 2015 with a larger cohort of job seekers and a national roll out.

3.54. Does the Work for the Dole Coordinator need to have a full time site, 9-5?

Chapter 3 of the ED states that Work for the Dole Coordinators must have a physical presence in the area, for example, appropriate office space. It also states that each Work for the Dole Coordinator must have one specified person in their organisation who will be the primary day-to- day contact for the Department for each Employment Region for which they are selected. These individuals must be located in the contracted Employment Region and preferably remain so for the period of the Deed.

3.55. The Exposure Draft states the WFD Coordinator will be paid per place. This is a “one off” payment and will be required to be continually monitored and over time the number of places could increase. It would be fairer to pay the WFD Coordinator for each place once the required hours (690 or 390 hours) are completed.

This requirement will be reviewed prior to the release of the Request for Tender.

3.56. Whatever the prescribed number of job searches is, will job seekers have to do that number whilst in Work for the Dole?

Yes

3.57. There is a criticism that current JSA services lack diversity. How will the new approach offer more genuine choice to job seekers?

The 2015 model is much less prescriptive than the current model so will provide opportunities for providers to take quite different approaches. For instance, after the initial interview providers will be able to determine appropriate servicing arrangements for job seekers (other than when the job seeker is required to undertake a mutual obligation activity). The selection criteria in the Request for Tender will ask tenderers to indicate the strategies they intend to implement to deliver employment services to a diverse range of job seekers.

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3.58. For an “off benefit” outcome to be valid will a job seeker need to be fully off benefits throughout the 26 week period or just by the end of the 26 week period?

As Full Outcomes will be paid when a Job Seeker gets a job and moves fully off income support, it is expected that Job Seekers will not be in receipt of an income support payment for the whole 26 week period. Ref. 2.15.3 in the Exposure Draft.

3.59. Will providers still have a 28 day timeframe for anchoring a placement (after the job seeker’s employment start date)?

Further advice on the timeframes for anchoring a placement will be provided in the Request For Tender document.

3.60. Can more advice be provided around determining “Reasonable Excuse” and payment preclusions in relation to job seeker compliance?

More information will be made available through guidelines that accompany specific training that will being delivered prior to the start of the new arrangements. Please note that the Under 30 years payment measures are contingent of the passing of particular legislation.

3.61. There was a question in Melbourne about stream A job seekers claiming further outcomes even if 4 week outcome was not payable.

As long as the Stream A job seeker’s employment start date is after they have been in employment services for three months, providers will be eligible to claim 4, 12 and 26 Week Outcomes where the relevant Deed requirements are met. If a job seeker does not meet the requirements for a 4 Week Outcome, they will still have the opportunity to meet the requirements for a 12 Week and 26 Week Outcome. The 4 Week Outcome is not a prerequisite for the 12 Week Outcome.

3.62. In regards to Outcome payments, you will align eligibility with Centrelink payment fortnights to simplify claiming. Is there work being done around delays in employers paying, job seekers not or under-declaring and the misalignment with Centrelink payments. Will you have provision for special claims?

The new 4, 12 and 26 Week Outcome periods align better with Centrelink payment periods and income that is declared. In addition, flexibility in the way that outcome start dates will be recorded will address issues related to delays in employers paying job seekers and allows for non/under declaration of earnings to be identified early during in an outcome period. There will be some provision for special claims, although it is expected these will only be required under exceptional circumstances.

3.63. With Work for the Dole, can it be underpinned with certified training?

WFD activities can only include training if it forms part of, or is required by the WFD activity. Under no circumstances can training represent the majority of the WFD activity, and there should be minimal classroom type training. Examples of acceptable training include:

work health and safety training ‘on the job’ training related to the placement

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use of tools and equipment to be used in the placement.

Subject to their age group and circumstances, job seekers may meet some or all of their mutual obligation requirements through certain part-time study as set out in Table 2.4 of the Exposure Draft.

3.64. The way WFD is outlined in the Exposure Draft is very similar to the arrangements currently being rolled out in the WFD trial. Can a provider still run a WFD project and is the provider responsible for things like activity management, acquittals, etc.? Is the WFD coordinator a facilitator?

Yes. A provider may run a Work for the Dole group based activity subject to the requirements set out in the Deed and supporting guidelines, including accountability for expenditure. Should a provider run such an activity they will have the same requirement s as any other Host Organisation.

Work for the Dole Coordinators will be contracted to help source sufficient Work for the Dole places and they will work closely with Host Organisations and providers.

3.65. Seeking clarification on WFD - so we would be able to hire a bus to transport people to a WFD project but could not use our own bus? Currently, with group based projects in the current contract we can draw down the costs of hiring vehicles through the EPF, will we be able to do this through WFD funds?

$3500 is allocated per place in a group-based activity for WFD and providers must utilise this money to cover the costs of the activity. However, it will be at the discretion of the provider, in negotiation with the Host Organisation, as to whether some or all of the the costs of this item is covered by the Work for the Dole payment (eg the payment could cover petrol costs or the provider or the Host organisation may wish to donate the service).

3.66. If barriers are affecting the job seekers participation in Work for the Dole, can we make counselling mandatory?

This will not be made compulsory as it is difficult to insist that job seekers attend counselling.

Refer to Table 2.4, Stream C interventions to contribute to Work for the Dole hours.

3.67. Where job seekers reach 2 years unemployed and are transferred to another provider, will it affect the existing provider’s business share or will they be allocated this business share back?

Stream A Jobseekers who remain unemployed for 2 years (3 years for streams B & C) will move to another provider along with their market share. Providers who are not able to secure employment for job seekers within those timeframes can expect their market share to reduce unless they receive similar numbers of jobseekers who are being moved from other providers at the same time.

3.68. With transfers, providers must accept all transfers. How does this apply when the client is aggressive/violent?

Section 84 of the Exposure Draft Deed (published as addenda #4 on the AusTender website) allows providers to tailor each contact with job seekers to meet the circumstances of each individual job seeker. If a client is known to be violent or aggressive, it is acceptable for the provider to not require face to face interaction with that job seeker.

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3.69. I am concerned that very disadvantaged job seekers who require longer term interventions such as drug and alcohol counselling will be pushed into WfD too quickly. How will the circumstances for job seekers that require these types of interventions and longer term assistance to become job ready be managed to ensure requirements placed on them are not unreasonable?

Job seekers will be required to participate in activities to meet their annual mutual obligation requirements. This will generally be done through participation in Work for the Dole. Employment Providers will need to take Stream C job seekers’ individual circumstances into account to determine whether the job seeker is able to undertake a Work for the Dole activity. These job seekers are able to participate in appropriate non-vocational interventions in order to address their non-vocational barriers. These hours will contribute towards meeting their total mutual obligation requirements.

3.70. How is WfD activity appropriateness and price determined?

Work for the Dole activities will be identified by Work for the Dole Coordinators or Employment Providers and both are required to secure suitable places. The provider is responsible for determining if the identified activity is suitable and appropriate for the individual job seeker. The Employment Provider will work with the Host Organisation to develop the activity (both individual hosted activities or group-based activities), including details relating to the job seeker participation in the activity and relevant costing. Employment Providers receive $1000 for each six month place in an individual hosted activity and up to $3,500 for each six month place in a group-based activity. Employment Providers must use these fees to offset costs of the Host Organisation or to cover the costs of the job seeker undertaking the activity.

3.71. Referring to the part-time study requirements to meet annual Work for the Dole requirements on page 31, the table refers to studies that lead to the achievement of a Certificate III in a skills in demand area. Are these skills in demand National or locally focused?

What is considered a ‘Skills in demand’ will be determined on a national, state and regional basis. The Department will be providing advice on this issue to providers in guidelines.

3.72. Has a ratio been set between individual and group based Work for the Dole activities post July 2015 similar to that being applied as a guide in the 2014-15 Work for the Dole Phase-in?

No ratio was set in the 2014-15 Work for the Dole phase in and none have been set in the Exposure Draft.

No ratios have yet been set. Section 2.2 of the 2014-15 Work for the Dole Coordinators services RFT stated: Targets will be set for securing places and in relation to the proportion between individual and group activities (for example 75 per cent individual places and 25 per cent group activities) depending on the nature and geography of the selected area. Targets will also be set in each Employment Region from 1 July 2015. As stated in the Exposure Draft at section 3.4: Each region will have indicative targets to be achieved. Information on indicative targets will be provided in the Request for Tender.

3.73. Is the sole fact that a WFD Coordinator is also an ES provider in the same employment region considered a Conflict of Interest to which Clause 15 of the WFD deed would apply?

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The Department does not perceive that there is a conflict of interest for an Employment Provider to also tender to be a Work for the Dole Coordinator in the same Employment Region.

3.74. If the answer to question (1) is ‘yes’ can this matter be 'resolved or otherwise dealt with’ as required by clause 15 (other than ceasing to be both an ES provider and a WFD coordinator)? If yes, can you provide some examples of how this conflict might be resolved?

Not applicable

3.75. If the answer to question (1) is ’no’, can you provide further information on how the potential for bias (and resultant disputes) will be managed?

The performance of all Work for the Dole Coordinators will be measured and monitored by the Department against the requirements of the Work for the Dole Coordinator Services Deed, including Key Performance Indicators. A complaints mechanism will be utilised to identify any issues and these will be managed through contract management practices and programme assurance activities that underpin the performance framework.

3.76. What happens to a 29 year old job seeker that is just about to completed WFD and then turns 30. Will they be required to do it again straight away?

As outlined in the Exposure Draft section 2.10.3 Job Seekers have an annual Work for the Dole requirement.

If a Job Seeker has met their Work for the Dole requirement for the 12 month period they would then enter the six month Case Management Phase, regardless of if their age changed during this period.

3.77. I am trying to build a business case for our organisation to be a host and provide training to the job seekers but am having difficulty in understanding the financial proposition?Would you confirm please that a Host organisation may receive, in negotiation with the EP, a maximum of $1000 for individuals or if in a group, $31,500 to cover the activity and supervisor looking after a group of nine potentially belligerent job seekers? Is it correct that this money should also stretch to include the cost of basic training such as 1st aid, OHS which would be in the vicinity of $300 per individual?Other than for purely charitable reasons, can you explain why a host organisation would take such a risk and agree to supervise the potentially difficult individuals and groups for such meagre remuneration?

As outlined in the Exposure Draft in addition to other payments, an Employment Provider may be entitled to a Work for the Dole Fee of $1,000 per six month individual hosted place and up to $3,500 for each six month place in a group activity.

The fee should be used to offset the costs of the Host Organisation or to cover the costs of the Job Seeker undertaking the activity. This is for the cost of items including supervision, training and required equipment. The amount passed on to the Host Organisation by the Employment Provider is negotiated between them and is dependent on the nature of the place.

Reasons Host Organisations may decide to host Work for the Dole activities would be a decision specific to each individual organisation and what they believe they are able to offer. However, by hosting a Work

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for the Dole place an organisation can assist job seekers to gain the skills and experience they need to move from welfare to work. Participating job seekers can also contribute to organisations through the activity they are undertaking.

Employment Providers are required to maintain regular contact with job seekers who are placed in Work for the Dole activities as well as with Host organisations. Hosts should raise any attendance problems with the Employment Provider as each job seeker is obliged to attend their Work for the Dole activity for prescribed periods.

3.78. Who will manage the day-to-day operations of Group Activities?Section 2.11.1 states “Employment Providers…..Will be responsible for managing places and group activities. They will work collaboratively with Work for the Dole Coordinators.Section 2.11.3 states “However, Employment Providers will be responsible for matching Job Seekers with suitable activities and managing and servicing them once they are in either individual hosted or group activities”.Section 2.11.5 states that “Work for the Dole Coordinators will ensure the Group activities always have a dedicated supervisor working closely with the Work for the Dole Job Seekers”.Section 2.11.8 states “A Work for the Dole fee of up to $3,500 will be available for each six months place in a group-based activity. This is for the cost of items such as supervision and equipment”.Can both Employment Providers and Work for the Dole Coordinators manage group activities on a day-to-day basis?If Work for the Dole Coordinators can manage group activities, employ and pay supervisors and provide insurance, vehicles, tools and equipment etc. Will they be entitled to the Work for the Dole Fee of up to $3,500.If not, can the Employment Providers sub-contract to the Work for the Dole Coordinators?

Work for the Dole coordinators may foster the development of group activities and help assess proposals for group activities. Work for the Dole Coordinators will not be responsible for the day to day management of group activities. Employment Providers are responsible for managing group activities including sourcing a dedicated supervisor for each activity who will be responsible for the day to day management of the activity.

The Work for the Dole coordinator role will include ensuring that there is adequate supervision in place for the activity, but it is not their responsibility to manage the activity and be involved on a daily basis.

Work for the Dole Coordinators are not entitled to the Work for the Dole Fee as they will not be responsible for the management of group activities.

Employment Providers cannot sub-contract the management of activities to Work for the Dole Coordinators.

3.79. Young people who have left school (post 17) and have not transitioned to further education or employment are one of the groups most at risk in Australia. In regards to this:1. What service provision is available through the Employment Services Exposure Draft to reduce the numbers of young people who do not see Employment Providers and/or Work for the Dole Coordinators as an option to assist them to move into employment?

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2. What strategies will be used by Human Services to help identify these young people and encourage them into appropriate work readiness programs like Work for the Dole?3. Will there be (in the Employment Services RFT) an early intervention strategy and funding, to help identify this difficult to access cohort? If so, will support be provided to engage young people and direct them to Employment Providers, to ensure they don’t become long term unemployed?

1. Young people who are claiming activity tested income support will be required to participate in employment services or education and training (unless they are exempt). Services to assist young people move into employment will be based on their personal circumstance and may include Work for the Dole, training, work experience, access to wage subsides or other services depending on need and in consultation with the job seeker. The exposure draft invites tenderers to outline their own innovative servicing strategies that are tailored to the demographics and labour markets of each region. This could include strategies, within the bounds of Mutual Obligation policy, that are specifically targeted at unemployed youth.

2. Under Employment Services 2015-2020, the Department of Human Services will remain the gateway to employment services for most job seekers. The service stream the job seeker will commence into will be determined by the Job Seeker Classification Instrument (JSCI) assessment (for Streams A and B), or where needed, an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) for Stream C.

3. Providers will be encouraged to engage young people who are not participating in employment, education, or training. Young people not receiving income support would be able to receive time limited services of up to six months to build their skills and help them to navigate the local labour market.

4. Statement of Requirements – NEIS

4.1. Will NEIS Providers receive the Mid-Deed price adjustment?

No. The Mid-Deed price adjustment applies to Employment Providers only.

4.2. Will alternative online NEIS Training be allowed under the new guidelines instead of face to face?

The Department’s preference is for NEIS Providers to deliver face-to-face NEIS Training unless circumstances exist where mixed mode delivery is more appropriate and cost-effective, such as in rural and regional areas. Appropriate supervision and monitoring throughout the delivery of NEIS Training via mixed delivery will still be required.

4.3. Under the new model it notes that 80 per cent of the funding for NEIS is payable when the business starts and the remaining 20 per cent on completion of the program. Does that mean that the funding is paid when it is determined that the participant’s business model is viable?

Section 4.8 - The NEIS fee will be paid:

80 per cent of the NEIS fee on achievement of a Commencement (that is, a business start-up) 20 per cent of the NEIS fee on achievement of a post-programme outcome.

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The payment of a post-programme outcome fee is not determined by the viability of the NEIS participant’s business model.

A NEIS post-programme outcome occurs when the Department verifies that a former participant is not receiving income support from the Department of Human Services, 13 weeks after exiting NEIS. For participants previously in receipt of Parenting Payment (single), Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or War Widower/s or Partner Service Pension a post-programme outcome occurs if the participants are in employment (at least 20 hours per week) 13 weeks after exiting NEIS.

4.4. In relation to NEIS does the payment to the providers include the cost of certificate training?

Yes. The 80 percent NEIS fee paid on commencement of the NEIS participant in NEIS Assistance includes the costs involved with arranging the NEIS Training.

4.5. Red tape – can you confirm that JSA providers do not have to have subcontracts with each NEIS provider they have a relationship with?

Yes, in Employment Services 2015 individual NEIS Providers will be contracted to the Department, and as such, service contracts and sub-contracts will not be required between Employment Providers and NEIS Providers.

4.6. Stream 1 Limited are currently not eligible for NEIS program. Will under 30s be eligible for NEIS in the new programme? Can under 30s who are not receiving the dole still be referred to NEIS as currently, if they are not receiving income support, they can’t be referred to NEIS.

An under 30s job seeker could be considered eligible for NEIS if they meet all NEIS eligibility criteria. However, participation in NEIS is competitive and NEIS Providers do not have to accept all NEIS referrals for job seekers, even where a job seeker may meet eligibility. For further information, refer to section 4.7 of the Exposure Draft.

4.7. NEIS – how will red tape be cut?

From July 2015, individual NEIS Providers will be contracted to the Department, and allocated business in an Employment Region, giving more certainty around business levels over the period of the Deed (subject to satisfactory performance). As such:

the NEIS panel will no longer exist. There will be up to three NEIS providers in each Employment Region.

services contracts and sub-contracts are no longer required the single NEIS Provider fee structure will halve the current process for claiming NEIS Fees the interaction of Employment Providers and NEIS Providers with the Departments IT system in

relation to NEIS will be simplified.For further information refer to sections 4.3, 4.8 and 7.4 of the Exposure Draft.

4.8. Is NEIS a complementary programme or an activity under the 2015 model and will we still need subcontracts?

NEIS is an activity that a job seeker can nominate as part of developing their Job Plan with their Employment Provider. In 2015 individual NEIS Providers will be contracted to the Department and, as such, service contracts and sub-contracts with Employment Providers will not be required.

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4.9. It states that Job Seekers have to be off allowance for three months post the receipt of NEIS allowance. Does the 3 months relate to post allowance receipt or post program completion?

To claim the post-programme outcome, the calculation is three months after exiting NEIS Assistance.

4.10. In relation to the timing of the training, how long do they have to do it? At the moment, they have a 13 week activity period to do it.

A job seeker commenced in NEIS Training will not be required to undertake job search or participate in a Work for the Dole Activity for up to 13 weeks to allow them to complete their training.

4.11. If a client chooses to do NEIS but they have already done NEIS training, does a NEIS provider get any payment for that?

If a NEIS Participant had commenced in NEIS Training or Assistance before or on 30 June 2015, receiving NEIS 2012-2015 Services under a NEIS Participant Agreement, or as a NEIS 2012-2015 Prospective Participant, a NEIS provider would continue to be eligible to claim the relevant fees under the 2012-15 arrangements from 1 July 2015.

Job Seekers may be exempt from part or all of NEIS Training because they possess some, or all, of the necessary competencies as a result of their work or life experiences, previous training, and/or qualifications. From 1 July 2015, if Recognition of Prior Learning is applied or if a Job Seeker (who is not covered by the NEIS transition arrangements) has completed training that meets the requirements of NEIS training, the NEIS provider is entitled to the full 80 per cent NEIS Fee on commencement of the Participant in NEIS Assistance.

4.12. Will NEIS providers, have a performance framework and star ratings?

NEIS will have a performance framework (refer section 4.10 of the Exposure Draft)

4.13. Will NEIS providers receive a fee for any job seekers transferring to them from other NEIS providers?

NEIS transition arrangements are described at section 4.12 of the Exposure Draft. The Department does not expect any participant transfers as a result of new purchasing arrangements starting from 1 July 2015. Participants already commenced in NEIS Assistance by 30 June 2015 should continue to receive services from their current NEIS provider for the remaining term of their NEIS Participant Agreements.

4.14. NEIS job seekers need to be off allowance for 3 months for a NEIS provider to be eligible for an outcome. Is this 3 months from the end of NEIS allowance at 39 weeks, or from the end of mentoring at 12 months?

Twenty per cent of the NEIS fee is paid on achievement of a post programme outcome, that is, the Participant is not on income support three months after exiting NEIS Assistance. The Participant may exit the programme at 12 months or earlier. The post programme outcome period is not related to the NEIS Allowance period.

4.15. Can NEIS business plan approvals and commencement take place before the accredited training completion?

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Job seekers do not have to successfully complete their NEIS Training before their NEIS business plan is approved by their NEIS provider and the job seeker starts-up their NEIS business. All job seekers should, however, be encouraged to satisfy all of the required competencies to be awarded the relevant small business management qualification.

4.16. I am interested in finding out more detail about NEIS programme. Is there an info site dedicated to this?

There is information available on the existing NEIS programme on the departmental website www.employment.gov.au. There are changes to NEIS under the Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements. Details of the new services are outlined in Chapter 4 of the Exposure Draft.

4.17. I am interested in what training programmes NEIS must contain?

NEIS Training is either the Certificate IV Small Business Management or the Certificate III Micro Business Operations (refer section 4.4 of the Exposure Draft). It is expected that NEIS Training will be delivered by an accredited Registered Training Organisation (RTO) that has one or both qualifications in scope. If the NEIS provider is also an RTO, then the NEIS provider may deliver the training.

4.18. How does JSA ensure not compromising NEIS learning so the candidate gets the skill set required. Is the onus on JSA to pick the right providers or is it at the discretion of the student to decide which provider to use?

With regard to NEIS Training, from 1 July 2015, the NEIS Provider will be responsible for arranging the appropriate training, not the Employment Service Provider.

Where a job seeker shows interest in self-employment, the Employment Service Provider should refer the job seeker to a NEIS Provider located in their Employment Region. A job seeker is able choose their NEIS provider and should be referred accordingly.

A NEIS Provider’s performance will assessed against a Performance Management Framework,. For further information, refer to sections 2.16.4, 4.4, 4.6, 4.7 of the Exposure Draft.

4.19. Can you clarify when the Provider will receive the 20 per cent payment for a NEIS participant remaining “off benefits”?

To claim the post-programme outcome (20 per cent), the calculation is three months after exiting NEIS Assistance and remaining off income support.

4.20. What is the incentive for NEIS providers to provide ongoing mentoring to NEIS participants for the full 52 weeks? How will the Department monitor this?

NEIS providers must arrange or provide mentor support for all NEIS Participants for the first 12 months of the business operation. This is part of the core service NEIS providers will be contracted to deliver. For further information refer to section 4.5 of the Exposure Draft.

NEIS will have a performance management framework. Details on the measurement against Key Performance Indicators will be provided prior to the commencement of the Deed. For further information refer to section 4.10 of the Exposure Draft.

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4.21. Will there be any changes to business eligibility for NEIS?

At this stage, there are no anticipated changes to the existing NEIS business eligibility requirements. For further information refer to section 4.7 of the Exposure Draft.

4.22. Under the NEIS program is a subcontracting considered to be a viable business eg. Government tender?

The business eligibility criteria for NEIS are described at section 4.7 of the Exposure Draft..

4.23. Can you clarify NEIS subcontractor arrangements?

In 2015 individual NEIS Providers will be contracted to the Department, and as such, service contracts and sub-contracts as operate now with Job Services Australia providers will not be required.

4.24. Will job seekers under 30 be eligible for NEIS?

An under 30s Job Seeker could be considered eligible for NEIS if they meet all NEIS eligibility criteria. However, participation in NEIS is competitive and NEIS Providers do not have to accept all NEIS referrals for job seekers, even where a Job Seeker may meet eligibility. For further information, refer to section 4.7 of the Exposure Draft.

4.25. Regarding NEIS objectives – the documents states that NEIS is to ‘support job outcomes for eligible unemployed Australians by helping 6,300 Job Seekers per annum start up their own small business following participation in nationally accredited small business training and approval of a business plan’. Does this statement imply that training must complete prior to the business plan being approved?

Job seekers do not have to successfully complete their NEIS Training before their NEIS business plan is approved by their NEIS Provider and the Job Seeker starts-up their NEIS business. All Job Seekers should, however, be encouraged to satisfy all of the required competencies to be awarded the relevant small business management qualification.

4.26. What is the intention of an even flow of commencements?

NEIS providers will have a known number of NEIS places to use over each six month performance period. NEIS providers will determine when those NEIS places will be used. However, NEIS providers will be encouraged to arrange their business activities so that places are available over the entire performance period to ensure business continuity for job seekers. The Department is keen to avoid situations where NEIS places are used early in a performance period leaving little or no NEIS places available for the latter months of a performance period.

4.27. Where a job seeker has to travel (and no public transport is available) within a regional area to access NEIS training (e.g 70 km or more) is petrol allowance available to the job seeker?

Employment Providers will have discretion to use the Employment Fund to support job seekers including prospective NEIS participants as per current arrangements, as long as the Employment Provider can demonstrate that the assistance meets the principles outlined in 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft, and is in accordance with any Guidelines.

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4.28. You have identified the 15-17 year olds and the NEIS group, what type of funding is available for say the long term unemployed?

Outcome payments are based on both level of a job seeker’s disadvantage as well as their length of unemployment. A wage subsidy for Long Term Unemployed job seekers will also be available. Details are at 2.9.9 of the Exposure Draft.

4.29. We are NEIS providers only and work closely with the JSAPs. My question is under the old PPP training places NEIS places were separated from the actual training place.

This meant that a jobseeker could undertake the pre NEIS training to assess the viability of not only their business idea but also their own suitability for running a business during the 13 week pre-NEIS training period. It also meant for the NEIS provider that if at the end of the pre-NEIS training they did not choose to go onto NEIS their place was not wasted and could be utilised by another job seeker who could take advantage of that place.

This system was (in my opinion as a provider) the best option the Government has ever adopted. It allows us as providers with limited NEIS places to put another person through the pre NEIS training at our own cost (as we would have already been paid for the previous Jobseeker) and utilize the unused NEIS place not executed by the previous jobseeker who for whatever reason decided at the end of training not to go onto NEIS. I would encourage the Department to utilise this option again for the 2015-2020 NEIS contract.

Under the proposed 2015 NEIS model (as detailed in the recently released Exposure Draft) training places will not be separately allocated to NEIS providers, as has been the case under the current Deed.

Rather, successful Tenderers will be allocated a number of NEIS places in nominated Employment Regions. A NEIS ‘place’ is used when a job seeker has participated in the prescribed small business management training, has had their business plan approved by their NEIS provider and is about to commence NEIS Assistance (i.e., start-up the approved NEIS businesses). It is at this point that NEIS providers can claim the 80% commencement fee of $4464.

Under this model, it will be up to NEIS providers to select and train suitable job seekers for the volume of NEIS Assistance places they have available for any performance period in question. NEIS providers will do this at their own cost and in sufficient volumes they think necessary in order to fill their NEIS ‘places’ in their nominated Employment Regions. Please note that there are no payments or fees under the proposed 2015 NEIS model specifically attached to job seekers commencing in or completing NEIS training.

The proposed 2015 NEIS model would not seem to preclude your organisation from continuing to conduct “pre-NEIS training” sessions provided the job seeker’s referring employment service provider agrees, and that the job seeker complies with any activity test requirements they may have. Please note that job seekers can only be granted an activity test exemption once they formally commence the prescribed NEIS small business management training, and generally this exemption lasts for up to 13 weeks.

4.30. With reference to the 20% NEIS “off benefit” payment – how will a provider know whether a NEIS participant has reapplied to for an allowance with DHS?

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NEIS providers will be notified regarding their eligibility for a post programme outcome (final 20 per cent). It is expected that this feature will form part of the Department’s IT system design for 2015.

4.31. Will Newstart clients not in receipt of Newstart Allowance (Under 30 unemployed - 6 months waiting period) be allowed to do NEIS even though they are not receiving any payment?

Yes, Employment Services eligible job seekers, who are not in receipt of Newstart Allowance and in a waiting period, are considered eligible for NEIS if they meet all NEIS eligibility criteria.

4.32. Stream 1 Limited are currently not eligible for NEIS program. Will under 30’s be eligible for NEIS in the new programme? Can under-30s who are not receiving the Dole still be referred to NEIS as currently, if they are not receiving income support, they can’t be Referred to NEIS.

An under 30’s job seeker could be considered eligible for NEIS if they meet all NEIS eligibility criteria. However, participation in NEIS is competitive and NEIS Providers do not have to accept all NEIS referrals for job seekers, even where a job seeker may meet eligibility. For further information, refer to section 4.7 of the Exposure Draft.

4.33. It is not uncommon, after or during having delivered the Cert IV in business for a participant’s business model to be considered unviable or the participant to receive an employment outcome instead. Under that model, it means that if those scenarios occur then the training is delivered for free. Can that be looked at please?

The NEIS provider is responsible for delivering or arranging NEIS training. Where NEIS training incurs a fee or is delivered by the NEIS provider, the cost of NEIS Training for all job seekers selected to take part will be met by the NEIS Provider. NEIS providers, therefore, need to carefully select job seekers who have a realistic and viable business idea, and a commitment to NEIS participation, prior to enrolling them in NEIS Training. As is currently the case, NEIS providers will be expected to work with the job seekers to rework or redevelop their proposed business idea to a stage where their business plans can be approved. If these attempts are not successful and the job seeker’s business idea is still not viable, the NEIS provider should refer the job seeker back to their Employment Provider. Potential NEIS Providers need to factor these circumstances into their business model for their tender.

4.34. I note that under the NEIS candidates must complete a particular course. I would like to know who is expected to deliver the course. Apart from the service of the JSA, what sort of funding for training are all job seekers entitled to and what are the rules for attending training?

Employment Providers will be able to seek reimbursement through the Employment Fund for training that relates to a specific job. (Exposure Draft 2.9.7 refers)

When a job seeker has a Mutual Obligation requirement, they must undertake a certain number of hours per fortnight in an approved activity; these hours vary depending on age and circumstance. For further information refer to 2.10.1 of the Exposure Draft.

The only training that can be used to meet a job seeker’s Mutual Obligation requirement is Part-time Study, in an area of skills shortage, leading to a certificate III, participation in Skills in Education and Employment (SEE) Training or a combination of activities. For further information refer to 2.10, Table 2.4 of the Exposure Draft.

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4.35. Section 1.2 provides for ‘a mid-contract price adjustment for administration fees and outcome payments to Employment Providers to ensure that they can continue to deliver the same level of service over the life of the contract.’ However, I note that this will not apply to NEIS Providers. Can you please explain why you do not expect NEIS providers to experience the same cost increases over the life of the Contract as Employment Providers?

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme fees are fixed across the life of the contract to allow the Government, within the funding available, to retain 6300 business start-ups per year for the next five years.

4.36. Can you please explain why the fee structure is unchanged from the 2009 fee, the last time there was a price adjustment for NEIS? There are only very small reductions in the administrative requirements proposed for the new NEIS model, which will not offset the cost increases which providers have experienced since 2009, and will continue to experience in 2015-20. In addition, 20% of the new fee will not be available to providers until up to 12-15 months after the participant commences in NEIS.

A new fee structure for NEIS was introduced in 2009 as part of the implementation of NEIS as a job seeker activity under the Job Services Australia model and the decision by the then Government that NEIS Training would be funded and delivered through the Productivity Places Programme. The single NEIS fee of $5,580 (GST inclusive) quoted in the Exposure Draft is the combination of the current NEIS Training fee ($4,100 GST inclusive) and the NEIS Mentoring fee ($1,480 GST inclusive) which have been in place since 1 July 2012.

With regard to the 20% three month post-programme outcome payment, NEIS providers will be able to claim the payment three months after the job seeker exits NEIS Assistance, regardless of when they exit. The proposed 2015 NEIS fee structure has been designed to be consistent with the job seeker outcome focussed fee structures proposed for Employment Service providers.

4.37. There does not appear to be a regional loading ‘In recognition of the additional costs associated with delivering services in regional locations’ for NEIS, as there is for Employment Providers (2.15.1). If that is correct, can you please explain why NEIS providers will not experience additional costs for delivering in regional areas, although Employment Providers will?

New Enterprise Incentive Scheme fees exclude regional loadings to allow the Government, within the funding available, to retain 6300 business start-ups per year for the next five years.

4.38. (a) Does a participant exit NEIS, for the purposes of attracting the final 20% of the fee, at the cessation of NEIS Allowance (after up to 39 weeks), or at the cessation of business mentoring and coaching (after up to 52 weeks)?

To claim the three month post-programme outcome payment (20 percent) the calculation is three months after the job seeker exits NEIS Assistance, regardless of when they exit. The post-programme outcome fee is not related to the NEIS Allowance period.

4.39. If a participant exits NEIS after say six months (for any reason or may have even been terminated) and remains off benefit, will the final 20% payment still be made 3 months after they exit NEIS ? or must a participant complete 39 or 52 weeks for a provider to be eligible for the final 20% payment ?

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Yes, as noted above to claim the three month post-programme outcome payment (20 percent) the calculation is three months after the job seeker exits NEIS Assistance, regardless of when they exit. The post-programme outcome fee is not related to the NEIS Allowance period.

4.40. What is the definition of ‘face-to-face’? Eg, Do the RTO personnel have to be physically in the room with the trainee, or is phone, skype or Go To Meeting acceptable?

“Face-to-face” means that NEIS Training is delivered in a traditional classroom environment where both job seekers and RTO personnel are present. However, in some circumstances, such as in rural and regional locations travelling costs and time can be an issue, it will be acceptable to use other methods such as Skype or Go To Meeting to deliver the prescribed NEIS Training. Appropriate supervision and monitoring of such training will still be required.

4.41. Will 100% of training have to be ‘face-to-face’? If not, what proportion will be acceptable?

The Department does not intend to be highly prescriptive on this issue. It will be up to the NEIS provider/RTO to decide the best combination of ‘face-to-face’ training delivery and delivery by other methods/modes, taking into consideration the characteristics of the Employment Regions they service and the location of job seekers and sites.

4.42. If so, is that 100% of the nominal hours for the qualification? Or of some other measurement?

See above answers.

4.43. What are the circumstances that will allow mixed mode?

See above answers.

4.44. What process will providers have to follow to gain permission to deliver in mixed mode? Can the department guarantee that this process will not increase ‘red tape’ and therefore costs?

Tenderers will be required to detail their proposed service delivery model (including the delivery of NEIS Training and NEIS Mentoring via mixed mode approaches) for the Employment Regions they wish to service. If tenderers are offered NEIS business as a result of their tender, and have proposed to deliver services using mixed mode approaches, it would be reasonable to assume that the Department has also approved the application of mixed mode delivery approaches by the tenderer. The approval would also apply for the life of the Deed unless otherwise advised by the Department. Under these circumstances there is no need for “increases in ‘red tape’ or provider costs”.

4.45. Will providers have certainty about the future places they will have available? Specifically, will places be allocated for the full contract period? Or allocated annually? Or allocated for each six monthly performance period?

NEIS places will be allocated to successful tenderers based on their tender submission for the full Deed period with a number of NEIS places allocated for each six month performance period.

4.46. ‘NEIS Providers are responsible for ensuring an even flow of commencements over the performance period.’ Can you please provide more information about this requirement?

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As mentioned in the answer to Question 6, NEIS providers will have a known number of NEIS places to use over each six month performance period. NEIS providers will determine when those NEIS places will be used. However, NEIS providers will be encouraged to arrange their business activities so that places are available over the entire performance period to ensure business continuity for job seekers. The Department is keen to avoid situations where NEIS places are used early in a performance period leaving little or no NEIS places available for the latter months of a performance period.

4.47. On what basis will the Department give approval to transfer places between regions? What conditions must be met?

In cases where the uptake of NEIS places in an Employment Region is below expectations, NEIS providers may, with the approval of the Department, seek to transfer a portion of their allocated places to another Employment Region. (Section 4.9.)

The Department expects that business awarded to a NEIS provider in an Employment Region will be used in that Employment Region. If all NEIS providers are experiencing difficulties in utilising NEIS places in an Employment Region, there may be a case for the transfer of unused NEIS places to another Employment Region. However, in cases where one NEIS provider is experiencing difficulty utilising their NEIS places, and the other NEIS providers are not, that one NEIS provider may be required to ‘show cause’ as to why they should not have a portion of their NEIS places reallocated during business reallocation to higher performing providers in the Employment Region.

4.48. Can you please confirm that the allocation of NEIS places will occur annually (not half yearly as is currently the case). An annual allocation enables providers to take account of seasonal factors and hence we support annual allocations. We understand that places will still need to be spread across the year.Seasonal factors will also impact on the Work for the Dole program as councils and community groups in some areas will prefer to run programs (or not to run programs) at certain times of the year.

NEIS places will be allocated every six months. It is anticipated that unused places can be rolled over across periods (December/January) within a financial year. Successful tenderers will know the volume of places allocated each six months for the life of the Deed.

4.49. In the current selection criteria relating to NEIS in the exposure draft for employment services 2015 - 2020 it states in selection criterion 1: Demonstrated Performance, that for providers delivering services within a region the department will use existing performance data for a provider.When an existing NEIS provider wishes to tender for a region in which they do not currently deliver NEIS services is the department going to use existing performance data for the provider? I have noticed in the Employment Services criterion the provider can nominate an existing area as a basis for this performance data.

Yes, existing performance data will be used where possible.

Tenderers wishing to deliver Employment Services in an Employment Region they do not currently service should supply evidence and the details of referees that may verify their claims. Evidence could include identifying existing data, based on a comparable region they currently service.

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Tenderers should also ensure that they describe the services they have provided and how they are related to the services being tendered. Where possible, Tenderers should use quantitative data as well as qualitative information to support their claims.

(Refer 7.10.6.)

4.50. The NEIS tender draft - 2.3.1 strategies to PROVIDE services to clients, such as recruitment or liaising with stakeholders.Can you please confirm if the use of the term ‘client’ means NEIS participants and if recruitment relates to recruitment of NEIS participants/clients or recruitment for NEIS participants/clients, i.e. when they have commenced their business?

Your question relates to 7.10.6 Criteria 2. Clause 2.3.1 does not exist.

Yes, the term ‘client’ means a NEIS participant.

Recruitment refers to the recruitment of specialised staff to assist with the delivery of services to NEIS participants or liaison with stakeholders such as Employment Providers or other small business specialist services, for example, financial services or marketing assistance.

5. Statement of Requirements – Other Programmes

5.1. Are the Harvest Areas identified in the Exposure Draft?

No, Tenderers for Harvest Labour Services will be required to identify potential Harvest Areas and substantiate their claims for the need for Harvest Labour Services within these Areas. For further information refer to section 5.2.2 of the Exposure Draft.

5.2. What happens if there’s an area which has need of harvest labourers but no one bids to provide services?

In horticultural areas where there is not a Harvest Labour Service, local growers and employers will be able to be assisted by Employment Providers, the National Harvest Labour Information Service and Australian JobSearch to source harvest labourers.

5.3. Since 2006, my organisation has been delivering Harvest Labour Services from our Kununurra premises to growers in the Kimberley region. I intend to submit a tender for the 2015-2020 period but would like to obtain clarification regarding the definition of some terms used in the Exposure Draft, namely, “ Horticultural producers” and “growers of fruit, nuts and vegetables” Do you have a broader/clearer definition of what will constitute harvest work for the 2015-2020 period?

The Employment Services 2015 – 2020 Draft Deed, available from the AusTender website, provides the following definition for Harvest Work:‘Harvest Work’ means work that includes:(a) harvesting, cleaning and packing fruit and vegetables(b) harvesting cereals and other crops

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(c) pruning and trimming vines and fruit trees(d) thinning and trimming flowers(e) chipping and weeding(f) operating harvesting equipment (g) other like activities.“Other like activities” do not include any activities outside horticultural industries.

5.4. The draft deed states:“The Provider must provide a Harvest Placement service in the Harvest Areas during the Harvest Period, by supplying the labour necessary to meet the Harvest Work requirements of Harvest Employers” The intention of the program is to help primary producers source labour in areas that do not have sufficient local population to fill their needs.would be grateful if you can elaborate on the definition of “Harvest Work“ as per the description in the Draft Deed.Specifically, “Harvest Work” can be interpreted as tasks undertaken in the harvesting of plants. However chipping and weeding (as defined in the deed as suitable “Harvest Work “activities) are clearly tasks included in the actual production phase of growing a crop. Therefore, it can be implied that “other like activities” undertaken in the production phase of growing a crop can be classified as “Harvest Work”. Activities such as planting, for example, often planting tasks require individuals to manually undertake the operation and logically, planting should be included as a “Harvest Work” activity.Secondly, I am also interested to learn the Department’s definition of “Horticulture Industries “as per the Draft Deed “Other like activities” do not include any activities outside horticultural industries.” In the areas I am currently intending to submit tenders to supply Harvest Labour Services, there is a large diversity of plantation and field crops grown and would like to ensure we can provide the HLS to all growers.

The Draft Deed provides the specific definition of Harvest Work as:

Work that includes:(a) harvesting, cleaning and packing fruit and vegetables(b) harvesting cereals and other crops(c) pruning and trimming vines and fruit trees(d) thinning and trimming flowers(e) chipping and weeding;(f) operating harvesting equipment(g) other like activities.A description of “(g) other like activities” has been provided to you in a previous response. The Department of Employment uses the meaning of Horticulture as defined in the Horticulture Award 2010 and also includes the subcategory of broad-acre field crops as defined in the Pastoral Award 2010.

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6. Funding and payments

6.1. Please provide information about the funding for The Illawarra and South Coast regions please?

Payments to Employment Providers are described at Section 2.15, to Work for the Dole Coordinators at section 3.5 and to NEIS providers at section 4.8 of the Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 Purchasing Arrangements. The payments to an Employment Provider in a Region will depend on the number of job seekers on their caseload, their Stream, whether the Region attracts the Regional Loading and the outcomes achieved. As indicated at Section 7.8 of the Exposure Draft, maps and key labour market data for the Employment Regions will be published for the Request for Tender process on the Department of Employment’s Labour Market Information Portal at www.lmip.gov.au.

6.2. What can the Employment Fund be used for – will there be more detailed guidelines?

Further details on the Employment Fund will be available in the draft Deed and RFT as they are released. Funding will be more tightly directed than the current Employment Pathway Fund to support Job Seekers to build experience and skills to meet employers’ needs and get a job. Provider services are not included except for post-placement support.

6.3. Funds from the Employment Fund are not necessarily credited to an individual client but that Providers can amass for group activities. Does the Job Seeker have any say in the amount credited to his/her job seeking needs?

Individual Job Seekers are not able to direct how Employment Fund credits will be spent. The credits are pooled (into a notional bank account) and the Provider decides the best way to utilise the funding. The funds must be spent helping Job Seekers get into work or closer to the workforce. Some Job Seekers may not need any funding spent on them while others may require significantly more to get them into the workforce.

6.4. I have noticed that Job Placement Fees are not part of the new fee structure.

There will be no Job Placement fee. There will be three Outcome payments, which will be paid at four, 12 and 26 weeks. The four week Outcome Payment recognises that jobs of four weeks provide skills for job seekers that they can use for placement in longer term jobs. For further information, refer to section 2.15.3 of the Exposure Draft.

6.5. Can wage subsidies be paid from the Employment Fund?

Youth and Restart wage subsidies will be separately reimbursed through the Employment Fund. Providers will also manage wage subsidies for other long-term unemployed (LTU) job seekers using the additional Employment Fund credit of $990 for each job seeker unemployed for 12 months (excluding those attracting the Restart and Under 30 wage subsidies). A Provider may be able to use the Employment Fund for additional wage subsidies which meet the eligibility and payment criteria for the LTU Wage Subsidy subject to guidelines to be provided by the Department.

6.6. When will you be able to claim the outcome fee if a job seeker starts work?

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To minimise red tape and administrative burden, most outcome payments will be paid based on DHS records where the requirements for a four, 12 or 26 week Outcome have been satisfied after the job seeker commences in the job. Ref: Section 2.15.3 Exposure Draft.

6.7. Is an Outcome Payment affected by Found Own Employment versus provider generated?

Employment Provider Outcome Payments in Employment Services 2015-2020 do not distinguish between whether the job was found by the job seeker (also known as Found Own Employment (FOE) or the Provider. The only distinction is between partial and full outcomes.

6.8. Is there a subsidy for indigenous job seekers or is this held up in the PM&C changes?

There is no separate wage subsidy available for Indigenous job seekers as part of the Employment Services 2015 model.

6.9. It is noted that there are wage subsidies for particular groups of Job Seekers (eg. mature aged). Will wage subsidies also be available for other cohorts?

Targeted wage subsidies will be available for mature age Job Seekers, eligible young people and long term unemployed Job Seekers. For further information refer to section 2.9.9 of the Exposure Draft.

6.10. Will providers be able to claim another administration payment if a Job Seeker is ‘upstreamed’?

No. The Administration Fee is paid to an Employment Provider for each six months they are working with a Job Seeker. As long as the Job Seeker remains with the same Provider an additional Administration Fee cannot be claimed if the Job Seeker changes stream in the same six month period. It should be noted the Administration Fee is different for the existing service fees for Job Services Australia stream services and the amount is the same regardless of the stream the Job Seeker is in.

6.11. The Exposure Draft indicates the Employment Fund cannot be used to pay for contacts specified in the service agreement. Can you clarify?

This is a change from the current arrangements. It is not the intention for Provider contacts with job seekers to be funded through the Employment Fund. A Provider will be expected to deliver the service it specifies in its bid from the organisation’s resources. For further information refer to section 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft.

6.12. Will Employment Fund credits transfer with a Job Seeker when they move to a new provider?

Employment Fund transfers will be worked out on a proportionate basis between relinquishing and receiving Providers, as indicated at section 2.7.4 of the Exposure Draft. The Department is working through the details of this and will provide additional information.

6.13. Can wage subsidies be paid from the Employment Fund?

Youth and Restart wage subsidies will be separately reimbursed through the Employment Fund.

Employment Providers will also manage wage subsidies for other long-term unemployed (LTU) job seekers using the additional Employment Fund credit of $990 for each job seeker unemployed for 12 months (excluding those attracting the Restart and Under 30 wage subsidies). A Provider may be able to

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use the Employment Fund for additional wage subsidies which meet the eligibility and payment criteria for the LTU Wage Subsidy subject to guidelines to be provided by the Department. (NESA)

6.14. How has the regional loading been applied?

Section 2.15.1 of the Exposure Draft states, “In recognition of the additional costs associated with delivering services in regional locations, a loading of 25 per cent will be applied to the Administration Fees and Outcome Payments for Employment Providers in the Employment Regions identified by the Department as Regional. Further details will be provided with the Request for Tender. See Appendix D for the Employment Regions which attract a Regional Loading.” The regional loading applies to the whole of each Employment Region specified at Appendix D.

6.15. Can Providers pay for job seekers’ insurance from the employment pathway account if they go onto NEIS under the new Contract?

Employment Providers will have discretion to use the Employment Fund to support job seekers including NEIS participants to achieve employment outcomes as long as the Employment Provider can demonstrate that the assistance meets the principles outlined in 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft, and is in accordance with any Guidelines.

6.16. In relation to the Employment Fund, can a definition of “Should” be provided to ensure providers understand how to apply this term in relation to expenditure that should not be drawn down from the Employment Fund? Additionally, can “Specific” also clarified in relation to expenditure for Specific Training.

The RFT and guidelines will provide guidance on the use of the Employment Fund, in particular any services or items which will be specifically excluded.

In terms of Specific Training, the Exposure Draft states that the Employment Fund can be used for specific, targeted training that will assist the Job Seeker in obtaining employment; any purchases of training must be in accordance with the principles set out in 2.9.7 and any guidelines. There is clear expectation training will result in an employment outcome and it should be targeted towards gaining employment. There should be a clear link between training provided and the jobs available in the local labour market, however there does not have to be a specific job or vacancy to expend these funds. There is still some discretion for the provider but if the provider was spending a high amount of their Employment Fund on training and not getting employment outcomes, this would be considered in performance discussions.

It should be noted that in the Mutual Obligation Phase, only certain training will meet a job seeker’s mutual obligation requirement (for example, Part-time study leading to a certificate III in a skills in demand area with hourly requirements dependent on the age/circumstances of the job seeker; Skills for Education and Employment training with hourly requirements dependent on the age/circumstances of the job seeker. Refer Table 2.4.

6.17. Can you discuss the thinking behind the difference in Employment Fund transfers for transition job seekers and credits for general referrals throughout the contract?

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In most cases, a transition job seeker would have had Employment Pathway Funds (EPF) already spent on them prior to transition and therefore they do not receive the same credit as a new job seeker referral.Similar to current EPF arrangements providers will have flexibility to use the Employment Fund credits to fund interventions for both a single or multiple job seekers.

6.18. Will Outcome claims only be available when a PTAT or PWC job seeker reduces their benefit or will they be based on hours worked? This will be taken as feedback.

Outcomes for all job seekers will be tested firstly on the basis of income support and then on the basis of hours worked. If job seekers with hourly participation requirements do not meet the income support benchmarks the Outcome will then be measured against their hours worked. This also applies to Part Time Activity Tested or Partial Work Capacity job seekers. For definitions of Full Outcome and Partial Outcome, refer to Annexure A1 – Definitions of the Draft Employment Services Deed.

6.19. Page 47 of the Exposure Draft refers to a mid-Deed price adjustment of 7.8% for Administration Fees and Outcome Payments. Will the mid-Deed price adjustment also apply to Employment Funds credited after the price adjustment?

The mid-Deed price adjustment referred to at 2.15.7 of the Exposure draft applies only to Administration Fees and Outcome Payments and will not apply to Employment Fund Credits.

6.20. Please can you respond to a question regarding the application of the mid-Deed price adjustment to Employment Fund credits?Page 47 of the Exposure Draft refers to a mid-Deed price adjustment of 7.8% for Administration Fees and Outcome Payments. Will the mid-Deed price adjustment also apply to Employment Funds credited after the price adjustment?

The mid-Deed price adjustment referred to at 2.15.7 of the Exposure draft applies only to Administration Fees and Outcome Payments and will not apply to Employment Fund Credits.

6.21. I have a question in relation to application of the Employment Fund in the Employment Services 2015-20 model. The exposure draft provides that there is a one-off credit to the Employment Fund of $300/$850/$1200 for Stream A/B/C jobseekers respectively (as set out in Table 2.2). The exposure draft also provides (at 2.17.4) that 'All Job Seekers who transition to the Employment Services 2015 Model will be eligible for a transition Employment Fund credit’ and Table 2.11 sets out these credits. It would seem that there are three possible interpretations of this information: 1) That jobseekers commenced (in the JSA system) on or before 30 June 2015 will attract only the credits set out at Table 2.11 and jobseekers commenced after 1 July 2015 only will attract the credits set out in Table 2.22) That jobseekers commenced (in the JSA system) on or before 30 June 2015 will attract both the credits set out in Table 2.2 and the credits set out in Table 2.11, with jobseekers commenced after 1 July 2015 attracting the credits set out in Table 2.2 only. 3) That all jobseekers will attract the credits set out in Table 2.2 and in addition those jobseekers that transition to a new provider will receive the credits set out in 2.11.

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Can you please advise which of the above interpretations is correct? If none are correct, can you please advise the correct interpretation?

Job Seekers will only attract one Employment Fund credit depending on whether they are an existing Job Seeker transitioning into the Employment Services 2015 Model or newly registered Job Seeker from 1 July 2015.

Table 2.11 provides the Transition Credits that will apply to each existing Job Seeker who will transition into the new Employment Services 2015 Model. The amounts listed in Table 2.11 are mutually exclusive. Each transitioned Job Seeker will attract the Transition Credit Amount listed in Table 2.11 once depending on whether they transition into general servicing (in which case, the Credit Amount for Stream A, Stream B or Stream C will apply) OR into the Mutual Obligation Phase (in which case, the Credit Amount for Stream A – Mutual Obligation, Stream B – Mutual Obligation or Stream C – Mutual Obligation will apply). How each Job Seeker will transition is outlined in Table 2.9.

Table 2.2 sets out the credits applied to new Job Seekers entering into the new Employment Services 2015 Model for 1 July 2015.

6.22. Section 2.15.3 states ‘Employment Providers will be eligible to begin a claim for an Outcome Payment for a Stream A Job Seeker only after they have been unemployed for three months’. At the information session we attended, we were told if a placement was anchored prior to the 3 month period, a Job Seeker would still be eligible for a 12 week and 26 week outcome (if these were outside the 3 month period). This seems at odds with answer 2.63 where it is stated ‘the period that counts towards outcome payments for Stream A job seekers starts after they have been in employment services for three months’. Could you please clarify whether the 12 and 26 week outcome claims would be payable if the placement was anchored prior to the 3 month point?

Providers will only be able to claim 4, 12 or 26 Week Outcomes where a job seeker commences in employment and the relevant Outcome Start Date is after the job seeker has been in employment services for a period of three months.

6.23. The Exposure Draft refers to a $990 Employment Fund credit “for LTU wage subsidies” (2.9.7 / page 23). There is also a separate reference to LTU wage subsidies of $6,500 (2.9.7 / page 24), which appear to be paid directly to the employer. Is the $990 ADDITIONAL to the $6500 LTU wage subsidy? And can providers use the $990 only for wage subsidies or can it be used for other interventions?

A credit of $990 for each eligible job seeker will be credited to the Employment Fund for the Long Term Unemployed (LTU) wage subsidy (refer to section 2.9.7 of the Exposure Draft). This money is separate to the Restart wage subsidy of $10,000. The LTU wage subsidy credit of $990 is credited to a pool of those funds and each Employment Provider will prioritise job seekers who will receive this particular subsidy of $6,500 (refer to Table 2.3 of the Exposure Draft). While the $990 credit is demand driven, this design will automatically restrict the number of wage subsidies available.

6.24. The Administration payment will not be available unless Job Seekers are on the books for three months. We are also not eligible to claim outcome payment unless they have been on books for three months?

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Pretty big hole in budget when 55% is Stream A and no admin payment or outcome for getting work in three months.

The new 4, 12 and 26 Week Outcome periods align better with Centrelink payment periods and income that is declared. In addition, flexibility in the way that outcome start dates will be recorded will address issues related to delays in employers paying job seekers and allows for non/under declaration of earnings to be identified early during in an outcome period. There will be some provision for special claims, although it is expected these will only be required under exceptional circumstances.

6.25. So as to avoid any doubt, can you please confirm the following scenario. If a successful tenderer for Employment Services 2015-20 was a new entrant to an Employment Region (i.e. was not previously a JSA provider) and was allocated an initial caseload of 1000 existing (formerly JSA) jobseekers of which 550 were Stream A, 280 were Stream B and 170 were Stream C - and for each stream the number of jobseekers in the Mutual Obligation Phase was 50% - the one-off Employment Fund credit for these jobseekers would be $160,625, made up of the following: Stream A: 550 x $50 = $27,500Stream B: (140 x $300) + (140 x $150) = $63,000 Stream C: (85 x $550) + (85 x $275) = $70,125I appreciate your patience with this matter - I will have no further questions on this topic if the above can be confirmed. Answer previously supplied: Job Seekers will only attract one Employment Fund credit depending on whether they are an existing job seeker transitioning into the Employment Services 2015 Model or newly registered job seeker from 1 July 2015.Table 2.11 provides the Transition Credits that will apply to each existing Job Seeker who will transition into the new Employment Services 2015 Model. The amounts listed in Table 2.11 are mutually exclusive. Each transitioned Job Seeker will attract the Transition Credit Amount listed in Table 2.11 once depending on whether they transition into general servicing (in which case, the Credit Amount for Stream A, Stream B or Stream C will apply) OR into the Mutual Obligation Phase (in which case, the Credit Amount for Stream A - Mutual Obligation, Stream B - Mutual Obligation or Stream C - Mutual Obligation will apply). How each Job Seeker will transition is outlined in Table 2.9.Table 2.2 sets out the credits applied to new Job Seekers entering into the new Employment Services 2015 Model for 1 July 2015.

Yes the total of Employment Fund credits would be $160,625 based on the following calculationsStream A: 550 x $50 = $27,500Stream B: (140 x $300) + (140 x $150) = $63,000 Stream C: (85 x $550) + (85 x $275) = $70,125

6.26. Why is there no Partial Outcome payments for a 26 week outcome?

There is no Partial Outcome for a 26 week Outcome Payment because the Employment Services model is focussed on getting Job Seeker’s off benefit by placing them into ongoing, sustainable jobs. The structure of the payments is designed to promote performance and generate employment outcomes for Job Seekers. The payment of a Full Outcome at 26 weeks is designed to support this aim.

Section 2.15 of the Exposure Draft of the RFT refers.

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6.27. Why can’t you get an outcome Payment for an Overseas job? The job seeker would be off benefits.

Australian Government employment services are delivered by contracted Job Services Australia providers for all job seekers entitled to work in Australia. Under the contract, providers deliver a service to both Australian job seekers and Australian employers. There is no provision under the contract that covers the placement of Australian job seekers in overseas employment – as an Australian taxpayer-funded service, it is important that Australian job seekers and Australian employers receive the benefits of the contract.

6.28. Could we get clarification of a Skills Assessment as it relates to the Employment Fund. Are cognitive assessments or assessments such as CMyPeople eligible for reimbursement from the Employment Fund?

Skills Assessment costs may not be funded through the Employment Fund. Business strategies such as the use of supplementary assessment tools are considered differentiators in service offerings between competing bidders. As such they are regarded as being part of the unique service delivery model that your organisation is proposing and therefore factored into your administration and outcome payments.

6.29. Will we be eligible four 4 week Outcome Fees over a 12 month period if we place the job seeker with the same employer. When does the 12 month calendar year period clock start?

Yes. You will be able to claim up to four 4 Week Outcomes in any 12 month period (not calendar year) for any employment positions that meet Outcome requirements. Every time a provider attempts to claim a 4 Week Outcome, the Department’s IT system will check how many 4 Week Outcomes have been claimed in the previous 12 months for that job seeker, before allowing a claim to be lodged.

6.30. Looking at the Youth Wage Subsidy, it appears that the first payment can be paid at Six months and can be the entire $6500, where the other wage subsidies are very prescriptive to payments and timeframes. Am I missing something?

Up to $6,500 may be paid to eligible employers to hire a Job Seeker under 30 years old who are included in the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers under 30 measure. Further information on payment frequency will be provided closer to the commencement date.

6.31. I need to clarify if pre-employment preparation is defined as training and as such cannot be funded from the EP except if the jobseeker is going into a specific job. Providers will deliver pre-employment preparation and post-recruitment back-up, so that employers can expect more Job Seekers to have the skills and attributes they need to be recruited and stay in a job.The following items should not be funded through the Employment Fund:• training that is not directly related to a specific job• any additional contacts with Job Seekers beyond those specified in your Service Guarantee• mentoring outside post placement support• outreach servicing• Provider transport costs• skills assessment costs • reverse marketing.

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There is a clear expectation training will result in an employment outcome and it should be targeted towards gaining employment or targeted at preparatory activities linked to employment.

7. Purchasing Arrangements

7.1. Section 7.10.4 notes that in the case of a Request for Tender, a 30% weighting will be placed on providers who performed the highest within their ESA. How relevant is the previous star ratings to the new regime? And will we be advised on how best to align our tender application to reflect our previous performance?

The Department will take into account any current performance and other data help by the department for existing providers. For applicants who have not delivered Job Services Australia or other employment services in the past, there is an opportunity to demonstrate how other services they may have delivered relate to their ability to deliver employment services. Specific guidance regarding this criterion is available at section 7.10.4 of the Exposure Draft. More details on how this will operate will be included in the RFT.

7.2. Is it possible with the size of this tender to have the capacity to include attachments to submissions and see once submitted that they are attached?

The Department will not accept any attachments submitted with a tender response on AusTender with the exception of those requested as part of the Tenderer’s submission.

7.3. Can an organisation tender as part of a consortium and also in its own right in the same Employment Region?

No. A Tenderer must not compete against itself within an Employment Region by submitting alternative tenders. For more information regarding this matter please refer to section 6.4.9 of the Exposure Draft.

7.4. Criteria 2 and 3 for Employment Providers have to be addressed at the organisational level and the Employment Region level. How will they be read in the assessment process?

The intention with these Criteria is that Tenderers will be able to describe their broader, organisational level strategies once only, and then be able to focus on their tailored strategies for each separate Employment Region. In assessing the bid for each Employment Region, both the organisational level and region level components will be considered.

7.5. Will a list of registered parties be made available to interested third parties and sub-contractors in the request for tender?

The Department has not sought registration of parties for the purposes of sharing that information and does not propose to make a list available.

7.6. If you need to have 25 per cent demonstrated performance - how does a new provider apply?

The 25 per cent relates to the proposed weighting for the ‘Demonstrated Performance’ Selection Criterion for the National Harvest Labour Information Services. The ‘Demonstrated Performance

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Criterion’ has a proposed weighting of 45 per cent For Harvest Labour Services and 30 per cent for each of the other services. In responding to the ‘Demonstrated Performance’ Criterion, Tenderers which have not been employment services providers would draw on other performance information, for example, outlining their performance in the delivery of similar services.

7.7. Will there be a contract rollover?

Successful Tenderers will be offered five year Deeds. Options beyond the five year Deeds have not been considered at this stage.

7.8. With regard to ESA/Employment Regions, are tenderers permitted to tender for an ESA within an Employment area, or must they tender for the entire employment area?

For Employment Services 2015-2020, the existing Employment Services Areas will be replaced by 51 Employment Regions to encourage greater efficiency through economies of scale. Tenderers will be required to tender to provide employment services across the whole Employment Region.

7.9. What are consortium members’ responsibilities in gaining certification against an approved quality standard?

All consortium members, including the appointed lead member, are liable for the Deed and must gain certification against an approved Quality Standard. The four Department approved quality standards are ISO 9001; National Standards for Disability Services; Employment Services Industry Standard; or Investors in People. A provider may choose the standard that is best for their business purposes. The Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) builds on each of the above standards and all consortium members will be required to attain certification against the QAF within 12 months of the new Deed commencing .

7.10. Are subcontractors required to meet the Quality Standards?

No, subcontractors are not liable for the Deed and do not need to gain quality standards certification. However, the organisation(s) responsible for the Deed will be required to gain certification against an approved Quality Standard and the Quality Assurance Framework and may require its subcontractors to comply with certain processes or practices to assure quality of services .

7.11. What is a consortium?

A consortium is a group of individual legal entities that lodge a tender collectively. Refer to section 6.4.3 of the Exposure Draft for more information. A consortium must appoint a lead member to act as agent for the other member entities.

7.12. If my organisation is part of a group tender for a selection of employment regions, is my organisation also permitted to submit a separate tender for employment regions that are not part of the group tender bid.

If your organisation is part of a group tender, it may submit a separate tender for Employment Regions that are not part of the group tender bid. Section 6.4.9 of the Exposure Draft provides information on competing entities.

7.13. If a group tender is successful, is it only the lead agency of the group that holds a deed or contract with the department on behalf of all entities in the group.

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A consortium, or other alliance, must appoint a lead member entity to act as agent for the other member entities. The lead member entity must be authorised to negotiate, act on behalf of and contractually bind each member of the consortium (refer to section 6.4.6 of the Exposure Draft).

7.14. If my organisation is part of a group tender which of the following applies in the tender submission process:a. Separate tenders are lodged by each group partner for employment regions that they intend to service with the lead agency for the group and tender group name identified.b. One tender is submitted by the lead agency on behalf of all entities that are part of the group tender.

Each Tendering Group must be a group of individual legal entities that lodges a tender collectively (refer to section 6.4.3 of the Exposure Draft)

7.15. If an entity is submitting a tender as part of a group bid, can it separately submit a tender for Harvest Labour Services, the National Harvest Labour Information Service and Work for the Dole Co-ordinator.

An entity that is part of a group bid could separately submit its own tender for services for which the group was not bidding.

7.16. Could you please clarify the requirement for referees?7.12.3 p 128: ‘In the Tender Response Form all Tenderers will be requested to provide contact details for two referees and a short description (up to 250 characters) of their dealings with this referee.’But on Pages 115,118,120,122: ‘Tenderers that have not delivered employment services on behalf of the Department should supply evidence and the details of referees that may verify their claims.’

The advice on these pages provides guidance on how to respond to the Criterion Demonstrated Performance to prospective Tenderers that have not previously delivered employment services on behalf of the Department of Employment. Tenderers that have not delivered employment services on behalf of the Department should provide evidence by describing services they have provided and how they are related to the services being tendered.

In providing the contact details for the two referees, Tenderers should ensure these referees are ones that can verify the claims documented in the Tenderer’s response to the Demonstrated Performance Criterion.

7.17. Would you please clarify proposed response requirements for 7.10.4 Criterion 2 and Criterion 3? Is the response one combined response covering both the organisational level and the Employment Region level with a character limit of 25,000 or is the response two separate responses one at the organisational level and one at the Employment Region level with a character limit of 25,000 each (totalling 50,000)?

The process for finalising the drafting of our Request for Tender will take feedback on the character limits for organisational and region specific responses to selection criteria into consideration and provide clear instructions on how to respond to Selection Criteria.

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7.18. Will the RFT allow attachments?

Section 7.11 of the Exposure Draft states that the Department will not accept any attachments submitted with their tender response on AusTender with the exception of those requested as part of the Tenderer’s submission.

7.19. The selection criteria for both governance and demonstrated performance ask providers to detail audits undertaken and outcomes actions as a result of those audits (or certifications in the case of governance and any non-compliances and remedial actions required). In the case of Criterion 1, this includes all audits undertaken in relation to any contracts held at local/state/federal or international government level. Do providers have to respond to this information as part of the Criterion 1 word count or in a separate attachment?

Tenderers will be required to include details of quality standards non-compliance issues and/or audits, as well as any remedial action undertaken as a result of issues identified, as part of the total response to the relevant criterion and within the allowed character limit.

7.20. Clause 7.10.2 A Guide When Tendering for Services, Table 7.1 Guide for Tenderers to Complete the Selection Criteria Relevant to the Services Being Tendered on page 112-113 of the Exposure Draft states that when bidding for the Employment Provider Services, Tenderers should complete Criterion 2 and 3 “Once at the Organisational Level” and “Once for each Employment Region” for which they are tendering.At Clause 7.10.4, Employment Provider Selection Criteria, at Criterion 2 on Page 116, the Criterion Response is split into two sections. The first six Selection Criterion are prefaced by the following instructions: Your response should address, but is not limited to, at the organisational level and then proceeds to request a range of information at the organisational level.On page 117, the next four Selection Criterion in the same Criterion are then prefaced by the following instructions: For each Employment Region for which your organisation is tendering, you should also describe the specific strategies you will adopt to achieve outcomes for job seekers. Your response should address, but is not limited to, how your organisation will: and then proceeds to request information specific to the Employment Region.Criterion 3 requests that we Demonstrate the general and local strategies your organisation will use to meet the needs of employers. Can you please clarify firstly whether the intention is that Tenderers respond to Criterion 2 and 3 separately and entirely at an organisational level and then separately and entirely at an Employment Region level, and if so, is the intention that Tenderers respond to the second half of Criterion 2 also in the organisational response, or separately at a regional level? If so, is the intention that Providers present:• 8 pages at an organisational level, and then• 8 pages at an Employment region level for each Employment region for which they intend to bid for business; or• Alternatively, is the intention that Tenderers respond to the first six responses of Criterion 2 at an organisational level, and then the last four responses at an Employment Region level, in a single response of eight pages?• Finally, is it the intention that Tenderers respond to Criterion 3 as one eight page response, addressing organisational and local strategies?

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The department will consider all feedback in relation to character limits/page counts in final drafting of the Request for Tender for Employment Services 2015-2020. The RFT will provide clear instruction on how to respond to the selection criteria for each of the services being tendered.

7.21. Can we have guidance in a similar format to the use of consortiums to bid, for joint ventures (incorporated and unincorporated)?

A Joint venture is a when two or more legal entities, however constituted, and other than a partnership, come together to form a short-term partnership with the purpose of undertaking a specific project, in this case where the members of the joint venture enter into an arrangement for the purposes of jointly delivering Employment Services. It is usual that a lead member of the joint venture is appointed with authority to act on behalf of all members of the joint venture.

An unincorporated organisation is not a legal person and will not be contracted by the Department, and cannot be a member of a joint venture.

Individuals operating as sole traders are considered to have legal personality and can be a member of a joint venture.

Tenderers should make their own independent assessment and investigations, and obtain their own legal, business and other professional advice on, and in relation to, the Request for Tender and its requirements.

7.22. For a joint venture, would each of the parties coming together as part of that joint venture, be consider a related entities to the joint venture (incorporated or unincorporated)?

Joint venture members are separate legal entities. Where more than one legal entity is a signatory to a deed each of those entities is jointly and severally liable for:• the performance of all of the obligations under the Deed• all losses caused by any Subcontractor engaged for the purpose of the Deed.Tenderers should make their own independent assessment and investigations, and obtain their own legal, business and other professional advice on, and in relation to, the Request for Tender and its requirements.7.23. Would each of the parties (incorporated or unincorporated) in a joint venture need to have

Quality Principles accreditation or will they be consider as one for Quality Principles accreditation or will the joint venture standalone need to be accredited?

A joint venture is when two or more legal entities, however constituted, and other than a partnership, come together to form a short-term partnership with the purpose of undertaking a specific project, in this case where the members of the joint venture enter into an arrangement for the purposes of jointly delivering Employment Services. It is usual that a lead member of the joint venture is appointed with authority to act on behalf of all members of the joint venture.

An unincorporated organisation is not a legal person and will not be contracted by the Department, and cannot be a member of a joint venture. Tenderers should make their own independent assessment and investigations, and obtain their own legal, business and other professional advice on, and in relation to, the Request for Tender and its requirements.

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Where a joint venture is contracted by the Department, the lead member of the joint venture will be required to gain Quality Assurance Framework certification including certification against the Department’s Quality Principles. Other member(s) of the joint venture will be included in the certification process to the extent that all sites included in the Deed Schedule will be in scope for the site sample, during the audit.

7.24. Requirements for Referees – do existing JSA providers need to provide referees, do we need referees for each bid e.g. NEIS, WfD, Employment Service, can we decide to give referees anyway?

As stated in section 7.12.3 of the Exposure Draft, ‘all Tenderers will be requested to provide contact details for two referees and a short description (up to 250 characters) of their dealings with this referee’. Only one set of referees will be required for the Tender ie referees are not required at the bid level.

7.25. Can we provide attachments such as flow charts, and how can we ensure they are counted as part of the tender evaluation?

As stated at section 7.11 of the Exposure Draft, ‘the Department will not accept any attachments submitted with their tender response on AusTender with the exception of those requested as part of their Tenderer’s submission’.

7.26. Thank you for your replies, however I am still not clear on the Q&A below. My question sought clarification on the apparent discrepancy between pages 128- ‘all tenderers’ and pages 115-122- ‘tenderers that have not delivered employment services’. Could you please tell me which is correct? Due to this apparent discrepancy, the wording of these pages should be reviewed to ensure that the requirements are clear.Could you please clarify the requirement for referees? 7.12.3 p 128: ‘In the Tender Response Form all Tenderers will be requested to provide contact details for two referees and a short description (up to 250 characters) of their dealings with this referee.’ But on Pages 115,118,120,122: ‘Tenderers that have not delivered employment services on behalf of the Department should supply evidence and the details of referees that may verify their claims.’ Answer provided at question 2572 ‘The advice on these pages provides guidance on how to respond to the Criterion Demonstrated Performance to prospective Tenderers that have not previously delivered employment services on behalf of the Department of Employment. Tenderers that have not delivered employment services on behalf of the Department should provide evidence by describing services they have provided and how they are related to the services being tendered. In providing the contact details for the two referees, Tenderers should ensure these referees are ones that can verify the claims documented in the Tenderer’s response to the Demonstrated Performance Criterion’.

The advice on these pages provides guidance on how to respond to the Criterion Demonstrated Performance to prospective Tenderers that have not previously delivered employment services on

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behalf of the Department of Employment. Tenderers that have not delivered employment services on behalf of the Department should provide evidence by describing services they have provided and how they are related to the services being tendered.

All Tenderers, regardless of whether they are currently contracted to the Department of Employment, must provide contact details for two referees who can verify the claims documented in the Tenderer’s response to the Demonstrated Performance Criterion.

7.27. Will the 2015 contract provide for a payment to providers for provision of job search facilities? If yes, what amounts will be claimable?

No

7.28. Should a tenderer submit one response to the Governance criteria that details their Governance arrangements for each contract they are bidding for – e.g. Employment Services, Harvest Labour, Work for the Dole etc?

No, as noted at section 7.10.2 and 7.10.3 of the Exposure Draft, all tenderers are required to address the Governance criterion once at the organisational level. Please note that tenderers must respond to all relevant selection criteria for each Service for which they are bidding within one submission.

7.29. Can you tell me if a Partnerships fits the competing entities information in the same way that a consortium does. The way I have interpreted the information is that if an organisation partners with another and one of them become the lead agent then the partner cannot tender under their own right in the same ER.

A ‘partnership’ is considered a ‘Tendering Group’. As such, members of the Tendering Group cannot submit tenders in their own right in the same Employment Region.

8. Bidding for Business and Tender Evaluation

8.1. Are you able to give any rough indication on when tenders might be due and when we find out the results?

Feedback from consultations closes 25 August 2014. We envisage releasing the Request for Tender in late September and for it to close in early November. It will be open longer than the Government’s usual requirement of 25 calendar days, to allow more time for high quality tenders. The intention would be finalise the tender evaluation and announce decisions around April to allow time for successful providers to secure offices and staff and before Employment Services commence on 1 July 2015.

8.2. If responding to more than one tender, will there be opportunity to submit separate responses to the Governance criterion, that is, per tender submission? Or will there only be an option to respond to the Governance criterion once? Please advise

As noted at section 7.10.2 and 7.10.3 of the Exposure Draft, all tenderers are required to address the Governance criterion once at the organisational level. There is no need or option to provide responses for different tender submissions from the same tendering organisation.

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8.3. With regard to the Exposure Draft - Employment Services Tender, will Criterion 1 (past performance) be assessed on Star Ratings achieved at June 2014 or at September 2014?

The Star Rating results that will be used to assess current Job Services Australia Providers against the Demonstrated Performance Selection Criterion will be set out in the Request for Tender.

8.4. I would like to ask if we have to meet certain eligibility requirements to tender for the Harvest Labour Provider Service.

The eligibility to Tender for Employment Services 2015-2020, which includes Harvest Labour Services, is detailed at section 6.4 of the Exposure Draft.

8.5. Section 7.10.4 of the Exposure Draft for Employment Services 2015-2020 states:All respondents should include the results of all audits undertaken by any local/state/federal/overseas government in connection with correctness of claims made since January 2012 together with details of any remedial actions undertaken.Can you please clarify as to whether current Stream Services providers will be required to provide information on the correctness of claims related to the Job Services Australia contract as this information is already held by the department?

The Request for Tender will provide further clarification on the requirements for past audits.

8.6. Could the Department please provide clarification on how information on audits is expected to be incorporated into responses to Employer Provider Selection Criterion 1. What is meant by the term ‘correctness of claims’ is this in relation to claims made against the Selection Criterion for the tender or is this in relation to data on claiming administration fees and outcome payments by JSAs?

The Request for Tender will provide further clarification on the requirements for past audits.

8.7. Is it possible for you to further explain what is meant by the term ‘correctness of claims’ the Department has used in the Exposure Draft.

Audits on the ‘correctness of claims’ refers to audits conducted by the department or any other organisation in relation to claims for payment for any services, including but not limited to Job Services Australia and NEIS fees and outcome payments.

9. Maps of Employment Regions

9.1. At the very least, it would be good to get an idea of how the new Employment Regions relate to SA4s (given that there are 107 SA4s and only 51 employment regions there are obviously differences).

Maps, concordance file(s) and labour market data will be provided for the Employment Regions as part of the Request for Tender (RFT) process. Any feedback received prior to the RFT process will be taken into consideration when deciding what will be provided in relation to maps, concordance and data.

9.2. Where boundaries have changed (e.g ESA Port Pirie) and an SA2 is split between the new employment services region and RJCP (e.g Mid North SA) will the Government look to shift the

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entire SA2 into one program or the other in the future? If not, how will the Department accurately collect employment, industry and occupation data?

The Government has no plans to shift the boundaries between non-remote (Employment Services) and remote (RJCP) regions.

Where an Employment Region contains a split SA2, this will only have a minor impact on the quality of quarterly unemployment and unemployment rate data for the Employment Region. For 42 of the 51 proposed Employment Regions (including Mid North Coast SA, which contains the ESA of Port Pirie), employment, unemployment and participation rate data will be made available on a monthly basis, and industry data will be made available quarterly. For nine of the 51 proposed employment regions, it will only be possible to provide indicative quarterly unemployment and unemployment rate data on a quarterly basis. For the nine regions for which up-to-date industry data are not available, industry data from the 2011 Census will be available.

9.3. Could you please clarify maps of employment regions verses ESA boundaries?

Appendix E to the Exposure Draft has two sets of maps showing the proposed Employment Regions.

There is a map covering each State and Territory which shows the Employment Regions proposed to attract the Regional Loading (shaded in pink) and those which would not attract the Regional Loading(shown in white), as well as remote areas excluded from Employment Services 2015 as they are serviced by the Remote Jobs and Communities Programme (shaded green).

There are also maps showing each of the proposed Employment Regions (shaded in grey) overlaid with the current ESAs whose boundaries shown in red.

9.4. Could you provide the postcodes of the new Labour Regions proposed in the Exposure Draft or provide direction as to who may have them?

The Employment Regions are not postcode based, so it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the Employment Regions by postcode.

The Employment Regions are based on ABS Statistical Area 2s (SA2s) and Statistical Area 4s (SA4s). Maps, concordance file(s) and labour market data will be provided for the Employment Regions as part of the Request for Tender (RFT) process. Any feedback received prior to the RFT process will be taken into consideration when deciding what will be provided in relation to maps, concordance and data.

9.5. Are the Employment Areas based on the number of job seekers in each area?

Where possible the areas have been aligned with Australian Bureau of Statistics statistical area boundaries to allow for ongoing monitoring of these labour markets. However, the development of the Employment Regions also took into account a number of other indicators, including the number of job seekers in an area, transport corridors, the geographic size and profile of the area and where people in each region live and work.

9.6. Is the Department planning to provide access to electronic mapping of the regions?

Electronic mapping files of publishable quality are being developed, but may not be available in time for the Request for Tender process. However, the Department will publish maps in document form (as per

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the Exposure Draft), as well as concordance files and labour market data for the Employment Regions as part of the Request for Tender process.

9.7. Can you please clarify if Darwin and Alice Springs are in one region? If so, it would be challenging as it is quite diverse between Darwin and Alice Springs and having Work for the Dole in one area may be quite different to another, especially with no regional loading. How was it classified/determined?

Yes, Alice Springs and Darwin are in one region, as outlined in Appendix D in the Exposure Draft. There will be 4 to 6 Employment Services Providers, up to 3 New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) providers and 1 Work for the Dole Coordinator in this region. It was determined that those regions that contained a capital city generally did not attract regional loading. However, the Department is happy to take feedback on the region, and look at supporting evidence to determine where regional loading may be applied and how it may be applied.

9.8. On what basis were the Employment Regions decided? For example, why does Bega attract a regional loading but Coffs Harbour does not?

Where possible the areas have been aligned with Australian Bureau of Statistics statistical area boundaries to allow for ongoing monitoring of these labour markets. Other factors taken into account include the number of job seekers in an area, where people in the region live and work, transport corridors and the geographic size and profile of the area. A whole of region approach has been taken when applying the regional loading. Regions with a capital city or major centre have been identified as ‘not regional’. However, the Department is interested in receiving feedback about the proposed regions and eligibility for the Regional Loading.

9.9. Is there any more information / details available about the regions? For example, a concordance list with ABS data blocks (such as SA4s, SLAs etc), job seeker populations and the like would all be useful.

There will be no preference given to Tenderers who bid for for more than one Employment Region.

As stated in question 9.1 on the Employment Services Purchasing website ‘Maps, concordance file(s) and labour market data will be provided for the Employment Regions as part of the Request for Tender (RFT) process. Any feedback received prior to the RFT process will be taken into consideration when deciding what will be provided in relation to maps, concordance and data’.

9.10. The planned new region of Adelaide South is not shown as attracting regional fee loadings, although it includes some regional areas, including Kangaroo Island.Why is there no regional loading for KI, which is accessible only by air or boat, nor for the Southern Fleurieu peninsula? These places are further from the CBD and less accessible than Murray Bridge, for example, which is closer and connected to Adelaide by a 4 lane freeway, but is within the Murray and South East region, and so does attract a regional loading?

As a general rule an employment area that encompasses a capital city will not attract a regional loading. The Department is interested in gaining feedback on the proposed 2015 Employment Services arrangements your feedback will be important in considering whether any changes may be required.

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9.11. Please clarify the new Employment Region for the following locations, as the maps are unclear in some cases:• Fairfield, NSW• Bankstown, NSW• Picton, NSW• Kingscliff, NSW• Inala, QLD• Oxley, QLD• Two Wells, SA• Williaston, SA• Kinglake, VIC

• Fairfield, NSW – Fairfield falls within two Employment Regions; the Sydney South West Employment Region and the Sydney Greater West Employment Region. The Australian Bureau of Statistics Statistical Area Level 2s (SA2s) of Fairfield and Fairfield – West fall within the Sydney South West Employment Region. The SA2 of Fairfield – East falls within the Sydney Greater West Employment Region• Bankstown, NSW – Sydney South West Employment Region• Picton, NSW – Sydney South West Employment Region• Kingscliff, NSW – Eastpoint Employment Region• Inala, QLD – Wivenhoe Employment Region• Oxley, QLD – Wivenhoe Employment Region• Two Wells, SA – Adelaide North Employment Region• Willaston, SA – Adelaide North Employment Region• Kinglake, VIC – North Eastern Melbourne Employment Region

9.12. I was wondering if you have a release date for the new data at the Employment Region (ER) level.

The Department will publish labour market data for the Employment Regions as part of the Request for Tender process.

The Department will also publish Employment Region data on the Labour Market Information Portal (LMIP) on a regular basis after Employment Services 2015-2020 purchasing arrangements have been finalised.

9.13. I am after some sort of mapping files for all ESAs across Australia. As part of the ES Tender Exposure Draft, these maps were printed overlaying Google Maps. So I’m assuming the mapping files exist somewhere. I’m not fussed what format they are in – anything you could provide would be a great help!

The maps in Appendix E of the Exposure Draft were created by overlaying ESA boundaries with Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP) boundaries. Digital boundaries for the ESAs themselves, with RJCP areas excised, are not available.

For the existing ESAs, there is a Statistical Area 2 (SA2) to ESA correspondence file (in CSV format) available for download from the Labour Market Information Portal at:

http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentData/AboutESAs

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For the new Employment Regions, the Department will publish maps in document form (as per the Exposure Draft), as well as concordance files and labour market data as part of the Request for Tender process.

9.14. I am doing a study on the Westgate area and would like further information on skill industry shortages in this area. If you have any reports or studies which outline future employment industry growths in the area of Westgate.

Some sources of information which may be useful are:

Department of Employment projections of regional employment by industry, which can be found at: http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections

In particular, the file entitled ‘Regional projections to Nov-18 – interactive tool’ provides data on past and projected employment growth by industry for the Melbourne – West region, which is a close match to the Westgate Employment Service Area.

9.15. Please advise which Employment Region the following belong to;Doncaster, East Doncaster, Coburg, Sunshine, Bacchus Marsh and Albury

As per your request, to clarify:• The Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) of Doncaster is located in the Employment Region (ER) of Inner Metropolitan Melbourne.• The SA2 of Doncaster East is located in the ER of Inner Metropolitan Melbourne.• The SA2 of Coburg is located in the ER of Inner Metropolitan Melbourne. However, the SA2 of Coburg North is located in the ER of North Western Melbourne.• The SA2s of Sunshine, Sunshine West and Sunshine North are all located in the ER of Western Melbourne.• The SA2 of Bacchus Marsh is located in the ER of Western Melbourne. However, the SA2 of Bacchus Marsh Region is located in the ER of Ballarat.• The SA2s of Albury North, Albury South, Albury East and Lavington are located in the ER of Goulburn/Murray. However, the SA2 of Albury Region is located in the ER of Murray Riverina.

9.16. We would like to use the GIS digital boundary file that would have been used to produce the ESA boundaries in Appendix E of the Exposure Draft, in either Mapinfo Interchange ESRI Shapefile format.Has this been published or will this be made available?

The maps in Appendix E of the Exposure Draft were created by overlaying ESA boundaries with Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP) boundaries. Digital boundaries for the ESAs themselves, with RJCP areas excised, are not available.

However, there is a Statistical Area 2 (SA2) to ESA correspondence file (in CSV format) available for download from the Labour Market Information Portal at:

http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentData/AboutESAs

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9.17. I am seeking clarification regarding the new Employment Region Boundary shared by Sydney East Metro and Sydney South West, as shown in the Exposure Draft Appendix E, Pages 14 and 17.The Exposure Draft details that the Employment Regions generally align to SA4 regions, but from the map graphics provided, it appears that this ER Boundary divides the SA4 Sydney – Inner South West into SA3s; the Sydney East Metro ER incorporating Hurstville, Canterbury and Kogarah/Rockdale SA3s, and and Sydney South West incorporating Bankstown SA3.Can you please advise if this is correct, or whether in fact the boundary does follow the SA4 Sydney – Inner South West perimeter.

It is correct that Employment Regions generally align with SA4 boundaries, as outlined in the Exposure Draft, although there are instances where they align with SA2 or SA3 boundaries (as you have noted, the Sydney East Metro Employment Regions contains the SA3s of Hurstville, Canterbury and Kogarah - Rockdale, while the Sydney South West Employment Regions contains the SA3 of Bankstown). The Sydney East Metro Employment Region and the Sydney South West ER are both based on SA3 boundaries, because caseload sizes and other servicing considerations meant that using a strictly SA4-based structure for these areas would have been inappropriate.

9.18. I was wondering if the ESA boundaries are available as a GIS map layer for download, or if there is more detailed information about the boundaries or each ESA (beyond the PDF maps available online)?

Electronic mapping files of publishable quality are not available for ESA boundaries. However, there is a Statistical Area 2 (SA2) to Employment Service Area (ESA) correspondence file (in CSV format) available for download from the Labour Market Information Portal at:

http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentData/AboutESAs.

9.19. Would you please provide an explanation of the basis of the proposed new regional boundaries? What methodology was used to determine the boundaries? What were the statistical building blocks, and what other considerations, if any, were taken into account in drawing the boundaries of the proposed new regions?

A number of factors were taken into account when developing the new Employment Region (ER) structure. The process was based on aligning boundaries with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) geography (so that labour market conditions in the ERs could be monitored). Where possible, ER boundaries were aligned with ABS Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regions, although smaller ABS Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2) building blocks were used in a number of ERs in order to take account of the following:• The number of job seekers in each area• The geographic size and profile of the region• Transport corridors and where people live and work• Feedback from the Department’s State Office network• Ensuring that there was no overlap between Employment Regions and the Remote Jobs and Communities Program (RJCP) areas. Accordingly, where an SA2 that was included in an ER contained part of an RJCP region, the part of the SA2 covered by the RJCP was not included in the ER.

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9.20. The Department of Employment has just released the Employment Outlook to November 2018. This report provides an overview of future employment trends across industries, occupations, states and territories, and regions, based on the previously released 2014 Employment Projections for the five years to November 2018 and is available at: http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections.In addition, the 2014 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Industry Outlook has also been published and can be accessed at: http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/Publications/IndustryReports.This is excellent information to assist us in communicating to our job seekers the key emerging employment opportunities for their employment and up-skilling our job seekers to take advantage. However can you please advise if this information is available by LMR/Regional or SA4 please?

The Employment Outlook to November 2018 publication provides information at the regional (SA4) level – see page 9 of the publication. The regional employment projections upon which the information in the Outlook is based, can be found on the Labour Market Information Portal at http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections (under the heading ‘2014 Employment Projections’ there are two files containing the regional employment projections).

The Department does not produce employment projections for the existing Labour Market Regions or Employment Service Areas.

9.21. We are geo point mapping and seeking to determine if you might be able to make this available.

The Department of Employment is currently re-defining, adjusting and aligning the new Employment Boundary lines to fit closer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) statistical geography structure. This will ensure better alignment between Employment and ABS statistics for future data analysis. The department expects to make digital geospatial files of these boundaries available as soon as the boundary has been finalised and formally approved.

Under licencing regulations the department can’t supply transport corridor mapping, road network data or access to its geospatial tools. However, the Department of Employment uses Integeo/Mapintelligence to provide spatial tools for Excel, pre mapped ABS CENSUS data and the ability to colour and highlight boundary areas based on the number of Jobseekers or outcomes etc. Integeo also have traffic and transport data available that has been used to perform transport mapping. They have knowledge and experience in the Job Network and currently provide solutions to some Employment Service Providers (email: [email protected]). Other companies who provide these data and services include; Mapdata Services ([email protected]) who are aligned with ESRI mapping and Pitney Bowes Mapinfo ([email protected]).

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mailto:[email protected]

http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections

10. Technical Questions

10.1. Will there still be interaction with the Departments IT system for third party software?

Yes, the Department will continue to support third party IT software, and the Exposure Draft outlines at Section 8.4 that the Department will implement a new deed arrangement with third party IT providers to place the relationship on a clearer foundation. The Department is investigating new interfaces for third party providers, however these are likely to be phased-in over a period from 1 July 2015.

10.2. Will the “Improved IT arrangements” covered in section 2.9.8 of the Exposure Draft be ready on 1 July 2015?

Yes, the majority of “Improved IT arrangements” will be implemented on 1 July 2015. The Department plans to deliver employment systems via a web-browser interface at that time, and a number of supporting applications for mobile devices on or before that date. Functionality to support new measures and support for transition will be implemented earlier. The department is investigating new interfaces for third party providers (see section 8.4 of the Exposure Draft), however these are likely to be phased-in over a period from 1 July 2015.

10.3. Will the Department’s IT system support partnership arrangements between providers?

The Department is developing the system at the moment and will be speaking to providers about what they want included in the new system. We will consider ways to support partnership arrangements (perhaps by providing a capacity to share some information between providers while also partitioning off elements).

10.4. What is the future of AJS?

Jobsearch and ESS are the tools of choice to transact with the Department. Both will undergo a significant overhaul. In relation to ESS, the feedback is that it isn’t intuitive and there is a requirement to tick too many boxes etc, so the Department is looking to make it more user friendly and intuitive to assist staff to be compliant as they process transactions. We are moving out of the mainframe environment into a more modern, internet based server environment. In relation to the AJS system, we hope to enhance it for job seekers to do their monthly job searches and have a dashboard for them with reminders; and to help providers check the job searches of their job seekers through AJS. We are also trying to extend the reach of AJS, so the Job Plan can be viewed and signed electronically through AJS, and vacancies can be shared via social media, eg email, Facebook.

10.5. Will the Department’s IT system support partnership arrangements between providers?

The Department is developing the system at the moment and will be speaking to providers about what they want included in the new system. The Department will consider ways to support partnership arrangements (perhaps by providing a capacity to share some information between providers while also partitioning off elements).

10.6. Please advise which Employment Region Port Augusta and Whyalla belong to.

Port Augusta and Whyalla are part of the North West Country SA Region (refer to page 49 of the Exposure Draft).

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10.7. Will the resume fund in the DOE IT System be changing, and if so in what way?

The Department is considering enhancements to all IT functions for 2015, including Resume’ functionality. The requirements for these enhancements, and their relative priority for delivery, won’t be established until December 2014.

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