Centrelink Volunteering

Centrelink Volunteering  

 

Any person receiving a Centrelink payment can choose to volunteer with HACC service providers for up to 20 hours per week without notifying Centrelink, or being required to obtain Centrelink or Job Network approval.  

 

However, people receiving many payment types can choose to notify Centrelink, their Job Network member, or their Community Work Coordinator of their volunteering, as often this can be used to meet Activity Test or Mutual Obligation requirements. 

 

Mutual Obligation activities are normally required for clients between the ages of 18 and 49 years who have been receiving benefits for a minimum of six months.  These activities are managed by a Community Work Coordinator. 

 

Volunteering may also be used to access training credits to pay for training courses to enhance employment opportunities.  These options should be discussed with Centrelink, your Job Network provider or your Community Work Coordinator.  More information regarding training credits can be found at www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Category/SchemesInitiatives/CW/TrainingCredits.htm 
 

Requirements

 

For those people volunteering to meet a Mutual Obligation or other participation requirement, there are certain expectations with regard to the number of hours of volunteering completed within a certain period of time, normally twenty-six weeks. 

 

This will vary according to the type of payment received, the age of the recipient and the length of time that the income support has been received.  The hours required are currently between six and sixteen hours per week, dependant upon the age of the Centrelink recipient.  

Significant changes to participation requirements were announced in the 2005 Federal Budget under the ‘Welfare to Work’Program.  Many new customers who previously received Parenting Payments or Disability Support payments, will now move onto the Newstart Allowance and be subject to the Newstart participation requirements. 

 

If you are interested in volunteering as a participation requirement or a Mutual Obligation, you should first discuss this option with Centrelink, your Job Network member or your Community Work Coordinator.