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Call the Centrelink Indigenous Call Centre on Freecall™ 1800 136 380

This information is current until 30 June 2013. Read more about the Changes to Community Development Employment Projects that will occur on 1 July 2013.

The CDEP Participant Supplement of $20.80 per fortnight may be paid to CDEP participants who receive CDEP wages. You do not need to complete a claim form to apply. Your CDEP provider can tell the Department of Human Services if you wish to claim the CDEP Participant Supplement.

The Approved Program of Work Supplement, also $20.80 per fortnight, is available to CDEP participants receiving one of the following income support payments:

  • Newstart Allowance
  • Youth Allowance as a job seeker
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Parenting Payment (single or partnered).

You do not need to apply. If you are eligible you will automatically receive the payment with your regular income support payments.

You are eligible for the CDEP Participant Supplement or Approved Program of Work Supplement for each fortnightyou participate in CDEP, even if you have not participated for the entire fortnight. If you stop participating in CDEP, you will no longer be eligible for the CDEP Participant Supplement or the Approved Program of Work Supplement

You need to know

Aims of Community Development Employment Projects

Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) is an Australian Government initiative for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers who live in a remote community.

Read more about aims of Community Development Employment Projects

Add on benefits for CDEP Payment Supplements (CPS)

If you are a CPS recipient you will receive a Health Care Card. You may also be able to claim benefits such as:

  • Rent Assistance,
  • Pharmaceutical Allowance, and
  • Telephone Allowance.

Income test for CPS

CPS is payable to you if your income is below:

  •  $1126.00 per fortnight, if you are single
  •  $1612.00 Single principle carer, with child(ren)
  •  $1033.00 per fortnight, if you are partnered.

Total income of both partners must be below $2066.00 per fortnight.

Some CDEP wages participants receive wages as well as a part-payment of Disability Support Payment, Parenting Payment Single, Age Pension or Carer Payment.  Pensioners are eligible for the CDEP Participant Supplement while they retain a part-payment of pension. Where they have lost their last dollar of pension, the CDEP Participant Supplement income test applies.

Existing customers

Things to do if you receive the CPS

If you receive the CDEP Participant Supplement, you need to contact DHS within 14 days if:

  • your income exceeds the income threshold for the CDEP Participant Supplement,
  • you receive additional wages (Top Up),
  • you leave or enter CDEP, and/or
  • your personal circumstances change (e.g. relationship status, or number of dependent children in your care).

Resources

More information about CDEP

For more information, visit the FAHCSIA website – Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) program