Job Capacity Assessments
- Directly connecting you to the right services
- Who can receive a Job Capacity Assessment?
- Who provides Job Capacity Assessments?
- How are assessments done?
- What happens after a Job Capacity Assessment?
- How will quality and consistency be ensured?
Directly connecting you to the right services
The Job Capacity Assessment program, commenced on 1 July 2006 as part of the substantial investment in services to help people find and keep paid employment.
Job Capacity Assessments identify a person’s ability to work and any barriers they face to getting a job. Barriers to work can be varied and can include physical or psychological disability, alcoholism, drug addiction or homelessness.Who can receive a Job Capacity Assessment?
Over 363,000 assessments were completed in 2006-07, including:
- Jobseekers claiming or receiving Centrelink payments who have been identified as having barriers preventing them from working;
- People claiming Disability Support Pension or those who are having their Disability Support Pension reviewed; or
- Voluntary job seekers such as mature age people wanting to get a job.
Individuals may also be referred for a Job Capacity Assessment from an employment service provider, such as the Job Network, where they have barriers to work.
Who provides Job Capacity Assessments?
About 80 per cent of assessments are actually done by government providers: Centrelink, CRS Australia and Health Services Australia. The remaining assessments are actually done by non-government providers, chosen from a competitive tender process. All Job Capacity Assessment providers demonstrate a strong track record in undertaking work capacity assessments.
How are assessments done?
Job Capacity Assessments are conducted face-to-face, with only limited exceptions (such as where a person is unable to travel). The assessor will have information on the person’s medical and income support history where appropriate.
What happens after a Job Capacity Assessment?
Once a person’s capacity for work has been assessed, they can be directly referred to an employment or support service that meets their individual needs. Services include the Job Network, Disability Employment Network, Personal Support Program (PSP) or Job Placement, Employment and Training (JPET).
Where an income support decision is required, the Job Capacity Assessor will send a report to Centrelink, which informs the income support decision. It is Centrelink, not the Job Capacity Assessor, that makes the income support determination.
How will quality and consistency be ensured?
Assessor training and service guidelines will ensure that assessments are delivered consistently, no matter where they occur. Staff doing assessments will be allied health professionals. Assessments must meet strict quality standards and will be closely monitored by the Department of Human Services.
Notes
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