Media Release by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

Further suspension of mutual obligation requirements in NSW

Joint Media Release with:

  • Honourable Stuart Robert

The Morrison Government has extended the suspension of mutual obligation requirements after coronavirus lockdown restrictions were further extended in New South Wales yesterday.

The suspension of mutual obligation requirements will apply to job seekers and participants in the Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot declared regions of Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong. This suspension will be applied from today, Sunday 27 June 2021 and will be in place until Tuesday 13 July 2021 inclusive.

The previously announced suspension of mutual obligation requirements for job seekers and participants in the Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot declared regions of the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra will also remain in place until Tuesday 13 July 2021 inclusive.

These arrangements will apply to job seekers in jobactive, Online Employment Services, Disability Employment Services and participants in ParentsNext who live or are serviced in these areas.

Job seekers and participants in these areas will not face payment suspensions or financial penalties for failing to meet their mutual obligation requirements that are due, or are arranged to occur, during the suspension period of mutual obligation requirements.

Job seekers and participants in these areas are still encouraged to remain connected to employment services to ensure they are supported to access the full range of assistance including mental health services if required, and to continue to check when their mutual obligation requirements are due.

Special Circumstances Exemptions continue to be available through Services Australia for job seekers who require them.

More information about mutual obligation requirements can be found at:

http://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/job-seekers