Suspension of mutual obligation requirements for job seekers and participants in Western Australia and the Northern Territory

The Morrison Government has suspended mutual obligation requirements for employment services participants in regions affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns announced in Western Australian and Northern Territory yesterday.

The temporary suspension of mutual obligation requirements in the Northern Territory is in place, starting yesterday Monday 28 June until Tuesday 6 July 2021 inclusive.

This includes the Local Government Areas of the City of Darwin, the City of Palmerston, and the Community Development Program region of Darwin-Daly.

For Western Australia, the temporary suspension of mutual obligation requirements is in place from today until Tuesday 6 July 2021 inclusive and includes the Perth Metro Region and Peel Region.

No employment services participant in the affected Local Government Areas or a Community Development Program region will face payment suspension or financial penalties for failing to meet their mutual obligation requirements, such as not being able to attend appointments or activities, or not meeting their Job Search requirement if it is due while mutual obligation requirements are suspended.

Where it is safe to do so in line with health advice, job seekers and participants can engage with their employment service provider.

These arrangements will apply to job seekers in jobactive, Online Employment Services, Disability Employment Services, and participants in ParentsNext and the Community Development Program.

More information about mutual obligation requirements for jobactive, Online Employment Services, and participants of ParentsNext can be found at www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/job-seekers