Frequently asked questions
By JobSeekers
I am confused – what is Job Services Australia
and how is it different from
Jobs Australia?
Jobs Australia Midland is our name.
We have traded with that name since 1998.
We are a local charity, provide a range of different services
and are not linked with a large group or religious organisation, or
franchised in any way.
Job Services Australia (JSA) is the new name
the Commonwealth government in 2009 gave to their employment
services – which used to be known as Job Network.
Many different agencies provide JSA services, both private
companies and not for profit organisations like us.
We have a sub contract to offer those services on behalf of
Communicare – another local not for profit agency.
Who funds you if
you are a not for profit Organisation?
We receive fees through the JSA contract to
assess your needs, develop a plan with you to help you achieve
sustainable employment and arrange and sometimes pay for training or
support you may need or wish to access.
If we place you in a job, and when you have held your job for
3 or 6 months and no longer receive benefits, we also receive a fee.
It is those fees which pay our staff and other costs.
We can make a profit on the contract, but as a charity no
shareholders or other individuals receive any of those profits, they
are reinvested in the organisation and used to deliver other
services to assist people in poverty or who are disadvantaged.
Our Community Key website
www.communitykey.com.au explains those services.
What can you do
for me when I attend?
We will spend
time talking with you about your employment goals, the barriers you
are experiencing in finding employment, the training and support you
might need, and discussing local job opportunities.
The more often we see you the greater assistance and guidance
we can give you.
What can you do for me that I can’t do for
myself?
We have
delivered community and employment services in the area for more
than 30 years, so can often provide you with information or advice
you may not have thought of on your own.
We have very good networks with a range of employers,
employment and training services and support services.
We can assist you by:
-
Reviewing your resume or compiling a resume and
application letters
-
Discussing with you any training or support needs
you may have and referring you to training
-
Depending on your eligibility, paying the costs of
training and support
-
Advising you on the range of other services that
may be able to assist you with non vocational issues such as
counselling, financial counselling, housing or emergency relief
-
Offering free access to computers to build your
keyboard skills; to research the internet for information on
training or employment, and free access to phones and fax for
job applications
-
Marketing you direct to potential employers
-
Advising you on industry trends and potential
areas of employment
-
Negotiating with business on your behalf to offer
incentives such as training, post placement support or wage
subsidies
Also, it can be
very isolating being out of work if many of your friends or your
family are working.
Attending Jobs Australia can give you the opportunity to meet with
our staff who will offer advice and support, and to meet other
people in a similar situation who are looking for work.
I know I am
supposed to be looking for work all the time, but I have some
personal/family issues at the moment and don’t think I could cope
with a job
It is very
important that you tell us if you have things happening in your life
that affect you, your family and your ability to take a job.
We can offer you advice and support, or assist you negotiate
with Centrelink for some amended activity requirements.
We can also refer you to counselling, family support
services, debt counselling, legal counselling or other support.
How are you going to help me to find a job?
Our preference
is to help you develop your skills: work skills, confidence,
personal and job search skills so that you have to ability to find
and hold a job in the long term.
From the time
you register with us, you are able to come in and use the telephone
and computer facilities in
Open Access
as often as you wish during office hours. Talk to the
staff in Open Access and tell them what jobs you are looking for and
what assistance you would like. Our staff can help you to create
application letters, resumes & selection criteria, cold calling
employers, and they can also suggest where to find the kinds of jobs
you are looking for.
If you are
suitable for one of our jobs, the Job Matching staff will organise
for an interview with you. If they think you are suitable for the
job, they will put your details forward to the employer who may also
ask you to an interview. Job Matching staff may also call you
regarding a suitable vacancy, to check that you are interested in
the position and that you fulfil all the requirements.
If you are
experiencing particular difficulties finding the right job, you may
be eligible for
extra
assistance, such as funding for training, wage subsidies to
employers, or we can help to organise work experience.
I am registered with Centrelink but I don’t know
who my JSA provider is, can I come to you?
If you have not been with a JSA
provider since July 2009 you can choose Jobs Australia Midland.
You can call us first, with your Jobseeker ID, and we may be
able to check if you have been allocated to another JSA provider.
When you do come in to register, please bring some
identification with you, and a copy of your resume if you have one
in either hard copy or on disc.
This will assist us register and assist you more quickly.
If you wish to return to your previous JSA provider, call JSA
customer service on 13 62 68 and they will advise you how to do so.
Most of our clients are
registered with Centrelink and have chosen Jobs Australia Midland as
their JSA provider, however you can directly register with us if you
are not already linked to another provider.
Although we will not receive any
fees from the government for assisting people who are not eligible
for JSA, as a community service we are happy to provide access to
information, job seeking resources and advice to anyone who is
looking for work, as long as they are not with another JSA provider.
We can also assist you with referral to other support
services, such as counselling, family support, domestic violence
support, or legal and debt counselling.
Who can use your facilities?
Our JSA clients
referred by Centrelink, or unemployed or otherwise disadvantaged
people who are not clients of another JSA provider.
If you are not with another provider you can register
directly with us, but please bring some form of identification.
I don't receive benefits from Centrelink, can I use your services?
Yes, you will
need to complete a short registration form which will allow you to
use our facilities. However we recommend that you do register
with Centrelink, because although you may not be eligible for
benefits right now, that may change in the future.
Also, Centrelink registration can sometimes make you eligible
for additional services or support.
Can I come to see you direct from Centrelink?
You could, but
there is no guarantee that we can give you an immediate appointment.
You may have to wait or return at a later date but we will do our
best to see you as soon as possible.
What happens if I miss an appointment?
It is very
important that you let us know as soon as possible if you cannot
attend, so we can arrange an alternative appointment for you.
If you are a JSA client receiving benefits we are required to advise
Centrelink if you do not attend a mandatory appointment and this may
affect your Centrelink benefits.
What are the hours considered as full time study
in TAFE or University?
Generally 20 hours plus per
week, but please check with us or with Centrelink to ensure these
are
approved
studies, otherwise they may not
be considered.
It is always best to discuss your plans with us, and in some cases we
may be able to fast track the process and provide some financial
support with your studies.
Do I have to notify Centrelink if I earn money
while on benefits?
You should always advise Centrelink as soon as possible of any earnings or any other change of circumstances such as changes in your relationship, your address or your rent. If you do not declare your income it could result in heavy fines or penalties from Centrelink or the Tax office, or a debt.
If I have given
information to Centrelink why do I need to give Jobs Australia
Midland my information?
We need to
understand your individual needs and circumstances so that we can
support you appropriately in your job search. Centrelink does
not disclose to us all of the information that is relevant to your
needs. We may be able to help you with training, equipment and work
clothes, depending on the information you supply. We may also
need to provide your relevant or updated information to Centrelink
if required.
What if I have problems trying to access my
personal page?
You should ring
Customer Service on 13 62 68. To verify who you are you will
be asked for your Jobseeker ID and the two 'challenge questions'
that you nominated at the time of your registration, e.g.; your town
of birth or your closest relative.
What training can I get through you?
We offer workshops and courses in house on a variety of job search and
personal development topics. We
have a lot of experience in
delivering workshops to people who are out of work, and make then
interesting, fun and interactive.
If you are interested, talk to our staff in Open Access to
find out what courses may be available in your area of interest.
We also have lots of information on a wide range of courses
available elsewhere, and many are fee free.
Do I still have to look for additional work if I
find some casual employment?
Yes, your
obligation to look for work remains until you have enough income to
remove your reliance on benefits or have some sort of an exemption.
What happens if I get a job?
We need to know
the details of all the work you do, no matter how small or casual.
We may be able to support you and your employer with financial
assistance, e.g.; for work clothes, training or wage subsidies.
Please let us know - we’re here to help.
What assistance can I get for interview
clothes/shoes?
We may be able
to provide assistance depending on your circumstances and
eligibility. Please ask one of our staff.
Is there a Customer Service line for Job Services
Australia?
Yes, for
complaints
and compliments you
can ring them on 1800 805 260.
Who can I complain to about Centrelink?
If you are not
satisfied with the service you have received from Centrelink, these
are the numbers to ring:
-
Newstart on 13 28 50
-
Youth Allowance on 13 24 90
-
Disability Support on 13 27 17
-
Supporting Parents on 13 61 50
If your
complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you can make a
formal complaint by ringing 1800 050 004.
Who can I
complain to about Jobs Australia Midland?
If you are
comfortable in doing so, you can make your complaint to the staff
member involved. If you
feel uncomfortable doing so, you can ask to see the Manager, or if
he is unavailable, the CEO.
We are keen to hear your feedback so that we can improve our
services. We have
customer service surveys available at reception, which can be
completed anonymously, and encourage you to use them.
By Employers
How much does the service cost?
The service is
free. We are funded by the federal government on a performance
basis.
Once I have placed a vacancy with you what
happens next?
We will
advertise your vacancy; screen and reference check applicants and
contact you to arrange interviews for suitable candidates.
How are you
different from other employment agencies?
The services we
deliver as Job Services Australia sub contractors are, on the face
of it, the same services you could access from other JSA providers.
However, we are a local charity, and have a strong commitment
to working within our community to enhance the opportunities for
employment for local people.
Our focus is on assisting long term unemployed people, and
others who are disadvantaged such as refugees, Indigenous people,
people with disabilities, mature aged workers and youth.
We do recognise however, that you are running a business and
need the right staff. We
will refer the best person for the job to you, but we can also offer
you incentives to give an opportunity to someone who may need some
training, or extra support to be a valued and useful employee.
We are active
members of the Swan Chamber of Commerce, and are highly recommended
by them.
We are always
keen to hear from businesses that have ideas on how to provide more
opportunities for employment, particularly for those key client
groups mentioned above.
We can bring our knowledge of the employment services sector to
bear, and access information and perhaps funding to assist you
implement some of those ideas.
Is there a Customer Service line for JSA?
Yes, for complaints
and compliments you can ring on 13 17 15
