Common interpretative framework
Definition of family violence11.64 The ALRC considers that the Child Support Guide should be amended to provide a definition of family violence consistent with that recommended for child support legislation and other Commonwealth legislation, as well as certain state and territory legislation.[77] The child support legislation does not currently include a definition of family violence—as …
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Read moreThe operation of income management
Overview10.4 Income management does not affect or otherwise reduce the total amount of welfare payments payable to a recipient; rather, it changes the way in which a person receives their payment. Under income management, a percentage of a person’s welfare payment is quarantined for use in purchasing particular goods and services such as food and …
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Read moreCompulsory income management
10.25 This section of the chapter considers the appropriateness of compulsory IM as a means to improve the safety of victims of family violence. It does so by examining how the assessment of ‘indicators of vulnerability’ in the ‘vulnerable welfare payment recipients measure’ may affect victims of family violence. It also considers how this assessment …
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Read moreVoluntary income management
Social Security (Administration) Act model10.82 The Social Security (Administration) Act includes an option of voluntary IM, under which a person may enter into a written agreement with the Secretary agreeing to be subject to the income management regime throughout the period in force[124] (which must be at least 13 weeks).[125] The agreement remains in force …
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Read moreJSA, DES and IEP providers
8.71 Once a job seeker is placed in a particular stream, the role of JSA and DES providers is to assist individual job seekers to gain sustainable employment including connecting job seekers to skills development and training opportunities. Depending on the stream into which the job seeker is placed, providers may also be required to …
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Read moreInterpretative framework
Consistent definition in Commonwealth law5.27 Chapter 3 considers placing a consistent definition of family violence in the Social Security Act in addition to other Commonwealth legislation.[24] In the ALRC’s view, the definition of family violence in the Guide to Social Security Law should also be amended to reflect this definition, to enhance consistency across the …
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Read moreRelevant concepts
4.6 In this chapter, and in Chapter 12, the ALRC will refer to the concepts of ‘identifying family violence-related safety concerns’ and ‘issues management’.Identifying family violence-related safety concerns 4.7 There are a number of tools and methods that may be used to identify family violence-related safety concerns. In the Discussion Paper, the ALRC outlined the …
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Read morePromoting the disclosure of family violence
Service delivery reform4.12 The DHS is responsible for the development of service delivery policy and provides access to social, health and other payments and services.[8] The Human Services Legislation Amendment Act 2011 (Cth) integrated the services of Medicare Australia, Centrelink and CRS Australia on 1 July 2011 into DHS.[9]4.13 As part of these reforms, agencies …
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Read moreIssues management
4.41 The ALRC recommends that when family violence-related safety concerns are identified, the DHS staff must refer the customer to a Centrelink social worker or other expert service providers.Referrals and pathways4.42 Stakeholders uniformly agreed that once family violence-related safety concerns are disclosed—through ‘screening’ processes or otherwise—there was a need to ensure an immediate response and, …
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Read more‘Safety concern’ flag
4.56 The ALRC recommends that DHS should consider developing and implementing a ‘safety concern flag’ to be placed on a customer’s file. Subject to the informed consent of the customer, and with appropriate privacy safeguards, the ‘flag’ should be subject to information sharing arrangements between DHS and other agencies.Parallels with vulnerability and sensitive issues indicators4.57 …
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