LABOUR MARKET · Web viewBetween March 2014 and March 2015 Total Newstart Allowance (NSA) and Youth Allowance (other) (YA(o)) recipients increased 2.3 per cent overall from 847 057

Labour Marketand Related Payments

a monthly profile

Note: The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) produces the official unemployment statistics. The figures contained in this publication are different from the ABS unemployment figures as the ABS and the Department Social Services (DSS) use different definitions to identify the unemployed and different methods of counting (see the Appendix for more information).

This publication can be found on the Department of Social Services website at DSS - Labour Market and Related Payments Publication (http://www.dss.gov.au/lmrp).

March 2015Embargoed

Until 11.30 am, 22 April 2015

ContentsIntroduction....................................................................................................................2

Statistical Highlights......................................................................................................3

Table 1 - Labour Market Payments - Time Series.........................................................4

Table 2 - Newstart Allowees - Derivation Of The Job Seeker Population....................5

Table 3 - Youth Allowees (Other) - Derivation Of The Job Seeker Population............6

http://www.dss.gov.au/lmrp

http://www.dss.gov.au/lmrp

Table 4 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other)

Time Series.....................................................................................................................7


By State..........................................................................................................................8

Table 6 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance And Youth Allowance (Other)

By Age and Sex..............................................................................................................9

Table 7 (Parts a to n) - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth

Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre............................................10


Fortnightly Earnings and Sex.......................................................................................24

Explanatory Notes........................................................................................................25

Payment History.......................................................................................................26

Glossary........................................................................................................................31

Appendix......................................................................................................................34

For More Information..................................................................................................37

2

Introduction

This publication presents statistical information on a monthly basis for the various types of labour market payments delivered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS). This publication was produced previously by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).

This publication covers Newstart (NSA) and Youth Allowance (other) (YA(o)) in some detail, and to a lesser extent, Partner Allowance (PA), Widow Allowance (WA), Youth Allowance (Full Time Student)(YA(FTS)) and Youth Allowance (Australian Apprentices) (YA(a)).

Table 1 provides information on the total number of NSA and YA recipients. The YA population is broken down into YA(o), YA(FTS) and YA(Australian Apprentices) categories. The total numbers of PA and WA recipients are also provided in this table.

Tables 2 and 3 show the derivation of the NSA and YA(o) job seeker populations (see the reference to job seekers in the ‘Comparability of data’ section of the Explanatory Notes). These populations are added together to derive the total number of job seekers.

Tables 4 to 8 provide information on the total job seeker population.

When using time series figures, it is important to note that changes have occurred over time to the conditions of eligibility for different payments. Details of these changes are provided in the Explanatory Notes.

All media inquiries should be directed to the DSS Media Team on (02) 6146 3242.For more general inquiries regarding further statistical information please refer to the last page of this publication for other contact details.

The next issue of this publication is scheduled for release on 20 May 2015.

3

Statistical Highlights – March 2015Between March 2014 and March 2015

Total Newstart Allowance (NSA) and Youth Allowance (other) (YA(o)) recipients increased 2.3 per cent overall from 847 057 to 866 360.

NSA recipients increased 3.6 per cent from 733 601 to 759 924. YA(o) recipients decreased 6.2 per cent from 113 456 to 106 436.

The number of job seekers increased 3.3 per cent overall from 417 523 to 431 137.

NSA job seekers increased 3.9 per cent from 362 509 to 376 783. YA(o) job seekers decreased 1.2 per cent from 55 014 to 54 354.

Long-term job seekers increased 11.2 per cent from 247 876 to 275 725.

Short-term job seekers decreased 8.4 per cent from 169 647 to 155 412.

NOTE: There is a break in the series between June and July 2012. From July 2012 allowee data is not wholly comparable with previously published data, due to changes in eligibility for Newstart and Youth Allowance (other) (see Explanatory Notes).

For comparisons between DSS unemployment labour market payment numbers and ABS labour force unemployment statistics, see Appendix.

Figure 1: Line Graph – Newstart and Youth Allowance (other) time series

0

100

200

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400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Mar-13 May-13 Jul-13 Sep-13 Nov-13 Jan-14 Mar-14 May-14 Jul-14 Sep-14 Nov-14 Jan-15 Mar-15

Thousands Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other)March 2013 - March 2015

Short-term jobseekers Long-term jobseekersTotal jobseekers Total NSA/YA(o) Recipients

4

Table 1 - Labour Market Payments - Time Series

Month/YearNewstart

AllowanceLong Term

Newstart Allowance

Total

Youth Allowance

(Other)

Youth Allowance (Full-time Student)

Youth Allowance (Australian Apprentice)

Partner Allowance

Widow Allowance

February 1994 472,785 977,796 .. .. .. .. ..

March 2013 443,932 682,120 106,244 225,583 6,086 11,009 27,006 April 2013 439,863 677,527 105,767 236,305 6,349 10,700 26,660 May 2013 443,320 684,973 107,974 244,878 6,373 10,393 26,397 June 2013 447,172 691,771 110,830 246,009 6,428 10,091 26,057 July 2013 454,506 704,005 116,328 234,497 6,667 9,929 25,925 August 2013 453,446 697,212 109,963 241,992 6,825 9,841 26,043 September 2013 453,405 693,589 106,540 245,298 6,891 9,790 26,285 October 2013 456,087 695,797 104,790 243,165 6,830 9,728 26,420 November 2013 460,205 701,640 103,758 220,015 6,374 9,697 26,674 December 2013 468,076 711,438 115,601 185,423 6,357 9,652 26,894

January 2014 477,743 726,740 115,310 180,207 6,219 9,472 26,777 February 2014 482,383 732,654 116,570 198,165 6,496 9,224 26,575 March 2014 485,069 733,601 113,456 216,363 6,682 9,002 26,423 April 2014 486,898 734,866 112,776 228,852 6,736 8,769 26,280 May 2014 490,612 738,128 112,274 238,592 6,890 8,513 25,961 June 2014 495,633 741,051 112,705 239,768 7,055 8,289 25,674 July 2014 495,895 734,817 111,765 227,625 6,909 8,065 25,317 August 2014 498,293 729,716 106,332 236,156 6,762 7,818 24,980 September 2014 502,196 728,126 104,395 238,785 6,714 7,589 24,711 October 2014 505,815 729,549 102,714 236,622 6,460 7,373 24,404 November 2014 516,763 731,126 101,405 211,398 5,988 7,157 24,180 December 2014 527,318 746,294 112,079 182,733 5,857 6,967 23,988

January 2015 532,903 754,340 108,657 173,161 5,502 6,756 23,604 February 2015 537,533 760,149 109,888 188,529 5,417 6,552 23,336 March 2015 538,587 759,924 106,436 210,765 5,599 6,356 23,058

Variation February 2015 - March 2015Number 1,054 -225 -3,452 22,236 182 -196 -278Per cent 0.2 0.0 -3.1 11.8 3.4 -3.0 -1.2

Notes: Long-term Allowees have received income support for 12 months or more. The method of measuring the number of people receiving labour market payments was revised in July 2002.

The July 2002 publication includes revised historical data from May 1998 to June 2002. February 1994 data is included as it represents a peak in the number of recipients.

5

Table 2 - Newstart Allowees - Derivation of the Job Seeker Population

Newstart Allowance

March 2015

Persons

March 2015 Males

March 2015

FemalesFebruary

2015

Variation February -

March Number


March per cent

Short Term Newstart Allowees 221,337 137,479 83,858 222,616 -1,279 -0.6CPS Recipients (a) 45 38 7 55 -10 -18.2Did not receive a payment (b) 13,115 7,373 5,742 11,372 1,743 15.3Received a payment 208,177 130,068 78,109 211,189 -3,012 -1.4

Voluntary/part-time work (c) 7,126 1,969 5,157 7,221 -95 -1.3Other activities without job search (d) 33,124 19,532 13,592 33,095 29 0.1Incapacitated (e) 21,792 12,687 9,105 21,892 -100 -0.5Other/temporary exemptions (f) 12,424 6,990 5,434 12,360 64 0.5Short-term NSA job seekers (g) 133,711 88,890 44,821 136,621 -2,910 -2.1

Short-term NSA training/education (h) 32,167 18,186 13,981 30,761 1,406 4.6

Long Term Newstart Allowees 538,587 259,562 279,025 537,533 1,054 0.2CPS Recipients (a) 1,308 867 441 1,374 -66 -4.8Did not receive a payment (b) 22,099 9,295 12,804 18,637 3,462 18.6Received a payment 515,180 249,400 265,780 517,522 -2,342 -0.5

Voluntary/part-time work (c) 58,774 12,887 45,887 59,052 -278 -0.5Other activities without job search (d) 129,866 60,146 69,720 127,623 2,243 1.8Incapacitated (e) 40,535 19,781 20,754 40,648 -113 -0.3Other/temporary exemptions (f) 42,933 19,270 23,663 43,889 -956 -2.2Long-term NSA job seekers (g) 243,072 137,316 105,756 246,310 -3,238 -1.3

Long-term NSA training/education (h) 170,622 84,781 85,841 165,214 5,408 3.3

All Newstart Allowees 759,924 397,041 362,883 760,149 -225 0.0CPS Recipients (a) 1,353 905 448 1,429 -76 -5.3Did not receive a payment (b) 35,214 16,668 18,546 30,009 5,205 17.3Received a payment 723,357 379,468 343,889 728,711 -5,354 -0.7

Voluntary/part-time work (c) 65,900 14,856 51,044 66,273 -373 -0.6Other activities without job search (d) 162,990 79,678 83,312 160,718 2,272 1.4Incapacitated (e) 62,327 32,468 29,859 62,540 -213 -0.3Other/temporary exemptions (f) 55,357 26,260 29,097 56,249 -892 -1.6All NSA job seekers (g) 376,783 226,206 150,577 382,931 -6,148 -1.6

All NSA training/education (h) 202,789 102,967 99,822 195,975 6,814 3.5

(a) Allowees eligible for NSA who received the CDEP Participant Supplement or add ons.(b) Allowees who did not receive a payment due to their own income and/or that of their partner or parents, where applicable. This group is

often referred to as zero-paid.(c) Allowees who are not required to seek work because they are undertaking approved full-time voluntary work or a combination of

voluntary and part-time work. (d) Allowees who are undertaking one or more other activities (which may include training or education) but not job search. This includes

allowees undertaking self-employment development.(e) Allowees who are temporarily ill or incapacitated.(f) Includes allowees who are known not to have participation requirements and allowees participating in Disability Management Services. (g) Allowees who received a payment and generally are required to search for work. These allowees are classified as job seekers and form

the basis of the population group in Tables 4 - 7.(h) All allowees who are undertaking training or education which may be in conjunction with job search and/or other activities. This

category is a subset of all allowees who received a payment.Notes: Long-term allowees have received income support for 12 months or more.

6

Table 3 - Youth Allowees (Other) - Derivation of the Job Seeker Population

Youth Allowance (other)

March 2015

Persons

March 2015 Males

March 2015

FemalesFebruary

2015


March Number

Variation February - March per

cent

Short Term Youth Allowees 42,452 23,795 18,657 43,479 -1,027 -2.4CPS Recipients (a) 0 0 0 0 0 0.0Did not receive a payment (b) 1,032 478 554 921 111 12.1Received a payment 41,420 23,317 18,103 42,558 -1,138 -2.7

Other activities without job search (c) 16,382 9,711 6,671 16,686 -304 -1.8Incapacitated (d) 1,767 908 859 1,778 -11 -0.6Other/temporary exemptions (e) 1,570 717 853 1,568 2 0.1Short-term YA (other) job seekers (f) 21,701 11,981 9,720 22,526 -825 -3.7

Short-term YA (other) training/education (g) 11,434 6,262 5,172 10,955 479 4.4

Long Term Youth Allowees 63,984 32,950 31,034 66,409 -2,425 -3.7CPS Recipients (a) 3 3 0 4 -1 -25.0Did not receive a payment (b) 1,866 780 1,086 1,779 87 4.9Received a payment 62,115 32,167 29,948 64,626 -2,511 -3.9

Other activities without job search (c) 24,624 13,094 11,530 25,017 -393 -1.6Incapacitated (d) 2,383 1,072 1,311 2,454 -71 -2.9Other/temporary exemptions (e) 2,455 1,030 1,425 2,601 -146 -5.6Long-term YA (other) job seekers (f) 32,653 16,971 15,682 34,554 -1,901 -5.5

Long-term YA (other) training/education (g) 24,839 12,483 12,356 23,925 914 3.8

All Youth Allowees 106,436 56,745 49,691 109,888 -3,452 -3.1CPS Recipients (a) 3 3 0 4 -1 -25.0Did not receive a payment (b) 2,898 1,258 1,640 2,700 198 7.3Received a payment 103,535 55,484 48,051 107,184 -3,649 -3.4

Other activities without job search (c) 41,006 22,805 18,201 41,703 -697 -1.7Incapacitated (d) 4,150 1,980 2,170 4,232 -82 -1.9Other/temporary exemptions (e) 4,025 1,747 2,278 4,169 -144 -3.5All YA (other) job seekers (f) 54,354 28,952 25,402 57,080 -2,726 -4.8

All YA (other) training/education (g) 36,273 18,745 17,528 34,880 1,393 4.0

(a) Allowees eligible for YA (other) who received the CDEP Participant Supplement or add ons.(b) Allowees who did not receive a payment due to their own income and/or that of their partner or parents, where applicable. This group is

often referred to as zero-paid.(c) Allowees who are undertaking one or more other activities (which may include training or education) but not job search. This includes

allowees undertaking self-employment development.(d) Allowees who are temporarily ill or incapacitated.(e) Includes allowees who are known not to have participation requirements and allowees participating in Disability Management Services. (f) Allowees who received a payment and generally are required to search for work. These allowees are classified as job seekers and form

the basis of the population group in Tables 4 - 7.(g) All allowees who are undertaking training or education which may be in conjunction with job search and/or other activities. This

category is a subset of all allowees who received a payment.Notes: Long-term allowees have received income support for 12 months or more.

7

Table 4 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) Time Series

Month/Year Short-term Long-term Total

March 2013 162,494 222,611 385,105April 2013 165,858 229,031 394,889May 2013 169,282 231,218 400,500June 2013 172,666 234,093 406,759July 2013 175,870 235,643 411,513August 2013 166,945 227,053 393,998September 2013 161,475 223,046 384,521October 2013 160,437 223,525 383,962November 2013 160,424 224,812 385,236December 2013 165,649 241,054 406,703

January 2014 174,982 253,178 428,160February 2014 173,817 251,800 425,617March 2014 169,647 247,876 417,523April 2014 169,197 246,262 415,459May 2014 169,980 247,615 417,595June 2014 168,871 248,406 417,277July 2014 164,663 249,220 413,883August 2014 156,467 246,504 402,971September 2014 152,447 246,892 399,339October 2014 150,865 247,895 398,760November 2014 144,549 252,616 397,165December 2014 151,992 269,253 421,245

January 2015 158,486 279,232 437,718February 2015 159,147 280,864 440,011March 2015 155,412 275,725 431,137

Variation February 2015 - March 2015Number -3735 -5139 -8874Per cent -2.3 -1.8 -2.0

Notes:- Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.

8

Table 5 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By State

State February 2015 March 2015Variation Number

Variation Per cent

Short-Term Job SeekersNew South Wales 44,344 42,793 -1,551 -3.5Victoria 37,575 36,296 -1,279 -3.4Queensland 42,112 41,783 -329 -0.8South Australia 12,617 12,307 -310 -2.5Western Australia 15,301 15,222 -79 -0.5Tasmania 3,589 3,420 -169 -4.7Northern Territory 2,069 2,085 16 0.8Australian Capital Territory 1,540 1,506 -34 -2.2Australia 159,147 155,412 -3,735 -2.3

Long-Term Job SeekersNew South Wales 86,381 84,203 -2,178 -2.5Victoria 64,824 63,413 -1,411 -2.2Queensland 63,922 63,250 -672 -1.1South Australia 25,462 24,943 -519 -2.0Western Australia 23,975 23,890 -85 -0.4Tasmania 9,705 9,482 -223 -2.3Northern Territory 4,161 4,150 -11 -0.3Australian Capital Territory 2,434 2,394 -40 -1.6Australia 280,864 275,725 -5,139 -1.8

Total Job seekersNew South Wales 130,725 126,996 -3,729 -2.9Victoria 102,399 99,709 -2,690 -2.6Queensland 106,034 105,033 -1,001 -0.9South Australia 38,079 37,250 -829 -2.2Western Australia 39,276 39,112 -164 -0.4Tasmania 13,294 12,902 -392 -2.9Northern Territory 6,230 6,235 5 0.1Australian Capital Territory 3,974 3,900 -74 -1.9Australia 440,011 431,137 -8,874 -2.0

Notes: Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.

9

Table 6 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Age and Sex

Age

Short-term job seekers Number

Short-term job seekers

Per Cent

Long-term job seekers

Numbers


Per Cent

Total job seekers Number

Total job seekers

Per Cent

MalesLess than 18 years 1,714 1.7 327 0.2 2,041 0.818 - 20 years 8,168 8.1 11,844 7.7 20,012 7.821 - 24 years 14,612 14.5 23,279 15.1 37,891 14.825 - 29 years 15,662 15.5 23,610 15.3 39,272 15.430 - 39 years 23,964 23.8 35,288 22.9 59,252 23.240 - 49 years 18,765 18.6 29,826 19.3 48,591 19.050 - 59 years 13,182 13.1 22,230 14.4 35,412 13.960 years and over 4,805 4.8 7,883 5.1 12,688 5.0Total 100,872 100.0 154,287 100.0 255,159 100.0

FemalesLess than 18 years 1,671 3.1 379 0.3 2,050 1.218 - 20 years 6,813 12.5 11,301 9.3 18,114 10.321 - 24 years 8,260 15.1 16,548 13.6 24,808 14.125 - 29 years 6,698 12.3 12,509 10.3 19,207 10.930 - 39 years 8,577 15.7 23,373 19.2 31,950 18.240 - 49 years 10,454 19.2 31,218 25.7 41,672 23.750 - 59 years 9,123 16.7 21,402 17.6 30,525 17.360 years and over 2,944 5.4 4,708 3.9 7,652 4.3Total 54,540 100.0 121,438 100.0 175,978 100.0

PersonsLess than 18 years 3,385 2.2 706 0.3 4,091 0.918 - 20 years 14,981 9.6 23,145 8.4 38,126 8.821 - 24 years 22,872 14.7 39,827 14.4 62,699 14.525 - 29 years 22,360 14.4 36,119 13.1 58,479 13.630 - 39 years 32,541 20.9 58,661 21.3 91,202 21.240 - 49 years 29,219 18.8 61,044 22.1 90,263 20.950 - 59 years 22,305 14.4 43,632 15.8 65,937 15.360 years and over 7,749 5.0 12,591 4.6 20,340 4.7Total 155,412 100.0 275,725 100.0 431,137 100.0

Notes: Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.

10

Table 7a - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Sydney Service Zone by Service CentreFebruary

2015 March 2015Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Bankstown 3,536 3,493 -43 -1.2Bondi Junction 1,258 1,215 -43 -3.4Burwood 1,722 1,700 -22 -1.3Cabramatta 2,638 2,555 -83 -3.1Camden 812 742 -70 -8.6Campbelltown 2,220 2,134 -86 -3.9Campsie 2,569 2,521 -48 -1.9Caringbah 876 867 -9 -1.0Chatswood 1,244 1,233 -11 -0.9Darlinghurst 1,641 1,595 -46 -2.8Fairfield 3,008 2,945 -63 -2.1Hornsby 1,133 1,061 -72 -6.4Hurstville 1,575 1,524 -51 -3.2Ingleburn 1,250 1,211 -39 -3.1Leichhardt 1,426 1,370 -56 -3.9Liverpool 3,810 3,733 -77 -2.0Maroubra 1,486 1,482 -4 -0.3Marrickville 1,492 1,351 -141 -9.5Northern Beaches 1,332 1,302 -30 -2.3Redfern 1,448 1,489 41 2.8Rockdale 1,643 1,620 -23 -1.4Ryde 1,254 1,258 4 0.3Sutherland 876 866 -10 -1.1Other (a) 7 4 % %

Total 40,256 39,271 -985 -2.4

Note: For footnotes see end of table.

11

Table 7b - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

North New South Wales Service Zone by Service Centre

February 2015 March 2015

Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Ballina 1,038 1,007 -31 -3.0Brunswick Heads 1,139 1,094 -45 -4.0Byron Bay 261 272 11 4.2Casino 703 695 -8 -1.1Cessnock 992 980 -12 -1.2Charlestown 2,177 2,098 -79 -3.6Coffs Harbour 2,180 2,105 -75 -3.4Comm Support Team 32 28 % %Ettalong 829 769 -60 -7.2Forster 918 911 -7 -0.8Gosford 1,929 1,836 -93 -4.8Grafton 1,015 961 -54 -5.3Kempsey 930 909 -21 -2.3King Street 1,318 1,233 -85 -6.4Kurri Kurri 610 605 -5 -0.8Lakehaven 1,903 1,876 -27 -1.4Lismore 1,841 1,772 -69 -3.7Maitland 1,935 1,841 -94 -4.9Mayfield 1,191 1,151 -40 -3.4Murwillumbah 753 731 -22 -2.9Muswellbrook 854 852 -2 -0.2Nambucca Heads 780 750 -30 -3.8Nelson Bay 556 536 -20 -3.6Port Macquarie 1,894 1,848 -46 -2.4Raymond Terrace 1,127 1,132 5 0.4Singleton 455 441 -14 -3.1Taree 1,698 1,646 -52 -3.1The Entrance 1,357 1,338 -19 -1.4Toronto 1,036 1,017 -19 -1.8Tweed Heads 1,687 1,619 -68 -4.0Wallsend 1,761 1,745 -16 -0.9Woy Woy 571 565 -6 -1.1Wyong 724 700 -24 -3.3Yamba 455 433 -22 -4.8Other (a) 17 17 % %

Total 38,666 37,513 -1,153 -3.0


12

Table 7c - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Central New South Wales Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Armidale 1,075 1,047 -28 -2.6Auburn 2,352 2,283 -69 -2.9Bathurst 876 834 -42 -4.8Baulkham Hills 1,007 989 -18 -1.8Blacktown 3,411 3,338 -73 -2.1Bourke 351 329 -22 -6.3Dubbo 1,942 1,923 -19 -1.0Glen Innes 357 357 0 0.0Gunnedah 493 464 -29 -5.9Hawkesbury 999 1,001 2 0.2Inverell 783 759 -24 -3.1Katoomba 719 675 -44 -6.1Lightning Ridge 205 194 -11 -5.4Lithgow 714 709 -5 -0.7Merrylands 2,339 2,207 -132 -5.6Moree 533 535 2 0.4Mt Druitt 2,559 2,514 -45 -1.8Mudgee 641 628 -13 -2.0Narrabri 431 433 2 0.5Orange 1,018 963 -55 -5.4Parkes 787 768 -19 -2.4Parramatta 2,419 2,363 -56 -2.3Penrith 2,006 1,969 -37 -1.8Springwood 425 387 -38 -8.9St Marys 1,799 1,778 -21 -1.2Tamworth 2,039 1,986 -53 -2.6Walgett 151 147 -4 -2.6Other (a) 22 7 % %

Total 32,453 31,587 -866 -2.7


13

Table 7d - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Southern New South Wales Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Batemans Bay 689 696 7 1.0Bega 699 686 -13 -1.9Belconnen 1,290 1,237 -53 -4.1Bowral 494 460 -34 -6.9Braddon 823 820 -3 -0.4Cooma 380 376 -4 -1.1Corrimal 1,218 1,162 -56 -4.6Cowra 466 455 -11 -2.4Dapto 1,210 1,156 -54 -4.5Goulburn 845 820 -25 -3.0Griffith 612 575 -37 -6.0Gungahlin 477 466 -11 -2.3Leeton 427 389 -38 -8.9Narooma 283 275 -8 -2.8Nowra 1,819 1,767 -52 -2.9Queanbeyan 592 615 23 3.9Shellharbour 1,599 1,558 -41 -2.6Tuggeranong 873 869 -4 -0.5Tumut 292 288 -4 -1.4Ulladulla 496 476 -20 -4.0Wagga 1,228 1,170 -58 -4.7Woden 510 486 -24 -4.7Wollongong 1,590 1,496 -94 -5.9Yass 105 106 1 1.0Young 588 575 -13 -2.2Other (a) 10 8 % %

Total 19,615 18,987 -628 -3.2


14

Table 7e - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Northern Victoria Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Airport West 1,288 1,257 -31 -2.4Albury 2,742 2,704 -38 -1.4Box Hill 2,274 2,209 -65 -2.9Broadmeadows 3,979 3,979 0 0.0Darebin 3,156 3,055 -101 -3.2Deniliquin 269 279 10 3.7Echuca 595 589 -6 -1.0Epping 3,143 3,067 -76 -2.4Greensborough 1,811 1,748 -63 -3.5Heidelberg 1,483 1,448 -35 -2.4Moreland 3,165 2,998 -167 -5.3Newmarket 1,876 1,840 -36 -1.9Seymour 810 809 -1 -0.1Shepparton 1,958 1,872 -86 -4.4Sth Melbourne 1,178 1,166 -12 -1.0Sunbury 1,015 971 -44 -4.3Wangaratta 1,365 1,334 -31 -2.3Windsor Vic 2,734 2,662 -72 -2.6Yarra 2,485 2,476 -9 -0.4Other (a) 26 31 % %

Total 37,352 36,494 -858 -2.3


15

Table 7f - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Eastern Victoria Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Bairnsdale 1,060 1,045 -15 -1.4Belgrave 588 564 -24 -4.1Boronia 1,265 1,237 -28 -2.2Cheltenham 1,851 1,765 -86 -4.6Cranbourne 1,967 1,921 -46 -2.3Dandenong 2,790 2,642 -148 -5.3Fountain Gate 2,431 2,343 -88 -3.6Frankston 2,691 2,606 -85 -3.2Glen Waverley 1,179 1,154 -25 -2.1Hastings 621 614 -7 -1.1Lilydale 1,379 1,345 -34 -2.5Mornington 574 552 -22 -3.8Morwell 2,592 2,567 -25 -1.0Oakleigh 1,816 1,742 -74 -4.1Pakenham 1,024 1,014 -10 -1.0Ringwood 1,806 1,733 -73 -4.0Rosebud 824 808 -16 -1.9Rowville 722 697 -25 -3.5Sale 805 779 -26 -3.2Springvale 1,992 1,939 -53 -2.7Warragul 746 709 -37 -5.0Wonthaggi 957 912 -45 -4.7Other (a) 2 4 % %

Total 31,682 30,692 -990 -3.1


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Table 7g - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

West Victoria Service Zone by Service CentreFebruary

2015 March 2015Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Ararat 225 223 -2 -0.9Ballarat 3,345 3,217 -128 -3.8Bendigo 2,751 2,707 -44 -1.6Colac 646 631 -15 -2.3Corio 1,958 1,924 -34 -1.7Footscray 1,658 1,648 -10 -0.6Geelong 3,446 3,391 -55 -1.6Hamilton 424 430 6 1.4Horsham 723 704 -19 -2.6Maryborough 577 546 -31 -5.4Melton 2,145 2,110 -35 -1.6Mildura 2,052 1,998 -54 -2.6Newport 1,188 1,128 -60 -5.1Portland 386 368 -18 -4.7Stawell 193 179 -14 -7.3Sunshine 3,743 3,637 -106 -2.8Swan Hill 763 728 -35 -4.6Warrnambool 821 757 -64 -7.8Watergardens 3,709 3,638 -71 -1.9Werribee 4,677 4,608 -69 -1.5Other (a) 21 17 % %

Total 35,451 34,589 -862 -2.4


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Table 7h - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Northern Queensland Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Atherton 984 994 10 1.0Ayr 499 505 6 1.2Biloela 271 269 -2 -0.7Bowen 584 585 1 0.2Cairns Aplin 5,754 5,724 -30 -0.5Charters Towers 500 502 2 0.4Emerald 571 568 -3 -0.5Gladstone 1,422 1,473 51 3.6Indigenous Service Centre 744 721 -23 -3.1Ingham 454 473 19 4.2Innisfail 1,142 1,157 15 1.3Longreach 158 156 -2 -1.3Mackay 2,757 2,877 120 4.4Mareeba 880 862 -18 -2.0Mossman 540 524 -16 -3.0Mt Isa 737 763 26 3.5Normanton 56 55 % %Nth Peninsula Remote Area Service Centre 122 117 -5 -4.1Palm Island 87 97 % %Rockhampton 2,762 2,713 -49 -1.8Thursday Is 67 66 % %Townsville 5,537 5,627 90 1.6Western Cape Remote Area Service Centre 195 148 -47 -24.1Whitsunday 757 790 33 4.4Yarrabah Remote Area Service Centre 484 511 27 5.6Yeppoon 698 681 -17 -2.4Other (a) 86 80 % %

Total 28,848 29,038 190 0.7


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Table 7i - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Central Queensland Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Bundaberg 3,895 3,899 4 0.1Caboolture 3,930 3,884 -46 -1.2Caloundra 1,737 1,725 -12 -0.7Cherbourg 307 308 1 0.3Chermside 1,422 1,394 -28 -2.0Deception Bay 2,651 2,612 -39 -1.5Fortitude Valley 1,464 1,406 -58 -4.0Gympie 1,642 1,667 25 1.5Hervey Bay 2,047 2,001 -46 -2.2Kawana Waters 789 789 0 0.0Kingaroy 870 847 -23 -2.6Margate 242 192 -50 -20.7Maroochydore 1,833 1,768 -65 -3.5Maryborough 1,518 1,512 -6 -0.4Mitchelton 1,686 1,607 -79 -4.7Mt Gravatt 2,582 2,466 -116 -4.5Nambour 1,230 1,203 -27 -2.2Noosa 1,190 1,183 -7 -0.6Nundah 1,788 1,724 -64 -3.6South Brisbane 1,275 1,216 -59 -4.6Stones Corner 2,232 2,169 -63 -2.8Strathpine 2,197 2,212 15 0.7Toowong 1,560 1,446 -114 -7.3Other (a) 10 6 % %

Total 40,097 39,236 -861 -2.1


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Table 7j - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

South Queensland Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Beaudesert 730 765 35 4.8Beenleigh 2,736 2,712 -24 -0.9Biggera Waters 4,084 3,909 -175 -4.3Browns Plains 2,322 2,263 -59 -2.5Capalaba 960 964 4 0.4Charleville 231 213 -18 -7.8Cleveland 1,318 1,305 -13 -1.0Dalby 698 716 18 2.6Goodna 1,814 1,844 30 1.7Goondiwindi 423 426 3 0.7Inala 2,248 2,182 -66 -2.9Ipswich 3,505 3,501 -4 -0.1Nerang 3,852 3,796 -56 -1.5Palm Beach 4,222 4,118 -104 -2.5Roma 166 184 18 10.8Southport 112 147 35 31.3Stanthorpe 435 436 1 0.2Toowoomba 2,651 2,721 70 2.6Warwick 552 544 -8 -1.4Woodridge 2,508 2,475 -33 -1.3Wynnum 1,140 1,153 13 1.1Other (a) 22 20 % %

Total 36,729 36,394 -335 -0.9


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Table 7k - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

South Australia Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Berri 997 921 -76 -7.6Broken Hill 859 811 -48 -5.6Ceduna 240 248 8 3.3Coober Pedy 133 127 -6 -4.5Elizabeth 3,790 3,757 -33 -0.9Enfield 2,002 1,941 -61 -3.0Gawler 1,524 1,486 -38 -2.5Glenelg 969 937 -32 -3.3Kadina 807 802 -5 -0.6Kilkenny 1,683 1,669 -14 -0.8Marion 2,822 2,703 -119 -4.2Modbury 2,482 2,412 -70 -2.8Mt Barker 793 783 -10 -1.3Mt Gambier 1,313 1,286 -27 -2.1Murray Bridge 1,088 1,085 -3 -0.3Noarlunga 3,405 3,304 -101 -3.0Norwood 2,088 1,944 -144 -6.9Port Adelaide 1,884 1,900 16 0.8Port Augusta 867 873 6 0.7Port Lincoln 632 611 -21 -3.3Port Pirie 1,124 1,105 -19 -1.7Salisbury 3,539 3,483 -56 -1.6Torrensville 1,873 1,875 2 0.1Victor Harbor 812 786 -26 -3.2Whyalla 991 1,000 9 0.9Other (a) 15 8 % %

Total 38,732 37,857 -875 -2.3


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Table 7l - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Western Australia Service Zone by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

Albany 1,311 1,291 -20 -1.5Armadale 1,679 1,719 40 2.4Bunbury 2,397 2,385 -12 -0.5Busselton 1,113 1,106 -7 -0.6Cannington 2,130 2,148 18 0.8Carnarvon 221 212 -9 -4.1Esperance 319 335 16 5.0Fremantle 1,814 1,766 -48 -2.6Geraldton 1,626 1,656 30 1.8Gosnells 1,693 1,699 6 0.4Innaloo 1,515 1,465 -50 -3.3Joondalup 2,337 2,389 52 2.2Kalgoorlie 823 843 20 2.4Karratha 386 344 -42 -10.9Laverton Remote Area Service Centre 51 47 % %Mandurah 1,980 1,963 -17 -0.9Meekatharra 192 174 -18 -9.4Midland 2,292 2,351 59 2.6Mirrabooka 2,510 2,450 -60 -2.4Morley 2,457 2,446 -11 -0.4Newman Remote Area Service Centre 127 124 -3 -2.4Northam 1,214 1,211 -3 -0.2Rockingham 2,433 2,422 -11 -0.5South Hedland 539 505 -34 -6.3Success 1,333 1,317 -16 -1.2Victoria Park 2,272 2,229 -43 -1.9Warwick Grove 1,185 1,191 6 0.5Other (a) 23 21 % %

Total 37,972 37,809 -163 -0.4


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Table 7m - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Tasmania and North Australia Service Zones by Service Centre


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

TasmaniaBridgewater 1,065 1,056 -9 -0.8Burnie 1,637 1,570 -67 -4.1Devonport 1,537 1,462 -75 -4.9Glenorchy 1,487 1,457 -30 -2.0Hobart 1,605 1,579 -26 -1.6Huonville 394 399 5 1.3Launceston 4,136 3,970 -166 -4.0Rosny Park 1,383 1,364 -19 -1.4Other (a) 7 7 % %

Total 13,251 12,864 -387 -2.9

North AustraliaAlice Springs 723 731 8 1.1Angurugu RSC 112 100 -12 -10.7Borroloola 26 23 % %Broome 546 535 -11 -2.0Casuarina 828 853 25 3.0Central Australia 1,079 1,047 -32 -3.0Darwin 425 469 44 10.4Derby 92 88 % %Fitzroy Crossing 84 64 % %Galiwinku RSC 119 123 4 3.4Halls Creek 183 181 -2 -1.1Katherine 271 255 -16 -5.9Kimberley Katherine 315 297 -18 -5.7Kununurra 170 197 27 15.9Maningrida 157 179 22 14.0Nhulunbuy 24 24 % %Northern Region 647 628 -19 -2.9Palmerston 1,064 1,067 3 0.3Tennant Creek 262 247 -15 -5.7Tiwi Islands 120 133 13 10.8Wadeye 270 282 12 4.4Yuendumu RSC 25 24 % %Other (a) 41 29 % %

Total 7,583 7,576 -7 -0.1


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Table 7n - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) By Service Zone and Service Centre

Other Service Zone by Service Centre and Australian Total


Variation Number

Variation Per Cent

OtherCentrelink Call Centres 160 188 % %Not Coded To A Zone 1,239 1,103 % %Rounding Adjustment -75 -61 % %

Australia 440,011 431,137 -8,874 -2.0

(a) Job seekers who are not allocated to any of the reported offices.

Notes: Variations for Service Centres with small populations (less than 100) are displayed as % and not reported. Data in this table are rounded monthly averages. In order to protect individuals' privacy, populations less than 20 for specific Service Centres are reported as "<20" and other data that

would allow these populations to be derived are reported as not available "na". Area Support Office boundaries changed to Service Zones from July 2011. The July 2011 edition of this publication includes a

description of the changes.

24

Table 8 - Job Seekers Receiving Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (Other) Fortnightly Earnings and Sex, Fortnight Ending 20 March 2015

Fortnightly EarningsShort-term job seekers

%


%

Total job seekers

%

MalesDid not earn an income 85.6 81.8 83.3Earned an income 14.4 18.2 16.7

Amount earned$0.01 - $62.00 0.5 0.7 0.6$62.01 - $142.00 1.3 1.9 1.7$142.01 - $236.00 2.0 2.7 2.4$236.01 - $316.00 1.4 2.0 1.7Over $316.00 9.1 11.0 10.3

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Job seekers receiving NSA and YA (other) 100,540 154,198 254,738

FemalesDid not earn an income 75.7 70.3 71.9Earned an income 24.3 29.7 28.1


Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Job seekers receiving NSA and YA (other) 54,275 121,446 175,721

PersonsDid not earn an income 82.1 76.7 78.6Earned an income 17.9 23.3 21.4


Total 100.0 100.0 100.0Job seekers receiving NSA and YA (other) 154,815 275,644 430,459

Note:- Long-term job seekers have received income support for 12 months or more.- The earnings data in Table 8 is derived using a different methodology from that of the other tables. Table 8 is based on the combined population of job seekers who are eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) at the end of the second last week in the month. The data obtained from this table will not be directly comparable with those calculated using monthly averages in other tables.

25

Explanatory Notes

IntroductionThis publication provides monthly statistical information on DSS labour market and related payments delivered by DHS. These Explanatory Notes provide details of the scope and methodology of the publication, as well as the policy changes which have affected the data since the publication was introduced in December 1995 by the then Department of Social Security.

Prior to December 1995, this publication was titled the Monthly Job Search and Newstart Allowance Statistics.

ScopeThe primary focus of the publication is to provide information on unemployed people on Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance, with a particular focus on the total number of job seekers. The numbers of people on Mature Age Allowance, Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance are also reported.

MethodologyData in this publication relate to the average number of people who are both eligible (eg. meet ‘unemployed’ qualification) and entitled (eg. meet income and assets criteria) to receive a payment calculated over a reference month. Averages are calculated using figures collected for each Friday throughout the reference month.

Due to a technical fault, the November 2010 figures are based on an average of data collected on the first and last Friday of the month, while the December 2010 figures are based on an average of data collected on the last three Fridays of the month, rather than an average of each Friday in the reference month.

Table 1 provides information on the total number of unemployed people on Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance. The Youth Allowance population is split into Youth Allowance (full-time students), Youth Allowance (Australian Apprentices) and Youth Allowance (other) categories. Numbers of people on Mature Age Allowance, Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance are also provided.

Tables 2 and 3 provide a summary of the Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) populations and show the derivation of the respective job seeker populations (see the reference to job seekers in the Comparability of Data section of these Explanatory Notes). These populations are added together to derive the total number of job seekers. Tables 4 to 8 provide information on the total job seeker population.

The earnings data in Table 8 is derived using a different methodology from that of the other tables in the publication. Table 8 is based on the combined population of job seekers who are eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) at the end of the second last week in the month. The data obtained from this table will not be directly comparable with those calculated using monthly averages in other tables.

26

Payment History

Youth AllowanceThe maximum age for Youth Allowance (other) was increased for new claimants from 20 to 21 years of age from 1 July 2012 and the income free area was increased to $143.

To receive Youth Allowance young people without a Year 12 or equivalent qualification will usually need to:

participate in education and training full-time; or participate full-time (that is, for at least 25 hours a week) in part-time study or training, in

combination with other approved activities, until they attain Year 12 or an equivalent Certificate Level II or above qualification.

The above earn or learn arrangements were phased in, applying from 1 July 2009 to all new recipients of Youth Allowance and from 1 July 2010 for all job seekers in receipt of Youth Allowance prior to 1 July 2009.

From 1 July 1998 Youth Allowance was introduced to provide income support to young people, including students, those looking for work, and those who are sick. Youth allowees may be undertaking full-time study, full-time job search or a combination of approved activities. Some young people will be exempt from the activity test because of their personal circumstances, eg. illness, homelessness or major personal crisis. The Youth Allowance replaced:

AUSTUDY for 16-24 year olds (and certain 15 year olds); Newstart Allowance for 16-20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds); Youth Training Allowance for 16-17 year olds (and certain 15 year olds); Sickness Allowance for 16-20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds); and More-than-minimum rate Family Payment for secondary students aged 16-18 not getting

AUSTUDY.

Youth Allowance recipients are subject to the parental means test. Under previous arrangements, unemployed people aged 18 to 20 were not subject to the parental means test, unlike 18 to 20 year old students.

Special provisions applied for 18 to 20 year olds who were already on Newstart or Sickness Allowance at the date of announcement of Youth Allowance, and who remained on payment when Youth Allowance commenced on 1 July 1998. This group were able to remain on their existing payment and retain their existing benefits.

Youth Allowance had a significant downward effect on Newstart Allowance numbers from July 1998 and total job seeker numbers due to the parental means test.

Newstart AllowanceOn 1 January 2013, grandfathering provisions ceased for Parenting Payment recipients who had been receiving payment prior to 1 July 2006 and had a youngest child aged 6+ years (partnered recipients) or 8+ years (single recipients). The change caused a large one-off increase in the

27

number of Newstart Allowees, as previously grandfathered Parenting Payment recipients who were eligible transferred to Newstart Allowance.On 1 July 2012, the qualification age for Newstart Allowance was increased for new claimants from 21 to 22 years of age.

From 1 July 1998, Newstart Allowance for 16-20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds) was replaced by Youth Allowance. Young people aged 18 to 20 years old who were on Newstart or Sickness Allowance at the date of announcement of Youth Allowance and when Youth Allowance commenced on 1 July 1998, were able to remain on Newstart Allowance.

From 20 October 1996, Job Search Allowance and Newstart Allowance were combined into one payment - Newstart Allowance - which was payable to eligible recipients aged 18 years and over and to some people who were in receipt of Job Search Allowance and aged under 18 at 31 December 1994 (see Job Search Allowance).

Prior to 20 October 1996, Newstart Allowance was payable to eligible persons over 18 years who had been registered as unemployed with the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) for 12 months or more.

Job Search AllowanceFrom 20 October 1996, the payment was combined with Newstart Allowance to form one payment called Newstart Allowance (see Newstart Allowance). All Job Search Allowance recipients were transferred to Newstart Allowance.

Sickness AllowanceFrom 17 March 1996, persons in receipt of Newstart Allowance or Youth Training Allowance who became temporarily incapacitated no longer transferred to Sickness Allowance after 13 weeks. This change had the effect of increasing total Newstart Allowance/Youth Training Allowance figures but did not affect job seeker figures as those recipients who were incapacitated were excluded from the Newstart and Youth Training job seeker populations.

Under current arrangements, these recipients remain on their existing payments but are exempt from the activity test for the duration of their medical certificates. People who become unemployed because of illness, and those who suffer a potential loss of income due to sickness, are paid Newstart Allowance because they are unemployed.

Sickness Allowance for 16 to 20 year olds (and certain 15 year olds) was replaced by Youth Allowance, which was introduced on 1 July 1998 (see Youth Allowance).

Partner AllowanceFrom 20 October 2003, Partner Allowance was closed to new claimants. People on Partner Allowance before this date can remain on the allowance while they remain ‘current’, that is retain eligibility and entitlement for the allowance.

28

From 1 July 1995 Partner Allowance has only been granted to persons who are dependent partners of pensioners and allowees and who were born before 1 July 1955, have no dependent children and have little or no recent workforce experience. Other dependent partners have to qualify for an income support payment in their own right, such as Newstart Allowance.Partner Allowance was introduced in October 1994, and was paid to partners of persons receiving Job Search Allowance, Newstart Allowance, Sickness Allowance or Special Benefit if certain eligibility criteria were satisfied.

Youth Training AllowanceYouth Training Allowance was replaced by Youth Allowance on 1 July 1998 (see Youth Allowance).

Widow AllowanceFrom 1 July 2005 Widow Allowance new grants may only be made to women born on or before 1 July 1955.

Widow Allowance, introduced on 1 January 1995, is payable to females aged 50 years or over who have become widowed, divorced or separated since turning 40 years (50 prior to 20 March 1997), if they meet a number of other criteria relating to current marital status and recent work experience.

Mature Age AllowanceFrom 20 October 2003, Mature Age Allowance was closed to new claimants. The payment ceased by October 2008 .

Mature Age Allowance was introduced on 24 March 1994, and was paid to long-term unemployed persons aged 60 years and over (but below Age Pension age) who had been receiving income support for 9 months or more and who were eligible for Newstart Allowance. The introduction of Mature Age Allowance had a downwards effect on Newstart Allowance numbers from April 1994 until October 2003.

Comparability of DataThere have been significant changes to the data presented in this publication due to a number of events. The main changes are: the method of counting recipients; the inclusion of some CDEP recipients in the total recipient numbers; the introduction of Youth Allowance in July 1998; the way ‘job seeker’ is defined; the way duration is calculated; and the eligibility for Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) from July 2012. the cessation of grandfathered Parenting Payment provisions, which saw an increase in

the number of Newstart recipients in January 2013.

People using this data to construct time series should note the following comments.

29

Definition of RecipientsFrom July 2002, the number of people receiving labour market and related payments reports recipients who are both eligible and entitled to receive a payment. These recipients are otherwise known as ‘current’ recipients.

Revised historical data (using this methodology) from May 1998 to June 2002 is in the July 2002 publication.

Due to improved data sources, data from July 2003 has slight differences from the recipient numbers used in previous editions.

Before July 2002, all recipients who received a payment within a given fortnight were counted. From mid 1998, recipients who received a ‘one-off’ payment were excluded. One-off payments can occur, for instance, when a normal payment is interrupted (eg. payment is cancelled and then restored within that pay period) and a portion of the normal payment is paid.

Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP)From 20 March 2000, eligible participants in CDEP startedreceiving CDEP participant supplement and other add-ons, such as rent assistance, as part of income support payments. This added a number of new recipients to those eligible for payments reported in this publication.

Introduction of Youth AllowanceThe sum of the number of Newstart Allowees and YouthTraining Allowees prior to July 1998 is broadly comparable with the sum of Newstart Allowees and Youth Allowees (other) after July 1998, other than the inclusion of Sickness Allowees in the Youth Allowance (other) population.

There is greater comparability between total Newstart Allowance and Youth Training Allowance job seekers prior to July 1998 and total Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) job seekers after July 1998. This is because the Sickness Allowance group is excluded from the job seeker total.

A pre and post July 1998 comparison will reflect the exclusion of some 18 to 20 year old unemployed people due to the application of the Youth Allowance parental means test (see the Youth Allowance section under Payment History).

Job seekersFrom July 2009, all recipients with job search requirements are classified as job seekers in this report.

Prior to 1 July 2009, some people with another activity (such as training) in addition to job search were classified according to that other activity and not as job seekers. Other people who

30

were receiving Intensive Support Customised Assistance under Job Network arrangements were classified as job seekers although they may not always have been undertaking job search.

From July 1998, the definition of job seekers excludes all people who did not receive a payment due to their own and/or their partner’s income, or where applicable, parental income, and those known not to be required to search for work.

Before July 1998, job seekers excluded allowees who did not receive a payment, allowees who were incapacitated, and allowees who were undertaking training. Some people who were not required to search for work were classified as job seekers, including people undertaking full-time voluntary work, people on jury duty and pregnant women around the time of the birth of their child.

DurationSince May 1998, duration has been defined according to the time a recipient spends on income support - short-term recipients are those who have been on income support for up to 12 months and long-term recipients are those who have been on income support for 12 months or more.

Prior to 1998, duration was defined according to the time a recipient was registered as unemployed - short-term recipients were people who were registered as unemployed for up to 12 months and long-term recipients were people who were registered for 12 months or more.

Symbolsn.a. not available.. not applicable

31

Glossary

Activity test statusThe activity that a Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) recipient has agreed to undertake in order to meet the activity test. To satisfy the activity test recipients must be actively seeking and willing to take up work or undertaking activities to improve their employment prospects.

AgeAge in years at time of data collection.

Area Support OfficeThe term Area Support Office was replaced by Service Zone in July 2011.

Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP)The CDEP program is administered by the Department of Social Services. Reforms to CDEP were introduced from 1 July 2009. Operating mainly in remote areas, the CDEP program aims to help unemployed Indigenous Australians to find and keep jobs. Under the CDEP program, there are two main ways (‘streams’) that CDEP providers assist Indigenous Australians: Work Readiness Services help individuals to develop their skills, improve their chances of getting a job, and move to work outside of the CDEP program; and Community Development focuses on supporting and developing Indigenous communities and organisations.

CDEP Participant Supplement (CPS)The CDEP Participant Supplement (CPS) is payable to eligible CDEP participants. It can be paid fortnightly or as a 12 weekly payment.

Customer Service CentreCustomer Service Centre was replaced by the term Service Centre in July 2011.

Did not receive a paymentPersons who did not receive a payment due to their own income and/or that of their partner, or parents, where applicable. This group is often referred to as ‘zero paid’.

Fortnightly earningsAmount of income earned, derived, or received by a person for the person's own use or benefit in the previous fortnight.

32

IncapacitatedA person on Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) who has an activity test status indicating they are temporarily ill or incapacitated. Refer to the entry for Sickness Allowance in the Explanatory Notes.

Job seekerA person on Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other) who would usually be engaged in job search. See Explanatory Notes for definition and history.

Long-term recipientsPersons who have been receiving income support for 12 months or more. Duration of long-term recipients can be reset to zero if they exited from payments for more than 13 weeks.

Newstart Allowance (NSA) Newstart Allowance is payable to eligible unemployed personsaged 22 years and over (but below Age Pension age) who satisfy the activity test. See Explanatory Notes for history.

Partner Allowance (PA)From 20 October 2003, Partner Allowance was closed to new claimants. People on Partner Allowance before this date can remain on the allowance while they remain ‘current’, that is retain eligibility and entitlement for the allowance.

Partner Allowance was for dependent partners of pensioners and allowees. Partners had to be born before 1 July 1955, have no dependent children and have little or no recent workforce experience. Partner Allowance had no job search requirement. See Explanatory Notes for history.

Service CentreA Service Centre that provides DSS and other payments and related information and services to recipients. Service Centres are managed by Service Zones.

Service ZoneA set of Service Centres, grouped together for operational purposes on a geographic basis. Service Zones replaced Areas and Area Support Offices in July 2011.

Short-term recipientsPersons on Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance who have been receiving income support for less than 12 months. Duration of short-term recipients can be reset to zero if they exited from payments for more than 6 weeks.

33

Widow Allowance (WA)From 1 July 2005 Widow Allowance new grants may only be made to women born on or before 1 July 1955.

Widow Allowance, a non-activity tested payment, is payable to females aged 50 years or over who have become widowed, divorced or separated since turning 40 years if they have little or no recent work experience and meet a number of other criteria relating to current marital status. See Explanatory Notes for history.

Youth Training Allowance (YTA)From 1 January 1995 eligible persons aged under 18 years whowere registered as unemployed with the CES were paid Youth Training Allowance. From 1 July 1998, Youth Training Allowance was replaced by Youth Allowance. See Explanatory Notes for history.

Youth Allowance (YA)Youth Allowance is payable to eligible full-time students aged 16 to 25 years, and to eligible unemployed persons aged 16 to 21 years who satisfy the activity test. Note, there are certain exceptions for some 15 and 25 year olds. See Explanatory Notes for history.

Youth Allowees may be undertaking full-time study, full-time job search or a combination of approved activities. Some young people will be exempt from the activity test because of their personal circumstances, eg. illness, homelessness or major personal crisis. See the Explanatory Notes for more information.

To receive Youth Allowance young people under 22 years of age without a Year 12 or equivalent qualification will usually need to:

participate in education and training full-time; or participate full-time (that is, for at least 25 hours a week) in part-time study or training, in

combination with other approved activities, until they attain Year 12 or an equivalent Certificate Level II or above qualification.

Youth Allowance (other)Youth Allowance recipients who are not full-time students or full-time Australian Apprentices.

Zero paidSee ‘Did not receive a payment’.

34

Appendix

Comparisons Between DSS Unemployment Labour Market Payment Numbers And ABS Labour Force Unemployment Statistics

Official statisticsOfficial unemployment statistics are released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS uses definitions recommended by the International Labour Organization which have been accepted internationally as the most appropriate for the compilation of official statistics of unemployment.

ABS definitionThe ABS unemployment statistics measure the number of persons who, for a particular reference period, did not undertake any paid work, were actively looking for work and were available to start work.

DSS Unemployment Labour Market Payment StatisticsThe labour market payment statistics give the number of persons who are both eligible and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other). The criteria for receipt of these payments do not match those the ABS uses to determine whether a person is classed as unemployed or employed for statistical purposes.

DifferencesCare should be taken when comparing the ABS labour force and DSS labour market payment data. There are a number of reasons why the two series cannot be directly compared.

DurationBoth DSS and the ABS classify long-term duration as over 12 months, but use substantially different definitions of duration:

DSS measures duration of income support. This includes not just time on unemployment benefits but time on any income support payment.

The ABS measures length of time unemployed using their unemployment definition.

DSS unemployed recipients can have breaks without payment and still be classified as long-term income support recipients:

Recipients who do not receive a payment due to their earnings can have up to 12 weeks without a payment before they are automatically cancelled. This reduces disincentives to accept short-term work.

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Long-term recipients can have 13 weeks off payment after payment is cancelled and keep their long-term status if they return to income support. This means they keep access to assistance such as the higher payment rate for recipients over 60.

For the ABS statistics, any hours of work for a period as short as two weeks count as a break from unemployment and so are enough to reset a person’s unemployment duration.

The difference between these two concepts, together with the fact that DSS recipients are able to have ongoing part-time work (see ‘employment’ below) mean that many unemployed recipients remain classified by DSS as long-term recipients when they would be classified as short-term unemployed under the ABS definition.

Seasonal adjustmentThe ABS produces a seasonally adjusted series. The DSS labour market payment numbers data are not seasonally adjusted.

ClassificationThe ABS classifies a person as unemployed if he or she is aged 15 years and over, was not employed during the week before the interview, has actively looked for full-time or part-time work and is available to start work. From February 2004, people who had not actively looked for work because they were waiting to start a job within four weeks are also classified as unemployed.

The Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) series generally count people who are eligible for and entitled to receive a payment between the ages of 15 years and 64 years in the case of men and 15 to 63 years in the case of women.

EmploymentNewstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) recipients may be employed part-time, but within an income test limit; the ABS classifies a person as "employed" if, among other things, he or she has worked for one hour or more during the survey period.

TimingThe timing of collections of the series are different:

DSS reports monthly average numbers of people both eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other). These monthly averages are calculated using figures collected for each Friday throughout the reference month.

ABS numbers are based on a sample survey which interviews occupants of selected dwellings covering around 0.33% of the total Australian population. These persons are generally interviewed during the two weeks beginning the Sunday between the 5th and 11th of each month and the information obtained relates to the week before the interview takes place.

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Treatment of partnersThe ABS series includes unemployed persons whose spouse is working, irrespective of income, whereas Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) recipients are subject to an income and assets test for themselves and their spouse.

PensionersThe ABS series includes persons being paid a pension but looking for work (eg. sole parents in receipt of Parenting Payments looking for work).

Non job seekersThe overall Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other) series includes persons who are not required to undertake jobsearch. These persons are separately identified in Tables 2 and 3, and have then been excluded in subsequent tables. These people may be undertaking training, the development of self-employment opportunities, full-time voluntary work or a combination of voluntary and part-time work which excludes them from jobsearch obligations. They may also be incapacitated or have another temporary exemption from jobsearch.

Waiting periodsThe ABS series includes persons who are serving a waiting period before being granted Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance (other), or whose allowance was deferred.

SurveyThe ABS figures are derived from a Labour Force Survey which is a sample survey, whereas the DSS statistics are a complete count of those both eligible for and entitled to receive Newstart Allowance and Youth Allowance (other).

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For More Information

Labour market informationOther statistics on recipients of labour market related payments are available on request.

In addition to Newstart and Youth Allowances, statistics are also available on Partner Allowance, Parenting Payment, Sickness Allowance, ABSTUDY and Widow Allowance.

For enquiries email:[email protected]

Written correspondence concerning this publication or statistics on labour market related payments should be addressed to:

DirectorIncome Support Information Social Security Performance and Analysis BranchSocial Policy GroupDepartment of Social ServicesPO Box 7576Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610

Other recipient informationThe Department of Social Services publishes statistics about the various pensions, benefits and family payments which the Department administers, on a quarterly basis on the Australian Government’s centralised data publishing site, data.gov.au (http://www.data.gov.au/organization/about/department-of-social-services). A statistical overview is published on an annual basis on the Department’s website, DSS - Statistical Paper Series (http://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/publications-articles/research-publications/statistical-paper-series).

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http://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/publications-articles/research-publications/statistical-paper-series

http://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/publications-articles/research-publications/statistical-paper-series

http://www.data.gov.au/organization/about/department-of-social-services

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Labour%20Market%20and%20Related%20Payments%20publication

Documents

LABOUR MARKET · Web viewBetween March 2014 and March 2015 Total Newstart Allowance (NSA) and Youth Allowance (other) (YA(o)) recipients increased 2.3 per cent overall from 847 057