What is the Remote Engagement Program Payment and who is eligible?

In Plain English

The Remote Engagement Program Payment is a supplementary income support payment of $190 per fortnight designed to encourage jobseekers in remote areas to participate in activities that build their skills and help them find and keep employment. To be eligible, a person must be receiving a qualifying income support payment, receiving employment services from a remote engagement program provider, and participating in a remote engagement placement for at least 15 hours per week. This program is currently being trialled in CDP Region 3 – Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

Detailed Explanation

The Social Security (Remote Engagement Program Payment) Determination 2023 establishes the framework for the Remote Engagement Program Payment, as authorized by the Social Security Act 1991.

Key aspects of the program:

  • Purpose: To trial incentives for economic and community participation in remote regions, specifically to determine if an additional $190 per fortnight encourages jobseekers to participate in placements designed to build skills.
  • Eligibility: According to section 661A of the Social Security Act 1991, a person qualifies for the Remote Engagement Program Payment if they meet the following criteria throughout the relevant period:
    • Receiving a "qualifying remote income support payment" (as defined in section 661B of the Social Security Act 1991).
    • Receiving employment services from a "remote engagement program provider".
    • The Secretary is satisfied that the person has agreed to participate, and is participating, in a "remote engagement placement" for at least 15 hours per week under the "remote engagement program".
    • Satisfies any additional qualification requirements determined by the Minister.
  • Remote Engagement Program and Placement: The Social Security (Remote Engagement Program Payment) Determination 2023 specifies that the remote engagement program is the arrangement set out in Part G of Annexure 1 to the Head Agreement for the Community Development Program 2019-2024 between the Commonwealth and both the Paupiyala Tjarutja Aboriginal Corporation and the Ngaanyatjarra Council Aboriginal Corporation. A remote engagement placement is the REP Placement set out in the same part of the Head Agreement.
  • Payment Rate: Clause 7 of the Social Security (Remote Engagement Program Payment) Determination 2023 sets the rate of the remote engagement program payment at $190 per fortnight, as permitted by subsection 661E(2) of the Social Security Act 1991.
  • Time Limits: According to section 661D of the Social Security Act 1991, the remote engagement program payment is not payable to a person who has received it for a continuous period of 104 weeks, or for any period starting on or after 1 July 2024.
  • No Claim Required: Section 12AG of the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 states that a claim is not required for a remote engagement program payment.