Referring a Jobseeker/Participant for an
Employment Services Assessment Job Aid
Instructions
Notes
The Employment Services provider (ESP) must
determine if the job seeker/Participant requires
an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt)
referral after considering the factors identified in
the Referral for an Employment Services
Assessment Guidelines for DES or JSA.
Job Services Australia (JSA) providers can refer
job seekers in stream 4 for an Employment
Services Assessment (ESAt).
JSA providers can conduct the Job Seeker
Classification Instrument (JSCI) for new job
seekers in Streams 1 to 3 but referral for an
ESAt can only be made by the Department of
Human Services (Human Services).
Where the ESP determines that a referral for an
ESAt should be made they should select Referral
from the Registration and Referral menu within
the Job Seekers menu.
On the Referral tab select the ESAt referral type
and the appropriate reason.
When making the referral to an ESAt,
select from the following ESAt referral
Information: The most appropriate referral reason reasons:
should be selected from the available list.

Change of Circumstances (DES/JSA)
The job seeker/Participant must be asked to select
the location they wish to be referred to. If the job
seeker/Participant does not express a preference,
or their preference is not available, a location
should be agreed. When the information is
provided press the ‘Make Appointment’ button.

DES-DMS Direct Registration (DES)

DES-DMS Review (DES)

DES-DMS Review DSP Volunteer (DES)

DES-ESS Direct Registration (DES)
In the ‘JCA Referral Additional Details’ pop-up
enter the contact details of the provider making
the referral, any relevant information on the
reasons why the Assessment is necessary and any
special requirements, then press the ‘OK’ button.

DES-ESS Review (DES)

DES-ESS Review DSP Volunteer (DES)

DSP Volunteer (DES/JSA), or

Exceptional Circumstances (DES/JSA)
A list of available sessions at the selected location
will be displayed—the earliest suitable
appointment time with the Assessor should be
selected in consultation with the job
seeker/Participant.
Information: Disability Support Pension (DSP)
recipients MUST be referred for a ESAt using the
appropriate DSP Volunteer referral reason.
Using other referral reasons may put the
Participant’s eligibility for DSP at risk. For
further detail, please refer to the Referral for an
Employment Services Assessment Guidelines for
DES or JSA.
Information: Details entered into the JCA Referral
Additional Details pop-up provides the Assessor
with information on the need for the Assessment
and any special arrangements necessary. If
required, the Assessor may call the provider for
The following details are required when
Referring a Jobseeker/Participant for an Employment Services Assessment Job Aid
TRIM Id. D12/493577
Effective Date: 01 October 2012
1
Instructions
Notes
further information or to clarify information
provided.
making an ESAt referral:

Job seeker/Participant details

referring organisation details

reason for the ESAt

other referral information, and

provider’s details.
Information: If the ESP considers that a job
seekers/Participant’s behaviour is potentially
threatening, they should notify the Assessor by
telephone before the scheduled appointment.
When choosing a suitable appointment, choose
the earliest appointment that suits the job
seeker/Participant and allows sufficient time
for:
When making the appointment print out the
appointment letter containing the details of the
appointment and provide that information to the
job seeker/Participant. This can be done in
person, by phone or mail. Refer to Referral for an
Employment Services Assessment Guidelines for
DES or JSA.
the purpose of the ESAt

what the ESAt will involve, and

the importance of taking relevant medical
evidence to the ESAt appointment, where
appropriate.
the Assessor to arrange any special
requirements such as an interpreter, and

the job seeker/Participant to obtain any
required medical evidence.
The job seeker/Participant must be
advised:
The job seeker/Participant should also be
informed about:


The job seeker/Participant should also be
provided with a copy of the Employment Services
Assessment Client Fact Sheet.
Information: Activity Tested Participants must be
informed that attendance at the ESAt is
compulsory.
Volunteers (Non-activity Tested) may decline to
undertake an ESAt at any time. If a JSA job seeker
decides not to undertake the ESAt they may be
commenced or remain in the Stream assigned by

that the Assessment will involve an
interview to determine their work
capacity and the employment services
assistance that they will need to help
them gain work

the date, time and venue for the ESAt—
an appointment letter with the details is
available when the referral is made in
DEEWR’s IT System

the reason for the assessment—for
example, the job seeker/Participant
being referred has disclosed an addiction
or a medical condition that is affecting
their ability to participate in the activities
listed in their Employment Pathways Plan

of the importance of disclosing all
barriers to employment, including
disability or mental health issues, to
ensure they receive the most
appropriate assistance

of the importance of taking relevant
medical evidence to the ESAt
appointment, if applicable. Job
Referring a Jobseeker/Participant for an Employment Services Assessment Job Aid
TRIM Id. D12/493577
Effective Date: 01 October 2012
2
Instructions
Notes
their JSCI or exited if they agree. If a DES
Participant decides not to undertake an ESAt, they
are not eligible to participate in DES.
seekers/Participants who present for an
ESAt without medical evidence:
o
may not be referred to the most
appropriate service for their needs
o
may not access some Income
Support Payments and social security
concessions, and
o
will not have their medical conditions
taken into account when
determining work capacity and
therefore their participation
requirements
Note: Refer to Medical Evidence
Requirements for Employment Services
Assessments Fact Sheet.

that they may have a nominee, for
example a mental health services
provider, a family member, advocate,
social worker or counsellor attend the
assessment to assist them

if they are Activity Tested or have
participation requirements, that
attending the ESAt appointment is
compulsory and that non-attendance
without a valid reason or not notifying
the Assessor of their non attendance
may result in them not receiving Income
Support Payments until they attend

that they may be referred to a different
service after the Assessment that better
meets their needs

of the requirement to contact the
Assessor at least 24 hours before the
appointment time if they cannot attend
the ESAt appointment. Where this
timeframe cannot be met the job seeker
should still contact the Assessor to advise
that they cannot attend and the reason
why, and

to take a copy of Employment Services
Assessment Client Fact Sheet.
Attendance at the ESAt is not compulsory for
Volunteers (Non-activity Tested) but they
should be advised to inform the Assessor if they
choose to not to attend the ESAt. Assessors are
not required to notify referring JSA providers if
Referring a Jobseeker/Participant for an Employment Services Assessment Job Aid
TRIM Id. D12/493577
Effective Date: 01 October 2012
3
Instructions
Notes
a Volunteer (Non-activity Tested) decides not
to attend an ESAt appointment.
The ESP should follow-up with the job seeker or
the Assessor if they wish to confirm details of
the Volunteer’s (Non-activity Tested)
attendance.
Referring a Jobseeker/Participant for an Employment Services Assessment Job Aid
TRIM Id. D12/493577
Effective Date: 01 October 2012
4