Re-joining the Workforce

Published at: ‘Newslink’, Headstart ABI Service; December 2010.

Re-joining the workforce is rather daunting at first, particularly when it’s been a while. In addition, Centrelink requires that you report fortnightly and has what seems to be an insatiable appetite for slain trees! Still, given that you lose fifty cents for every dollar you earn over the cut-off point, it pays to be organised and have everything sorted.

As a beneficiary, you are posted notice of the periods which each payment concerns. With this notice, the apt reporting days are listed. To make this task easier, you are issued with Reporting Your Earnings Worksheets which are filled out each fortnight.

Being mindful of the set time-frame, you take note of the dates, hours and hourly rates of when you have worked. Using these figures, you then contact Centrelink on the ‘Reporting Day’ and update the system with your current details. Reporting must be done by 5pm on the due date, so that payment is not delayed and you are paid the correct amount. 

It helps to know there are several different ways to report.

-       Via website at

www.centrelink.gov.au;

-       Call Centrelink on 133276;

-       Visit your local Centrelink office.

Any problems, don’t be afraid to ask your carers or family for help.

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