Job Capacity Assessment

The Australian Government's Welfare to Work reforms, introduced on 1 July 2006, changed the referral process for job seekers wanting to access specialist disability employment assistance programs such as Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Disability Employment Network.

Job seekers wishing to receive support from a specialist employment service are now required to have a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA).

What is a Job Capacity Assessment?

A Job Capacity Assessment is an appointment with a skilled assessor who will assess your capacity to work, taking into consideration your individual circumstances. The assessment will help identify, and refer you to, the employment service that best suits your needs.

Why do I need a Job Capacity Assessment?

A Job Capacity Assessment is required if:

• you have barriers to obtaining work and wish to receive certain income support payments, such as Newstart Allowance or the Disability Support Pension
• you need help to find and maintain a job or you have part time or no capacity to work
• you wish to receive support from a specialist disability employment service

How do I set up a Job Capacity Assessment?

Generally, Centrelink or an employment support provider such as a Disability Employment Network can refer you for a Job Capacity Assessment. An appointment time will be scheduled for you.

What happens at the assessment?

Your assessor will talk to you about any barriers you may have to finding and keeping a job. Your assessor will also discuss with you possible referral options to an employment or related service. In most cases, the assessment will involve a face-to-face discussion between you and the assessor. All face-to-face assessments will take place at the assessor's office which may not be at your local Centrelink office.

A friend, relative or advocate can attend the appointment with you and, if you prefer, you can ask for a male or female assessor to conduct the assessment. You will need to advise the person who is making your Job Capacity Assessment appointment if you have a preference about the gender of your assessor.

How long will the assessment take?

There is no set time period for completing the assessment as this will vary according to your individual needs. However, on average an assessment may take between one and two hours.

What should I take to the appointment?

Your Job Capacity Assessor will consider all information and evidence that you bring to the assessment and will take this into account when preparing their report. It is important that you bring medical evidence about your disability to your assessment. Examples of the types of information or evidence about your disability that you should bring include (but are not limited to):

• Treating Doctor's Report (Centrelink form SA012)
• Centrelink Medical Certificate
• Standard GP Medical Certificate
• Specialist Medical Report
• Special School Report
• Psychologist Report /psychometric test results
• Prescription/sample medication
• Hospital/outpatients reports
• Reports from community services, (e.g. Drug and Alcohol support services)

Medical evidence is important to the Job Capacity Assessment. If you do not provide medical evidence you may:

• have your appointment rescheduled or cancelled until evidence is provided
• be unable to access the most appropriate service or have access delayed
• not have your medical condition taken into account when your participation
  requirements are determined
• be unable to access some income support payments and social security concessions
• be ineligible for Disability Employment Network or vocational rehabilitation services

What if I need an interpreter or have special requirements?

If required, your assessment provider can arrange a qualified interpreter, including an AUSLAN sign language interpreter, to assist at your assessment. You will need to advise the person who is making your Job Capacity Assessment appointment if you require an interpreter or have any special requirements.

What happens after the assessment?

Wherever possible, you will be referred to an employment or related service to help you find and maintain work. In most cases, referral details will be provided to you at the completion of your assessment.

Your Job Capacity assessor will prepare a report about your work capacity. This report will be provided to Centrelink and, where applicable, a decision will be made about the type of income support for which you are eligible. The report will also inform Centrelink and/or your employment or related service provider about your ability to look for work, and any appropriate support or services that you require.

Any income support decision will be made by Centrelink, not the assessor.

How do I obtain a copy of my Job Capacity Assessment?

You may make a request to Centrelink under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to obtain or inspect your Job Capacity Assessment report.

Additional Information

For additional information about Job Capacity Assessments, please contact the Job Capacity Assessment Hotline on 1300 136 526, Email

If you have concerns about how your Job Capacity Assessment was conducted you should firstly speak to the Job Capacity Assessor who conducted your assessment.

If you do not wish to raise a complaint directly with the Job Capacity Assessor or their organisation, you can call and lodge a Job Capacity Assessment complaint with:

• Centrelink's FreeCallTM Customer Relations Line on 1800 050 004 or
• Centrelink's TTY Customer Relations service on 1800 000 567 (only for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment and have access to use a TTY phone)

If you are not satisfied with Centrelink's decision or the actions of your Job Capacity Assessor, you may complain to the Commonwealth Ombudsman:

Commonwealth Ombudsman

PO Box K825, Haymarket NSW 1240

Phone: 1300 362 072

Online complaint form