art and dole » Centrelink Timeline

Centrelink Timeline

So, you’re looking for art jobs, keeping up with the visual arts scene, and generally trying to make it from art school status to art career. As a worst case scenario - what am I likely going to be in for - 3 months, 6 months, 2 years?

They’ll probably leave you alone, besides having to put in your fortnightly forms. Just like art school, eh? Of course you aren’t allowed to only look for art jobs or things in the visual arts.

After 3 Months

You’ll probably get regularly bugged by your Job Network provider (“Intensive Customised Assistance” in Centrespeak). Their types of bugging include one to one interviews (perhaps on a fortnightly basis) signing things they put in front of you, and perhaps a three week course (see “How do I get out of Intensive Job Support Training”). How much they bother you is dependent on the place, a bit on the person, and what they personally feel is the value of the visual arts.

At Month 6

You’ll probably have to do work for the dole by now. (Info on that is in the Mutual Obligation link, to the left). People have gone back to art schools and had their art courses count for this!

12 Months

They call it “Intensive Support Customised Assistance”, which is a heavier version of the above. You can lose the “luxury” of choosing what jobs you’ll go for (you never had the luxury to chose only art jobs anyway), they can put you through three days a week work preparation, and you can have weekly meetings with them. One week is something (very sadly) called “Job Club” (another a one-on-one). They don’t ask artists if they feel like joining this particular club.

After 2 Years

And if they think you’re a “serial avoider” (you can argue this) they can put you into full time work for the dole, which is basically eternal slavery. Unless you managed to organise some mutual obligation in the visual arts somewhere. That way, if you wanted to look for a job in your (art) field, you don’t have to run away or something.

Any updated information? Leave it here

1:28 am by Intern in Uncategorized

5 Comments »

yo mr dole,

it seems that they want to put you straight into work for the dole when you first sign up these days.

bastardos

Comment by hello — August 11, 2008 @ 2:13 am
Just wondering - can you claim the dole for 3 months and then knock off for a while to avoid mutual obligations/work for the dole? If so, how long do you need to ‘take yourself out of the system’ before that relatively peaceful 3 months can start again?

Cheers guys.

Alex

Comment by Alex — December 10, 2008 @ 2:29 am
hi,
the latest info we have is you need to stop for 13 weeks - a little over 3 months.
check out http://artanddole.org/long-term-welfare-questions
although some folks have been lucky - not putting in a form or two, having to start again with a new agreement, and the slate is a little cleaner. it all depends on who you get and your circumstances.
cheers,
art and dole

Comment by Intern — December 10, 2008 @ 2:36 am
Hey guys,
As of July 1, the timeframes and mutual obligation schedule is all about to change…. BUT, no one seems to know (that I know) what those changes will be. Apparently there will be a relaxation of the mutual obligation scheme, but again, no firm details.
Do you have any news on this?

Thanks

Bonnie Tyler

Comment by Bonnie Tyler — June 15, 2009 @ 6:37 am
Hello,
What about performing artists ‘acting’? Can I do an acting course to exempt the mutual obligation? Where can novice actors get a break? I would appreciate any help out there from someone who can guide me. Thank you.

Comment by Eve — September 19, 2009 @ 6:00 am