Workforce Australia & the Points Based Activation System (PBAS)
Workforce Australia & the Points Based Activation System (PBAS)
In July 2022, Workforce Australia replaced jobactive, the Australian Government’s employment service. Workforce Australia helps people to find, keep, and change jobs or create their own job. Workforce Australia introduces a flexible Points Based Activation System for all individuals who have mutual obligation requirements in Workforce Australia Online and Workforce Australia Services.
Points Based Activation System (PBAS) – Key Information:
- What is the Points based Activation System?
- How does the PBAS work?
- What tasks and activities contribute to the points target?
- Meeting your points total
- Who does the PBAS apply to?
- Who can I call to talk through my concerns?
- PBAS tasks and activities table
What is the Points Based Activation System (PBAS)
The Points Based Activation System (PBAS) is the new and flexible approach to job seeker activation. It provides individuals with choice and flexibility around the way they manage and meet their mutual obligation requirements in return for their income support.
Under PBAS, you’re encouraged to actively engage and participate in tasks and activities. You’re rewarded through earning points to meet a points target.
IMPORTANT: To receive income support payments, mutual obligation requirements must be met while searching for work. Mutual obligations are part of the new Workforce Australia Points Based Activation System (PBAS).
Each reporting period you will be required to earn a set number of points. This number of points are tailored to each job seeker based on their personal circumstances and location. The maximum number of points that can be given to any job seeker is 100 per reporting month.
Points must be earned during every reporting month and are earned by completing tasks and activities such as:
- minimum number of job searches
- going for job interviews
- paid or voluntary work
- work experience
- training opportunities
- online learning modules.
What tasks and activities contribute to the points target?
Each task and activity have a different point value. For a detailed breakdown of points values visit this page on the Workforce Australia website or scroll to the bottom of this article to see the points values table.
Meeting your points total
Your CoAct Connect mentor will discuss the number of points you need to earn for each reporting month. They will also work with you on earning and reporting.
Every participant’s points total will differ as it is determined by personal circumstances and location. Therefore, you will have different points requirements to other Workforce Australia participants.
If you are having issues reaching your required number of points it is very important you reach out to your CoAct Connect mentor as your income payments can be impacted.
Who does the PBAS apply to?
PBAS applies to all individuals who have mutual obligation requirements in Workforce Australia Online and Workforce Australia Services. The Points Based Activation System (PBAS) does not apply to participants in Transition to Work, ParentsNext, Disability Employment Services or the Community Development Program. Participants in these programs do not use the points system and continue with their mutual obligation requirements the same way they do now.
Who can I call to talk through my concerns?
If you are registered with CoAct or one of our Service Partners Providers your CoAct Connect mentor is available to chat through any of your questions or concerns about PBAS and meeting your points total. If you are having issues reaching your required number of points it is very important you reach out to your CoAct Connect mentor as your income payments can be impacted.
If you are self-managing your job search through Workforce Australia Online, please contact their Digital Service Contact Centre (DSCC) for any assistance you may require. Their contact details are 1800 314 677 or [email protected].
If you have general questions or concerns about Workforce Australia please call the Government’s National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260 or Services Australia on 133 276.
PBAS Tasks and Activities Table:
| Tasks and activities | Points value |
| Completing a job application (job search) | 5 points |
| Creating and updating the profile | 5 points (maximum of 5 points per month) |
| Online learning modules (2) (Short online modules to support resume writing, tailoring job applications, getting work experience) | 5 points (maximum of 5 points per month) |
| Paid work | 5 points for 5 hours (rounded up) |
| Participant sourced voluntary work (For example, fire reserves, school canteen) | 5 points for 5 hours (maximum of 10 points per month) |
| Driver’s licence hours | 10 points for 5 hours (rounded up) |
| Counselling (1) | 15 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Drug and alcohol rehabilitation and/ or interventions (1) | 15 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Non-vocational assistance (1) (For example, cultural services, personal development courses) | 15 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Provider workshops/ Informal activities (1) (For example, work preparation activities/job clubs) | 15 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Self help and support groups (1) | 15 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Defence Force Reserves | 15 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Career Transition Assistance | 15 points per week |
| Work related licences and qualifications (For example, forklift licence/white card) | 20 points (with flexibility to increase) |
| Attending a job fair | 20 points (points can be claimed for one job fair per year) |
| Career coaching – Youth Advisory Sessions (2) | 20 points (limited to 3 sessions per year) |
| Other government programs (1) (For example, local, state or federal government programs with an employment focus, such as the Indigenous Skills and Employment program) | 20 points per week (contact hours over 15 hours per week) 15 points per week (contact hours up to 15 hours per week) |
| Non-government programs (1) (For example, approved Not for Profit organisations, work-focused programs or vocational interventions approved by the Department, such as the Woolworths Program, Job Ready Program) | 20 points per week (contact hours over 15 hours per week) 15 points per week (contact hours up to 15 hours per week) |
| Self-Employment Assistance Exploring Self-Employment workshop | 20 points per week |
| Education and training (3) | 20 points per week (contact hours over 15 hours per week) 15 points per week (contact hours up to 15 hours per week) |
| Employability Skills Training | 20 points per week (25 hours per week) 15 points per week (15 hours per week) |
| Observational work experience (1) Provider sourced voluntary work (1) | 20 points per week (contact hours over 15 hours per week) 15 points per week (contact hours up to 15 hours per week) |
| Work for the Dole (1) | 20 points per week (contact hours over 15 hours per week) 15 points per week (contact hours up to 15 hours per week) |
| Adult Migrant English Program (4) | 25 points per week (contact hours over 15 hours per week) 15 points per week (contact hours up to 15 hours per week) |
| Skills for Education and Employment (4) | 25 points per week |
| Attending a job interview | 25 points |
| Driver’s licence attainment (1) | 25 points |
| Launch into Work (1) (4) | 25 points per week |
| Self-Employment Assistance Small Business Training (4) | 25 points per week |
| Local Jobs Program Workforce Specialist Projects | 25 points per week (high-intensity level) 20 points per week (medium-intensity level) 15 points per week (low-intensity level) |
| Starting a job | 50 points |
| Relocation for a job (5) | Up to 100 points |
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