Helllloooooo out there! Maybe someone can help me out with this question.

IF you don't want a job just ask 8 place a month for a job make sure they are places that wouldn't have a job for you get to sing your book and Bob your uncle maybe asks at the caravan park your at for a manager job

We are in a similar situation, I am on a disability pension and management is, like you on newstart. She does her 15 hours a week at a local school working with the pre schoolers and loves it. We have been doing this for the last year. We intend to take off for a couple of months next year - we have a place picked out. Management is going to contact them and see if they want a volunteer at the local school (blue card holder etc) I intend to go fishing. It may be a suggestion to get some local school experience before you head off and then contact places in advance to see if they want volunteers... there are many places crying out for a bit of help.... We mentioned this to out local Centrelink and they said "no problem... It doesnt matter where you do it ... so long as you do it..... hope this helps  Oh yeah and I forgot to add (this is the edit) we get a 4 day weekend each weekend, management works tues - thursday, and if you manipulate the work week you can go away thursday arvo and then next week work wed thurs friday.... food for thought

-- Edited by petengail on Thursday 11th of November 2010 06:44:32 PM

Have you discussed your plans with Centrelink? They are the ones controlling everything. They will register you with employment agencies along the way. If you check in along the way, see what they have for you when you get to your next destination. It's all about checking in. You may be able to earn a few bucks on the travels. Have a little forward plan so you can still "comply" with their conditions, as stupid as they are. I'm registered with an agency in Cairns. I've advised them what I'm doing and that I have work to go to. They've sent me a message to register with some other agency in a town I've already passed through. Just keep Centrelink informed and the agency posted and it should be sweet.

Whats stupid about their conditions. The payment of Newstart is for people seeking work and a generous condition is to allow those over 55 to contribute to society by doing 2 days volunteer work. When you are on the road to legally qualify for Newstart you should be looking for work.

Isn't that weird there were a couple of people at Burren Pool talking about that very same problem today!

Well Didaust, it's stupid because Centrelink can't keep up with their own rules and what their "clients" are doing, in spite of being able to update on the internet. Then what we do is open to interpretation by individual staff in every office around the country, in spite of the fact they all use the same policy manual. That's why it's stupid. The concept of people looking for work or actually working is not stupid, but the way these policies are administered by Centrelink is stupid. They make the rules but can't manage them, while we out here in the real world do our best to comply. Look out if we get it wrong! Now, let me tell you about rent assistance while you're on the road, when you've been on the road for more than 4 years - or not. Nah, I won't put you through that.

Hi guys,
"Yes" Cruising Granny your so right, it's all a game. If you don't play Centre-link's game,"Well" it's all over" you just miss out. 

Once your been in the system and tell the right staff the answer they want to hear (C/Link's) I'm sure you will continue to play there games.

"Please remember"??????? guys, it's all about how much money your want to live on, 
It doesn't mean money is everything,"But boy it does help"
So after all, it's up to you how long you can handle the Crap???????
That's my thoughts
cheers
Mick

What gets me bout centrelink, is being told what to do by a 20yr old, who has only worked for a couple of years, not 40yrs! And has yet to aquire empathy. Grrrr.....

WELLLLLL !!!!!!!! Don't start me on C/link. I've been fortunate enough to have never needed their assistance in all my life...however, with Dero having just retired, I figured maybe..just maybe... I could get a health care card. So, I applied!!! Now, standing in line for 3 hours each visit {no joke} was ok, but the paper work and question just kept comming. I decided I would jump thru every "hoop" they threw at me, but when I was asked "How much I had sold a house for, and what had I done with the money" I nearly lost it!! The house they were refering to was sold 10 years ago!!! We've had a couple since then!!! When I told them I don't remember how much I sold it for...Bugger Me. There was the price up on their screen!!! I told them, I spent the money and in future if they wanted to know anything more about me, I would come in...line up for another 3 hours...and they could look up the info on their computors. I'm still waiting for a reply. C/link is ok for those that really need assistance. When I was 13... it was a case of find work or starve!!! I soon found work. Cheers Dellie

Dear me good people - I questioned a "stupid rules" remark in the hope of suggesting that you contact your local Federal member and complain about the legislation that supports the so called "stupid rule". I feel like a dog in a pen with the only bone. As for a 3 hour queue- I would only queue 3 hours for the best sporting tickets. That's pathetic and did you complain to someone other than this forum? Write to Centrelink- write to the Minister, see your local member- 3 hours is not acceptable. 40 years experience doesn't make anyone an expert. I would hate to have to interpret all that legislation and we all better get use to being served by someone YOUNGER in every service & store. I took a while to adjust to having a younger GP. Tax payers should not have to fund people travelling around the countryside unwilling to contribute to society. I salute all those folk who do volunteer work.

If you are going to rely on our society to support you via newstart Don't you think that you should endevour to support those that are helping you and do the right thing. Find a job don't just be content to be a leech. As for asking at places where you know there's no jobs, how fair dinkum is that?

Didiaust.. you are so right. Three hours is unacceptable, but, that is what it takes in this part of the world. We are completely self funded retirees, as many others are... but I think applying for a health care card isn't asking too much as we have certaintly "pulled our weight" over the years. I think what I object to is...Paying $38.00 for a prescription, when the kid at the counter is only paying $5.00 for hers. She is on the dole!!. I feel we are certaintly being penalised for doing the right thing all our working lives. We worked, saved, worked some more and planned. Now we cost the government not one sent!!! Surely.... we deserve a health care card at our age. C/link is necessary, I agree, but the rorting is so unfair, and apparently so easy for some. Cheers Dellie

I'm going back to work after being on Disability for more than 6 years. I'm fortunate my doctor in Cairns persisted with investigating my health, and my once chronic issues have been cured by surgery. I'm healthier at 60 than I was at 50. The Centrelink experience is demoralising, and no amount of complaint to the office or the local member will change it. It's just the attitude and atmosphere in the offices. Going to Centrelink to lodge my rent form is a traumatic experience, because, despite all my efforts to keep them up to date, they get it very wrong. Trying to explain everything all around the country every time, despite the fact my current details are on the computer, is one of the most demoralising experiences. I've been the recipient of benefits over the years as a single mum and now the disability. My complaints have changed a few policies, but nothing improves the attitude of many of the staff. We are all considered to be ripping the system off, no matter how genuine we are. Guilty! Never to be proven innocent.

My only contact with Centrelink was for a Seniors Healthcare card a couple of years ago. I had no problems with them but I have heard of horror stories though. I did volunteer work for Meals on Wheels for several years and while I was there there were some other volunteers who were on the Centrelink scheme mentioned above. They told stories of some of the CL officers who were difficult and arrogant to deal with and at one stage one of the senior staffers interpreted the rules to suit him/herself and our MOW coordinator at the time had to get in touch with the local member to pull this person into line. MOW was in danger of losing a valuable source of volunteers at the time. I'm a strong believer in a nation having adequate welfare and pension provisions but I do not support the notion of unemployment benefits (by whatever name) being some sort of "de-facto" early retirement pension.

I've been on a Disability Support Pension for 9 years. Before that, I'd been working 32 hours a week. I didn't want to lose my job, so I cut my hours to the minimum 10 hours a week. When my next review came up, I was relatively well, so being honest, told Centrelink this. So they passed me over to Newstart and said I had to do more than my 10 hours. I couldn't get my hours back at my employers, couldn't get any other job, got sick again and had a nervous breakdown. By the end of the year, I'd used up all my sick pay, holiday pay and had about 2 months off work altogether. What a mess I was in! My son came with me to the Centrelink office and spoke for me. They returned me to the DSP and the lady was lovely. She said next time I have a review, put down every little thing I have wrong.
The lesson I learnt from that was, don't be totally honest with Centrelink, because it'll come back and slap you in the face. Even now, I'm a blithering wreck when I have a review.
I should add that my doctor doesn't think I should work, and should only do voluntary work if it feels good for ME!

if you go to Centrelink and have choice of office go to regional or rural area. Get to office 8:15am for 8:30am opening, don't go on Monday or Thursday and if you must go in afternoon Friday afternoon is quietest afternoon. Dont think should admit previous occupation.

I'm thrilled to bits to live in Australia where we actually do get some help from the tax-payers when we are in need.

About 20 years ago I was briefly on the dole, and found the whole experience very demeaning, not because of the Centrelink staff or the queues etc, it was just my misplaced pride! Recently I started getting the Age pension and cant complain about Centrelink, so far have been treated very well.
Turning up early is the best way to avoid queues

The Aged Pension can't be disputed unless you've forged your birth certificate. However, many of the other benefits can be fudged. Unfortunately this makes it difficult for the genuine applicants. I have had some great officers, but the bad ones undo all the good experiences. Beth, I can relate to the trauma you experience. I recently had to have a review of my Disability Pension. It's all ok, even though I have had some of my health restored, and I am returning to the work force to do a job within my capabilities. There's the severe back damage and arthritis which keep me out of the very physical action. Unfortunately much of Centrelink's policies are only BLACK & WHITE with no individuality, empathy or compassion built in.

Thanks for all your replies,lots of good points.I have since found out if you go to little tinpot town where you know you wont find a job,Centrelink "may" cut you off!! Food for thought.....