Jobseeker – Over 55s Paid Volunteers
Dear Club and Region Secretaries
Bowls Tasmania would like to inform clubs and regions of the possible use of Jobseeker through Centrelink to enable clubs and regions to employ staff to assist with the workload normally undertaken by volunteers with clubs and regions. This possibility arose following the Bowls Tasmania CEO’s attendance at the first Bowls Australia Clubmap Webinar in November 2023.
The following information has been obtained from the Clubmap website – including the necessary forms that need to be filled out and submitted to Centrelink.
- Jobseeker Over 55s Paid Volunteers.pdf
- Voluntary Work – Request for Organisational Approval Form.pdf
- Voluntary Work – Verification of Voluntary Work Form.pdf
Employment must be for thirty hours per fortnight (four days per fortnight). Payment is $17,800pa or $22.81 per hour, all of which is paid for by Centrelink.
For clubs or regions this may work for:
- Part-time administration assistance – including minute taking for Board and various committee meetings.
- Part-time greenkeeper.
- Part-time bar staff.
- Part-time cleaner.
- Social bowls co-ordinator.
- Procurement of sponsors.
- Competition management.
- Or all of the above.
Clubs or regions would have to take the following steps to make this happen:
- Complete the Centrelink – Request for Organisational Approval Form – attaching proof of incorporation association status and BTAs public liability and voluntary workers insurances.
- Once BTAS has been approved by Centrelink, we would need to find a suitable volunteer – aged over 55 and less than 67 – who is eligible for the Jobseeker payment.
- Obtain approval from Centrelink for the volunteer to participate in voluntary work (that the work is suitable) and that it will count towards their Centrelink mutual obligation requirements.
To be eligible for Jobseeker:
- Volunteer must be aged between 55 and Age Pension age of 67;
- Volunteer must meet residence rules;
- Volunteer must meet income and asset tests (volunteers can earn other income and own their own house and still be eligible);
- Volunteer must be unemployed and looking for work, or they are sick or injured and can’t do their usual work; or
- Volunteer who is not in full time work, for example they are doing part time or casual work.
It is increasingly becoming more difficult to get enough volunteers to do the multitude of jobs that need to be done with clubs and regions. This would ideally suit many clubs with employment of part-time greenkeepers, cleaning staff, bar staff and the like – many of whom could be employed from within their own memberships.
Rob McGuire
Chief Executive Officer
Bowls Tasmania