NATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
PROGRAMME INFORMATION SHEET FOR
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
PROVIDERS
This information sheet aims to assist you to create and refer job seekers to National Work
Experience Programme (NWEP) Placements from 1 October 2015.
Policy Intent
NWEP, available through Disability Employment Service and jobactive providers, was
announced as part of the Growing Jobs and Small Business Package in the 2015-16 Budget.
It is a work experience programme which places job ready job seekers in real life unpaid work
experience placements where they can gain experience and confidence while demonstrating
their skills to potential employers.
What is NWEP?
NWEP Placements replace the former Unpaid Work Experience Placement activity type
available under Disability Employment Services (DES) and jobactive. Placements can occur in
for-profit, not-for-profit and Government organisations, and should have a likelihood of paid
employment available at the completion of the Placement. There is no obligation for employers
to hire the job seeker at the completion of the Placement however, where they decide the job
seeker is a good fit, the employer may be eligible for a wage subsidy.
Placements can be undertaken for a maximum of 25 hours per week for up to four weeks; the
Placement should be of shorter duration where the opportunity for paid employment at the
completion of the Placement is short-term (i.e. less than six months).
Eligibility for the NWEP
To participate in NWEP Placements, job seekers must be:
 registered with a Disability Employment Service or jobactive provider;
NATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME INFORMATION SHEET
TRIM ID: D15/661397
Effective Date: 1 Oct 2015


aged 18 years or over; and
receiving an income support payment.
Job seekers can undertake an NWEP Placement at any time during their servicing where you
feel it will assist them in gaining skills and/or finding a job. NWEP activities are entirely
voluntary for Disability Employment Service Participants.
The Approved Program of Work Supplement
In addition to their income support, job seekers who participate in an NWEP Placement will
receive an approved program of work supplement of $20.80 per fortnight to assist with the
costs of participation.
You will need to ensure job seekers have been correctly referred to and commenced in an
NWEP Placement in ESS Web Activity Management to trigger the payment of the supplement.
Setting up and Managing an NWEP Placement
Before a job seeker commences an NWEP Placement, you must ensure the following have been
completed in accordance with the NWEP Guidelines:
 Criminal Records Check (where required)
 Risk Assessment, and
 Host Organisation Agreement template (signed by you, the Host Organisation, and the
job seeker).
The Fair Work Act and Insurance Coverage
NWEP is an approved program of work which means that job seekers are not considered
employees of the Host Organisation under the Fair Work Act. The Host Organisation must
continue to ensure there is a safe system of work in place, in accordance with the work, health
and safety requirements under the relevant State and Territory legislation.
As job seekers are not employees of the Host Organisation they will not be eligible for Workers’
Compensation. The Department of Social Services’ personal accident and public and/or
products liability insurance policies cover job seekers undertaking NWEP Placements, including
travel to and from the Host Organisation location.
NATIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAMME INFORMATION SHEET
TRIM ID: D15/661397
Effective Date: 1 Oct 2015