JobSeeker Compensation, Suspensions, and Ombudsman Findings

Question

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has approved $936,000 in compensation for 651 jobseekers whose payments were unlawfully cancelled. As of today, how many of those 651 have been paid? How much remains outstanding, and when will all compensation payments be finalised? a. The Ombudsman found payment suspensions were never paused and that only cancellations were. Suspensions rose to 618,000 in the September 2025 quarter. What is the most recent quarterly suspension figure and what is the trend? b. The Ombudsman found that DEWR told his office a risk-monitoring app existed to detect provider misconduct, then had to admit the app did not exist. When did the Department become aware it had given the Ombudsman incorrect information, and what was done about it? c. The Ombudsman wrote to DEWR on 8 December 2025 explicitly recording that the Department's response to Recommendation Six, to review the automatic suspension process, was not nearly enough. What specific actions has DEWR taken since then, and has the review the Ombudsman ordered been completed? d. The Ombudsman ordered DEWR to brief Government on whether the automatic suspension and cancellation mechanism has policy or legislative authority. Has that brief been provided to Government? Please provide a copy. e. DEWR's own 2024 Review found more than half of all capability assessments conducted by providers were inadequate. What systemic changes have been made to provider oversight since that finding?

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-001818.pdf (opens in a new tab)