Unemployment Know Your Rights

UNEMPLOYMENT D ENErlTSt KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Brotherhood of St Laurence UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:■ P K iiiiir ■ ■ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Contents 1. Unemployment Benefit:— how do you get it? 2. Amount of Benefit 3. Educated and unemployed 4. The Work Test 5. Your cheque hasn't arrived:— what should you do? 6. Field Officers 7. De facto relationships 8. Your right to appeal 9. If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes 10. Unemployment Benefit and taxation 11. Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices UNEMPLOYMENT

Iffim MAW w VV YAUD ■ WWEm IMl 1 I All W 1 VC ■ « P Index Leaflet No. Advance Payment 9 Interstate Transfer of Benefits 9 Amount of Benefit 2 Interviews 1 Appeals 8 Late Cheques 5 Appeals Tribunal 8 Leaving a Job 4 Backdated Claims 1 Lost cheques 5 C.E.S. Offices 11 Overdue cheques 5 Cheques: Part-time Students 3 Lost, Late 5 Payment Rates 2 Claiming Benefits 1 Penalties 4 Com m unity Health Services 9 Permissible Earnings 2 Counter Cheques 9 Professionals 3 Cycle o f Payments 1 Proof of Identity 1 De Facto Relationships 7 Rates of Benefits 2 Dentists 9 Reclaiming Benefits 8 Department o f Social Security Refusing Jobs 4 Offices 11 Review Officers 8 Doctors 9 School Leavers 3 Eye Services 9 Seven Day Waiting Period 1 Fare Vouchers 9 Sickness Benefit 9 Field Officers 6 Six Week Waiting Period: Health Services 9 School Leavers 3 Holidays: Special Benefit 9 Workers Without Striking Workers 1 Holiday Pay 1 Taxation of Benefits 10 Unemployed People 5 Tertiary Leavers 3 Hospital Treatment 9 Training Schemes 9 How to Apply for Benefits 1 University Leavers 3 Identification 1 Voluntary Unemployment 4 Income Test 2 W ork Test 4 -

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Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Melbourne. Victoria. February, 1980. National Library of Australia Card No. ISBNi<909571 66 X IIHtMIU AYM tHf

, Unemployment Benefit: hew do you set it? How do you apply for Unemployment Benefit?

Day 7.

As soon as you're unemployed and looking for work go to the nearest Commonwealth Employment Service office (C.E.S.) to See L ist register. Day 1 for Unemployment Benefit is the day you apply for benefit not the day you become unemployed. So apply for benefit as soon as possible. If you can't see any suitable jobs on the self-service job vacancy board, tell the counter clerk that you want to register for work and claim Unemployment Benefit. A card will be filled in (by you or an interviewing clerk) with your name, address, age, work history, etc. and you will be given an Application for Unemployment Benefit form. Answer every question and sign the form, then hand it back. (There is a special form for See Educated school leavers who cannot receive Unemployment Benefit for a and Unemployed period of 6 weeks after they leave school.) This form is then sent by the C.E.S. to the nearest Department of Social Security regional See List office which is the office that makes payments to people living in your area. You will be given another form to be taken back to the C.E.S. 14 days later (unless your claim has been backdated). This is called a First Income Statement. The date you have to take the form back will be stamped or printed in the top right-hand corner. An appoint ment may be made for you to go to an interview, usually on Day 14, at the Department of Social Security regional office. Day 14.

If you have not found a job the First Income Statement is handed in at the C.E.S. on Day 14. This form should include a list of jobs you have applied for so make sure you keep a note of these. The C.E.S. will check that you have listed jobs in this section. On Day 14 you should also be given another form called Application for Continuation of Unemployment Benefit — Income Statement dated another 14 days later. Your First Income Statement is either sent by the C.E.S. to the Department of Social Security regional office or you may be asked to take it with you to your interview. The interview is to check details of your claim with you to help find out whether you will be paid.

Day 16/17.

If you are going to be paid, the Department of Social Security should then issue a cheque for 1 weeks benefit which you should receive in the mail 2 or 3 working days later. This cheque should cover days 8 to 14 inclusive. You are not usually paid for the first 7 days.

Hand in tirfct- Incorne Colled- A()^Uc£fh6»n fov Gbnrbnuci'honof Bsnefxhs Day 28.

If you have not found work by the date stamped on your form 'Application for Continuation of Unemployment Benefit — Income Statement' you fill out that form and hand it in at the C.E.S. on Day 28. You must hand all forms in personally.

Day 30/31.

Two or 3 working days after handing in the form you should receive a cheque in the mail for 2 weeks benefit. This cheque should be payment for days 15 to 28 inclusive. This time the dated 'Application for Continuation of Unemploy ment Benefit — Income Statement' form should come in the mail with the cheque. From then on you should continue taking these forms into the C.E.S. every fortnight on the correct date and your cheque should come 2 or 3 working days after the form is handed in. If the form does not come with your cheque, collect one from the C.E.S. office as soon as possible. Ask the staff to mark on the form the date it is due. How is it decided whether you get Benefits or not?

You must meet all the following requirements:

U nem ployed To receive Unemployment Benefit you must be unemployed, and available for full time work. So, if you have a part-time job during the week or attend a course during the day you aren't considered to be unemployed.

Age You must be between 16 — 60 years of age (female) or 16 — 65 years of age (male). (If ’ you are outside these ages you may be able to get a Special Benefit or an Age Pension).

Australian resident You will need to show that you have lived in Australia for the past 12 months or intend to live here permanently (having family or long term financial commitments in Australia could help your case).

W ork Test. You must be willing and able to work and be registered as unemployed at the C.E.S. See Work Te'

Income Test.

You must explain what money (if any) you get. Remember, it's not \seeA m ount what you ow n that counts (e.g. money in the bank) but what you o f Benefit (and/or your wife/husband) get, (e.g. interest on money in the bank).

On s trik e People who are on strike or people whose union is on strike and have been stood down are not eligible for Unemployment Benefit (even though they aren't on strike themselves).

fyi iWVtivK / baufcpoij dfJch, \ Vo ye $5-S3 Ry RnR.nod’ Proof of identity. The Department of Social Security want to be sure you are not applying for benefits in several names. When you apply for Unemployment Benefit payments will not be made until you show some proof of your identity. You will be asked for this at the C.E.S. and also at your interview at the Department of Social Security. You can be asked for proof of identity at any time while you are receiving benefit. One of the following should be shown before you receive any pay ment of benefit. • A copy of an original birth, baptisimal or marriage certificate or an extract over 5 years old. • A group certificate covering at least a six-month period. • An original motor vehicle registration form in your name. • A credit card stating your full name and address. • A rate or water rate notice with your full name and address. • A taxation assessment notice for the previous year. • An insurance policy over two years old. • A passport. • School leavers may produce a reference or recent school report written on official school paper. Bank passbooks driving licences and birth extracts under five years old are n ot acceptable by themselves. If you can't get any of these you should go to your Department of Social Security office where a member of staff will help you to 'establish identity'. If necessary, the Department of Social Security will try to find a birth certificate, etc. for you, however, you still must pay for the cost of any certificate. Your rights 1. Even if you are not sure whether you are eligible you have a right to apply for unemployment benefit. 2. If your cheque is late, contact your local Social Security Office quickly and find out why. You have a right to the payment. Don't be afraid to stand up for your rights. 3. You will be interviewed often and asked many personal questions. If you are asked questions which you think are not necessary ask the interviewer to explain fully the reason the questions are being asked. Do not give more details than you have to. Always ask and write down the name of the person interviewing you. 4. If any decision is made to refuse or cancel or postpone your unemployment benefit you have a right to appeal — see leaflet in this series called Your Right to Appeal. 5. If you've put off registering with the C.E.S. you can ask to have your claim backdated by up to one week from the time you register with the C.E.S. as long as you can prove that you were looking for work during that period (e.g. by providing a record of employers approached or copies of letters applying for jobs). Can you receive Unemployment Benefit during a strike? If you have been stood down because members of your union are on strike you cannot get Unemployment Benefit. If you are on strike you cannot get Unemployment Benefit. If, however, you are stood seeHowDo down because of a strike in which neither you nor your union were unemploymentf involved you can claim Unemployment Benefit. You would then be Benefit subject to the same rules as other people claiming Unemployment Benefit, including a 7-day waiting period. What if you're working and the firm shuts down for annual holidays and you're not eligible for 4 holiday pay? You cannot get Unemployment Benefit if you are not able to work because your work place has shut down over the holiday period. In this case you may be able to get a Special Benefit if you and/or your dependants are suffering hardship. This will involve providing full details of your financial circumstances and the reason why you are without income. If you are in this position contact the nearest office of the S e e u s t Department of Social Security and ask about claiming Special Benefit.

Am ount of Benefit How much benefit you receive depends on whether you earn any money. If you are single, under 21 and have at least one parent living in Australia you can only earn $3 a week before your full benefit is reduced by a dollar for every dollar you earn. If you are married or over 21 you can earn $6 a week before your benefit is reduced by a dollar for every dollar you earn. These limits have remained the same since 1969. The following table shows A the full amount of Unemployment Benefit that you get per week; B the amount you can earn and still get full Unemployment Benefit; and C the amount of income you (and/or your wife/husband) can get before Unemployment Benefit cuts out. If you earn money above the amount in column B but less than the amount in column C you should be entitled to part of a benefit. The dependant allowance of $7.50 per week per child has been included in all calculations. A B C Amount of money Benefit cuts you can out if your Age and Marital Total amount earn without earnings reach Status of Benefit affecting your this amount. Benefit $ a week $ a week $ a week

16— 18 Single no dep. 36.00 3.00 39.00 18— 20 Single no dep. 51.45 3.00 54.45 Over 21 Single no dep. 51.45 6.00 57.45

Married or de facto couple 96.50 6.00 102.50 Married couple — 1 child 104.00 6.00 110.00 Married couple — 2 child. 111.50 6.00 117.50 Married couple — 3 child. 119.00 6.00 125.00 Married couple — 4 child. 126.50 6.00 132.50 Married couple — 5 child. 134.00 6.00 140.00

Single 18— 20 — 1 child 65.40 3.00 68.40 Single over 21 — 1 child 65.40 6.00 71.40 Single over 21— 2 child. 72.90 6.00 78.90 Single over 21— 3 child. 80.40 6.00 86.40 This leaflet is part of the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test s Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? ■ Field Officers • De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department o f Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 4 19 7055 Information correct at January, 1980. • Educated and unemployed You've just left school and can't get a job. When do you apply for Unemployment Benefit? When you leave school you should register immediately at the C.E.S. to look for a job. At the same time you should apply for Unemploy ment Benefit. (If you are under 16 you are not entitled to Unemployment Benefit but, in some cases, you can receive Special Benefit — you should ask about this at the C.E.S.) You won't be entitled to any payment covering the first 6 weeks after you leave school and, as Unemployment Benefit is paid for the two weeks past rather than the two weeks ahead, it will probably be between 7 and 8 weeks before you get your first cheque. You are see work expected to look for work during the 7 to 8 week period. Test To apply for Unemployment Benefit you will be given a form at the C.E.S. This is a special application form for people who have finished their studies. It asks questions about what date you finished school, whether you intend going back to school, whether you receive money from scholarships, etc. You should take proof of identity with you. A reference or recent seeHowdoi school report written on official school paper can be taken or you APP'yfor can take some other proof of who you are. Benefit Your application form will be sent to the Department of Social Security regional office which serves the area where you live. The Department of Social Security will send you a letter in the mail explaining what you should do to receive Unemployment Benefit. A form should come with the letter. This is the First Income Statement. It covers a two week period and has to be handed in at the C.E.S. on the date stamped in the top right hand corner. The date you hand it in should be 7 weeks after the date you finished school. You will be expected to list the jobs you try for on the form. Your first cheque should come 2 or 3 days after you hand in the form at the C.E.S, It will be payment of Unemployment Benefit for 1 week. When you return the First Income Statement to the C.E.S. you should be given another Income Statement called 'Application for Continuation of Unemployment Benefit' to take back 14 days later. Two or 3 days after you take this form back to the C.E.S. you should receive a cheque for 2 weeks Unemployment Benefit. When you start receiving fortnightly cheques the Income State ment forms 'Application for Continuation of Unemployment Benefit' come in the mail with your cheques. You continue to take them to the C.E.S. every 14 days on the date stamped in the top right-hand corner. These rules apply to people who leave school during the year as well as at the end of the school year. They also apply to people who leave tertiary study during the year 'without good reason'. Applying for Unemployment Benefit when you've just finished a Tertiary Course.

If you have completed a course of study at a university (or other S e e H o w d o i tertiary institution) and do not intend proceeding to higher study p p 'v fo r . . , . . . . Unemployment you can register forworkassoon as you complete your examinations. Benefit When you register you can apply for Unemployment Benefit. You will have to serve the 7 day waiting period and will be subject to the same conditions as other people applying for benefit. As part of the income test any money you receive such as T.E.A.S. or studentship payments payable after the date you apply for Unemployment will affect the rate of Benefit. If you intend to undertake full-time post- see Amount of graduate study, subject to course approval or the grant of a post- Benefl't graduate award, you may also receive Unemployment Benefit, if otherwise eligible, until the day on which your course or post-graduate award commence. Instead of registering at the local C.E.S. you will be expected to go to the Professional Employment Office (P.E.O.) if you want to look for work-using your qualifications. You can phone to make an appointment and the date of registration for Unemployment Benefit will be from the date that you contact them. Alternatively, you can go to your local C.E.S. office and an appointment will be made for you. While you are registered at P.E.O. your Unemployment Benefit forms should be handed in at P.E.O. If you live in the country you deal with your local C.E.S. Who uses the Professional Employment Office? • People who have degrees or diplomas. • People who have been executive managers for a period of more than 10 years. • People who are registered nurses or nursing aides. • Professional actors, musicians and artists (these people must prove their 'professional' status.) What if you want to study part-time? You may receive Unemployment Benefit if you study part-time, provided the time spent in classes or lectures during normal working hours is not more than 8 hours a week. You must still look for full time work and be prepared to take a full-time job if it is offered to you. You may still receive Unemployment Benefit if you do part- time evening classes.

Who decides whether you pass the Work Test? Both the C.E.S. and the Department of Social Security apply the work test. Department of Social Security can call you in for a inter view at any time or send out a field officer to see you. C.E.S. can see Field interview you at least 3 times in the first four months and can send Cw/ce" you a telegram or courier message at any time to direct you to a job.

What sort o f things do they took at? You could lose your Unemployment Benefit for: • Saying you'll only take work for which you are not qualified or which is extremely rare and unlikely to be available in the area where you live. • Refusing to move to an area where the C.E.S. considers there is employment; • Not going after a job to which the C.E.S. refers you (this includes part-time, casual or temporary jobs.) • Having no 'acceptable' reason for refusing a job offer or an interview; • Not making an effort to get a job on your own behalf; • Moving to an area where i. There are few or no employment prospects ii. You moved for reasons other than looking for work, e.g. holidays, tourism, etc. • Making yourself 'unpresentable' at an interview, i.e. your appear ance, attitude or style of dressing at the interview spoil your chances of getting the job. • Not contacting the C.E.S. when you have been asked to do so; • Not going to the C.E.S. every two weeks to hand in your Income Statement on the date stamped on it, or you hand it in late. • Changing your address and not notifying the C.E.S. and Depart ment of Social Security. • Not answering requests to attend interviews by Department of Social Security officers. • Not keeping a record of the jobs you have applied for. Can you refuse a job if it doesn't suit you? You can only refuse a job: • Not covered by an industrial award (unless the job is paid at the recognised or ruling rate for the work) or in which conditions are extremely bad. • If it takes a long time to travel to and from work; generally more than VA hours travel time each way, or if fare money is too much (i.e. costing more than 10% of your base salary). • Which would mean living away from home in living conditions which are below standard. • If you under 18 or married or have dependant children you are not required to move from the area where you live. During the first 6 weeks after you apply for benefits you are allowed to look for work which suits your qualification, skills, trade or interests, after that you are expected to consider and accept virtually anything. N.B. You will not be refused Unemployment Benefit if you refuse to enlist in the Armed Forces. Your rights 1. Everybody who makes a decision about you and the work test does so on the information in front of them. Very rarely do they have a ll the information in front of them when they make a decision. They hardly ever have y o u r side of the story — so make sure they get it. If, for example, the C.E.S. claim they sent you a telegram and you didn't get it, make sure you tell the C.E.S. Manager as soon as you find out that the C. E.S. is recommending that you be cut off benefits. 2. The work test is a bit like a game of hide and seek. You are n o t told how many jobs you are expected to look for, but you are expected to have some listed on your Income Statement. There are many acceptable ways to seek employment. Job interviews are only I one way. A person may ring employers from the Yellow Pages of the Telephone book. Family and friends having businesses may also be asked if they have any jobs. Make a list of these contacts. 3. If you lose your benefits you have a right to appeal. see Your Right Can you get Unemployment Benefit if you leave a job? to Appeal The Department of Social Security can refuse to pay Unemployment Benefit for from 6 to 12 weeks if they consider you to be "voluntarily unemployed", that is, you left your job without a good reason or you become unemployed through 'misconduct'. If you leave to go on a holiday it is not regarded as a good reason. If you do leave a job you should still register immediately at the C.E.S. and explain carefully to the C.E.S. interviewer the full reasons why you left the job. You will probably also have to explain the full reasons to the Department of Social Security pre-grant interviewer.

Here are some situations which are not 'voluntary unemployment'. • Your job was not covered by an award or agreement or you were being paid less than the recognised or ruling rate or what is generally paid in the area. • The work you were doing made you sick (a doctor's certificate would help) or was too difficult (heavy weights, work at heights, etc.). • You were dismissed for being absent even though you had a good reason e.g. sickness in the family, attendance in Court, etc. • The employer misrepresented the conditions when advertising the job. • The employer or a workmate made work unbearable, e.g. sexual harrassment. • You left under a voluntary retirement scheme agreed to by your union and employers to avoid the retrenchment of other workers. The Department of Social Security may check the reason for your leaving work by mailing a form to the former employer which the employer has to fill in and send back. Often the employer does not know the full reasons why you have left a job or there is some dispute between your view and the employers view, so you must explain your reasons very carefully at the interview with C.E.S. and the Department of Social Security. If your benefits are postponed you are still expected to hand in forms every fortnight to the C.E.S. and to pass the work test during the time your benefits have been postponed. Your rights 1. Register at the C.E.S. and apply for Unemployment Benefit as soon as you are unemployed whatever the reason for leaving your last job. 2. If you can prove that you would suffer hardship (no money for food, clothing, shelter, transport), you can apply to get a Special Benefit during the postponement. 3. If you disagree with a decision to postpone your benefit you can See appeal. Your Right to Appeal This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test • Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers • De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. • Your cheque hasn’t arrived: what should you do? If your cheque does not arrive on the day you expect it to arrive you should go to your nearest office of the Department of Social See List Security or telephone them. If you phone you should ask for the Unemployment Benefit Section. The person answering may ask you for your surname and what suburb you live in before putting your call through. You should then give your full name and address, say that your cheque has not arrived and ask if there is any reason why. Your cheque could be lost or stolen, it could be late, you may not have filled in your forms completely or the Department of Social Security may have decided not to pay you because you have failed the work test or you are not entitled to any benefit. See Work Test What if it's lost or stolen? If you think your cheque has been lost or stolen you should go to the nearest office of the Department of Social Security, explain that you think your cheque has been lost or stolen and ask for a dupli cate cheque. Usually, if it has been 3 working days since your cheque was mailed to you you can ask for a duplicate cheque. You will be asked to fill out a form for the Department of Social Security and they will try to find out what happened to the cheque they sent. The Department of Social Security investigates the missing cheque, and, in the case of stolen cheques, prosecutes if necessary. If your cheque is late you may be able to get a counter cheque. This means that the Department of Social Security pays you the cheque across the counter rather than sending it in the mail. You may be expected to show proof of your identity to get a counter See How do / cheque. Apply for Unemployment If. benefits have not been granted or they have been postponed or Benefit cut-off and you think it is unfair you should ask to see the Review Officer and if necessary put in an Appeal. See Your Right to Appeal What if you want to go on a holiday while you're getting Unemployment Benefits? You cannot get Unemployment Benefit if you are not looking for full-time work, so, if you go on a holiday, your benefit may be cut off. If you do goon holidays and are cut off benefits you will have to apply again for Unemployment Benefit when you come back. If you have been receiving benefit for more than 13 weeks before the holiday you will have to serve another 7 day waiting period. If you go on holidays and you try to claim Unemployment Benefit in the place you are holidaying you can be refused benefit on the grounds that 'you moved for reasons other than looking for work', see work • If you need to go away for a short period you can continue to get Test Unemployment Benefit but you must: • remain registered with the C.E.S. • let the C.E.S. know you are going away and leave an address where you can be contacted; • meet the conditions the C.E.S. has about handing in Income Statements and applying for jobs; • continue to look for work and pass the work test.

o o This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test • Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers • De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. Field Officers Is it true that investigators visit your home to check up on you? The Department of Social Security has Field Officers who may call at your home at any time while you are claiming or receiving Unemployment Benefit. Their job is to check that people only get benefits and pensions they are entitled to. Field Officers ask you questions and fill in a report. The report can recommend that bene fits be continued, postponed or cut off. What should you do if a Field Officer calls? First of all you should ask the Field Officer to produce an identity card. Do this before you answer any questions. You do not have to invite a Field Officer into your home unless you want to. They have no right to enter unless invited, nor do they have any right to search or look through rooms. Other things to remember: • have a list of jobs you have applied for. • you may be required to identify yourself, so keep some form of identity handy. • read the newspaper job sections and mention it. • don't answer the door in pyjamas or dressing gown. • don't tell the Field Officer it's useless looking for work (for whatever reasons). • don't agree that you are living in a de facto marriage if you are not See De Facto sure what that means. Relationships • you don't have to sign anything. Read any documents carefully. It is your right to have a copy of anything you do sign. • unless you are ill don't use illness as an excuse for not working or not looking for a job. If you are ill for more than 1 week you See What if could be transferred to Sickness Benefit. You're sick If a Field Officer calls and you are not at home a printed letter etc. will be left saying what date he will call back. If you are not at home the second time he calls another letter will be left asking you to contact him on a particular phone number within 48 hours. Failure to contact the Department of Social Security when asked to do so will result in your benefits being stopped. This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test • Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers • De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

De facto Relationships How does living with someone affect your Unemployment Benefit? People who are living as a married couple but who aren't actually married are treated as if they are married. That is, they are not treated the same as 2 flatmates sharing the same fla t. If both are unemployed, one of them gets paid at the married rate of Unemployed Benefit, the other gets nothing. See If one is working and the other is unemployed the money earned A m ount o f is taken into account to work out how much the unemployed one Benefit will get in benefits. All money earned over $6.00 is taken off benefits so, if one person is earning as much or more than the married rate of See benefit plus $6.00 the unemployed person would get nothing. A m o u n t o f Benefit If there is no de facto relationship both people will get paid at the single rate and if one gets a job the earnings won't affect the other's benefit. What is a De Facto Relationship? The things that are taken into account by the Department of Social Security are: • the circumstances under which you came to live together and whether or not either person has a separate address. • Who owns accommodation and furniture (or who rents the accommodation. • How often meals are taken together. • Performance of household duties by the woman 'which are normally done by a wife for her husband' and vice versa. • Whether there is a 'pooling of resources'. • Earnings from employment by each person. • Whether you spend your leisure time together. • Whether you represent yourselves as husband and wife and have used the same surname. • Whether friends and relatives accept you as a married couple. • Whether there are 'children of the association'. • Whether one of you claims the other as a dependant for taxation purposes. • The length of time you have been living together and whether you have done so at other addresses. According to Social Security's own guidelines, a sexual relationship by itself in not enough to make it a de facto relationship. Your rights 1. If you don't believe you are in a relationship like a marriage relationship (i.e. a de facto) you should try to show how living together is a te m p o ra ry arrangement to overcome a short-term prob lem (e.g. one person was previously in a flat from which they were evicted). You should try to show it is your intention as soon as possible to move on. At the same time you should show that the two of you live separate lives but pay equal shares of rent, food, etc. 2. If you are not sure whether you are in a de facto relationship apply for Unemployment Benefit anyway. 3. If a field officer comes and you are not sure whether or not you are in a de facto relationship d o n 't sign his report. 4. You have a right of appeal if the Department of Social Security believes you are in a de facto relationship and you disagree. see you, Right To Appeal This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test • Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers ■ De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. Your right to appeal What should you do if your benefits are postponed or cut off or you don't agree with a decision not to pay you Unemployment Benefit? If you have been told by the Department of Social Security that you won't be getting benefit you should also be told by letter what steps you can take if you don't agree with the decision. The two steps you can take are: 1. To contact the Review Officer, 2. To put in an Appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. You can contact the Review Officer at the nearest regional office of the Department of Social Security. The Review Officer has the power to overturn decisions made by the Department of Social Security if he/she considers that a wrong decision was made. You will be expected to explain why you think the decision was wrong. If the Review Officer doesn't agree that the Department of Social Security's decision was wrong you should be told that you have the right to appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. As soon as you know that your benefits have been cut off, and whether you intend appealing or not, you should re-apply for bene fits. But it is up to the C.E.S. and the Department of Social Security to decide whether or not you should be paid on your new claim. What is the Social Security Appeals Tribunal? The Appeals Tribunal consist of three people — a social worker, a lawyer and a staff member of the Department of Social Security. How do you appeal? You can get a special form from C.E.S. Offices or from offices of the Department of Social Security. You can write your Appeal as a letter if you want to. You then send your appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, Box, 868J, G.P.O. Melbourne. Victoria. 3001. The Appeal form can be filled out in your own language if it is not English. When the Appeals Tribunal gets your appeal form or letter they contact the Department of Social Security asking them to review their decision to cut off, not grant or postpone your Unemployment Benefit. A special section of the Department of Social Security has another look at the decision and may change that decision. If not, the Tribunal examines the case. If it decides in favour of the person who made the Appeal, it will send a recommendation to the State Director of the Department of Social Security. The Appeals Tribunal can only make recommendations. The Director-General of the Department of Social Security makes the final decision. If your appeal is successful you will be automatically put back on Unemployment Benefit, and will be back-paid for the period you did not receive benefit provided that you remained eligible.

Attending the Tribunal Not everyone who appeals attends a hearing of the Appeals Tribunal. You may be asked by the Tribunal to beat the hearing. You should, however, ask in your appeal that you be allowed to attend for a personal interview. You are not allowed to have a lawyer putting your case before the tribunal, however, you can take a relative, friend or Member of Parliament with you. They may be allowed to attend the hearing with you. If you are asked by a Tribunal to go in personally you are able to have reasonable travel and accommodation costs refunded. You might be able to arrange for the Tribunal to phone you at home. Special arrangements may be made if you are unable to travel to meet the Tribunal because of illness or injury. Your rights Unemployment Benefit is supposed to help you live while you are unemployed. There are many complicated rules and procedures which can make it hard for you. Wrong decisions are made and people can lose their benefits because of them. It is vital to stand up for your rights. Often all the facts of your case have not been taken into account. Try and put your case in the best possible light. Think through your side of the story and write down the points you want to make. If you aren't confident get a friend or a social worker to help you. The Review Officer and the Appeal Tribunals aren't perfect but they offer a chance and should be tried. You should ask to attend your Tribunal hearing. The unemploy ment Rights Service (address below) can assist you to write your Appeal and will accompany you to advocate on your behalf if necessary.

This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test • Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers • De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. •If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes* What if you get sick while you're on Unemployment Benefit? If you or your dependants become ill and need medical treatment you should contact your local doctor. Tell the doctor or his/her receptionist that you are unemployed and ask if you can be treated as a 'socially disadvantaged person'. This means that the doctor can claim 75% of the usual fee from the government. If the doctor will treat you under this scheme you will be expected to sign a 'bulk billing' form. If your doctor refuses to 'bulk bill' you have a right to choose another doctor who will treat you without charge, remember, if you receive Unemployment Benefit your income will be below the poverty line. Sickness Benefit If your illness means that you cannot look for work for more than a week you should ask your doctor for a medical certificate and claim Sickness Benefit for the period covered by the medical certificate. You can get claim forms from Department of Social Security offices (or you can phone and ask for one to be mailed to you.) C.E.S. offices and most Post Offices should have them too. A pamphlet is also available from Department of Social Security which explains some details about Sickness Benefit. If you do transfer to Sickness Benefit from Unemployment Benefit you may get two cheques close together, one for Unemploy ment Benefit which is paid in arrears, that is for the two weeks past, and one for Sickness Benefit which is paid in advance, this is for the two weeks ahead. If you transfer back to Unemployment Benefit your payments should continue as advance payments, i.e. you get paid for the next two weeks. Sickness Benefit is paid at the same rate you get for Unemployed Benefit.

What w ill it cost to go to hospital? You can go to the casualy section of any public hospital. The consultation is free but the waiting period could stretch into many hours. You can receive specialist treatment at hospital out-patients departments if you have a referral from your local doctor or from the casualty section of the hospital. As an out-patient medicines and pharmaceuticals needed for your treatment are free. So are consul tations, x-rays and pathology tests. If you need a public ward bed, hospitalization is free, however, there might be a waiting list.

What about Dental Treatment? You can be treated free of charge if you are unemployed at the Dental Hospital, corner of Elizabeth Street and Remington Road, North Melbourne (phone 347 4222). You will be expected to fill out a form giving details of your means and show some proof that you are unemployed. People living in the country should contact their nearest large hospital to find out when dental clinics are held. Eye Services If you need special eye treatment or glasses you can contact: 1. Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 126 Victoria Pde., East Melbourne. 3002. You must apply for treatment personally or by letter. If you need glasses, but can't afford them you should ask to see the medical social worker to discuss your difficulties. 2. Royal College of Optometry, 347— 380 Cardigan Street, Carlton, Phone, 341 7012 or 347 7013. You can apply either by phoning or writing to the secretary. People unable to afford normal optometric fees are accepted for free eye examination and supply of glasses at very low cost.

Can anyone else help you? You can seek advise from your local Community Health Centre about all health matters. You can find out the address of your nearest centre by writing to Community Health Services Division, Health Commission, 555 Collins Street, Melbourne, or phone (03) 616 7777. Change of address If you change your address within the State you must go to the nearest C.E.S. to register for work. They should arrange for your C.E.S. file card to be transferred from the former office. Your Income Statement forms should be handed in at the C.E.S. you have transferred to. It is a good idea to make it very plain on the form that your address has been changed by writing NOTE CHANGE OF ADDRESS (in red pen if possible) beside your new address. Your Social Security file then has to be transferred from one Social Security regional office to a new one. This can cause your cheque to be delayed. Going interstate If you change from one State to another you should go to the C.E.S. nearest to your new home to register as soon as possible after you arrive. They will arrange for your C.E.S. file to be transferred. You should take your Income Statement form with you (even if it is not yet due) and proof of identity. You will have to fill out a new application form and the C.E.S. clerk should write Transfer from Interstate on it. Unless you fill out a new application form your Department of Social Security file cannot be transferred interstate. You should hand in your Income Statement on the date stamped on it. If payment is delayed you should go to the nearest office of Department of Social Security to find out what is happening to your claim. If you move to a location that, in the opinion of the C.E.S. Manager, provides little or no employment prospects for you o r you move for reasons other than seeking full time work, e.g. holidays, tourism, unsupported environmental factors, or if you leave one job to move to an area where there are few employment opportunities you will be considered to have failed the Work Test. See w o rk Test When you have claimed Unemployment Benefit can you receive any other assistance at all? In some circumstances, if you pass a very strict means test, you may be able to get a Special Benefit during the 7-day waiting period, if you've been cut off Benefit and are appealing, or your Benefits have been postponed. You will have to prove hardship, e.g. no savings, no cash, no way of paying for food, clothing, transport and shelter. In some cases you may be offered an advance payment of benefit, this means that you receive one payment before the due date but the following payment will be paid on the next due date. So, if you receive an early payment you have a longer wait than usual before you get your next cheque. Counter Cheques In some cases you may be able to receive a counter cheque — this is a cheque paid across the 'counter' by the Department of Social Security. To receive a counter cheque you have to go to the nearest regional office of the Department of Social Security and you will be expected to provide details of why you need the cheque to be paid immediately.

C.E.S. Travel Vouchers If you are getting Unemployment Benefit you have a right to be helped with fares if the C.E.S. sends you for a job interview. The C.E.S. has travel vouchers for public and private transport. There is no limit on the number of vouchers you can be given as long as they are used for going to and from interviews the C.E.S. has arranged.

Social Workers Most Department of Social Security regional offices have social workers or welfare officers who may be able to assist you if you have personal or financial problems or you are not certain whether you are receiving the correct benefit. You can ask to see a social worker or welfare officer at the inquiry counter at Department of Social Security offices.

Other assistance If you require any other assistance the Help Reference Page of the telephone book (Page 6) includes telephone numbers of organisations which may be able to help you. There are also some government funded training schemes which are meant to assist the unemployed. The schemes are: N.E.A.T. Which gives a subsidy to employers for giving on-job training to people who have been unemployed for a specified period. It also provides allowances to trainees to be educated in selected fields where research has shown that there is a shortage of trained workers. S.Y.E.T.P. Employers receive a weekly subsidy for 4 months if they employ a person aged 15 — 24 to gain work experience.

C.R.A.F.T. Employers receive a rebate for releasing apprentices to attend or study trade courses. E.P.U.Y. An educational program for young people whose low or inadequate education quali fications are considered a major factor in preventing them finding employment.

C.Y.S.S. Activities to keep unemployed young people occupied and motivated until the job market improves. Relocation Assistance Scheme Provides grants to unemployed persons or persons facing redundancy to move their home from one area to another to accept employment or training. If you require any information about any of the schemes you should ask at the C.E.S., in some cases pamphlets are available giving more details of the schemes.

This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? • Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed • The Work Test • Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers • De facto relationships • Your right to appeal • If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. Benefit and Taxation • Unemployment is not tax free Unemployment Benefit is taxable income. What you get while on Unemployment Benefit is added to any income you get from full or part-time work during the year. The total income is then assessed for taxation. This won't bother you if your total income in the financial year from July 1, 1979 to June 30, 1980 is less than $3,893 (that's the amount you can earn before being taxed). However, if your total income from work and Unemployment Benefit is more than $3,893, you may have to pay more tax to the Taxation Department. It depends on if you work, how long you work for, what you're paid and if you're married or have children or other dependants. Soon after June 30, 1980, you will have to complete a taxation return. All income you have got during the previous year must be recorded on the tax return. Group certificates provided by the Department of Social Security for income from Unemployment Benefits and by employers for any wages you have received during the year must be attached to the return. A table on the tax return will help you calculate how much tax you must pay. If you are not sure about your situation, inquire at the Taxation Department. Its Melbourne office is at 350 Collins Street, Telephone: 602 0241. If you think you may have to pay tax at the end of the financial year, you can do one of the following: • have tax automatically taken out of your fortnightly Unemploymenj Benefit. If tax is taken out at the standard rate of 32.50 cents in the dollar, someone receiving a single rate benefit of $51.45 will clear about $34.00 a week after tax; • tell the Department of Social Security how much tax you want deducted from your fortnightly Unemployment Benefit; • have no tax taken out of your fortnightly benefit and, at the end of the financial year, pay any tax that might be owing. To do this, you have to fill in the rebate declaration section of the income statement that you lodge on your first visit to the Commonwealth Employment Service. If you find when you have completed your taxation return that you have to pay more tax, and you can't afford to pay it, contact your local office of the Taxation Department. We've worked out some examples, based on the new tax scales which may help you to decidd'Which option to take: Example 1: An unemployed person with a husband or wife and two children unemployed for the whole year.

Incom e 12 months unemployment benefit $5,798.00 (plus family allowance of $8.50 a week which is non-taxable)

Tax $ 629.98 Less Spouse Rebate $ 597.00

Tax to be paid at the end o f the year $ 32.98

This person has to pay the Taxation Department $32.98 at the end of the financial year. Because both unemployment benefits and allowances are taxable, a breadwinner with a dependent husband or wife and two or more children will have to pay some tax, even if they are unemployed for the whole year. Example 2: An unemployed person with a husband or wife and two children who worked for six months o f the year.

Incom e 6 months unemployment benefit $2,899.00 6 months wages at $150 a week $3,900.00 (plus family allowance of $8.50 a week which is non-taxable $6,799.00

Tax Tax payable on $6,799 $ 961.01 Less spouse rebate $ 597.00 Balance $ 364.01 Tax deducted from wages ($14.24 x 26 weeks) $ 370.50 Tax re fu n d $ 6.49 Example 3: An unemployed single person (over 18 years) who worked for six months of the year.

Income 6 months unemployment benefit $1,337.70 6 months wages at $150 a week $3,900.00 $5,237.70

Tax Tax payable on $5,237.70 $ 444.45 Tax deducted from wages ($25.60 x 26 weeks) $ 665.60

Tax refund $ 221.15

This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know your rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? e Amount of Benefit • Educated and unemployed # The Work Test e Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? • Field Officers e De facto relationships • Your right to appeal e If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes • Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980. UNENPIjOYNENT

Lists of • CES Offices and Departments of Social Security Offices C.E.S. OFFICES - METROPOLITAN

ALTONA MALVERN 59 Pier Street, Altona, 3018. 33 Glenferrie Road, Malvern. 3144 Ph. 389 3611 Ph. 509 1977 BORONIA MELBOURNE 1st Floor, 109 Boronia Road, 1st Floor, 99 Queen Street, Melbourne, 3000 Boronia. 3155. Ph.617 7166 Ph. 762 4188 MENTONE BOX H IL L 95 Mentone Parade, Mentone. 3194. 1 Bank Strret, Box Hill, 3128. Ph. 550 4311 Ph. 89 0611 MONTMORENCY BRUNSWICK 19 Were Street, Montmorency. 3094. 1st Floor, 307-311 Sydney Road, Ph. 435 0055 Brunswick. 3056. MOONEE PONDS Ph. 387 4122. 12 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds. 3039. CAMBERWELL Ph. 370 1211 979 Burke Road, Camberwell, 3142. MOORABBIN Ph. 82 8031. 1st Floor, 1 Station Street, Moorabbin. 3189 CLIFTON HILL Ph. 95 3111 113 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill. 3068. NEWPORT Ph. 489 6222 445 MELBOURNE Road, Newport. 3015. COBURG Ph. 391 1844 1 Munro Street, Coburg. 3058. NIDDRIE Ph. 383 2999 312 Keilor Road, Niddrie. 3042 DANDENONG Ph. 379 4119 1st Floor, Commonwealth Centre, NORTH MELBOURNE 492 Thomas Street, Dandenong. 3175. 11 Lothian Street, West Melbourne. 3033. Ph. 791 6100 Ph. 328 2231 ELSTERNWICK OAKLEIGH 207 Glenhuntly Road, Elsternwick. 3185. 1st Floor, 54A Portman Street, Oakleigh. 3166 Ph. 528 1788 Ph. 568 0388 FITZROY PRAHRAN 142 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. 3065. 1st Floor, 217 Chapel Street, Prahran. 3181 Ph. 419 1644 Ph. 529 4311 FOOTSCRAY 214 Nicholson Street, Footscray. 3011 PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OFFICE Ph. 68 3288 10th Floor, 10-16 Queen Street, Melbourne. 3000 FRANKSTON Ph. 61 3211 1st Floor, Balmoral Court, Keys Street, Frankston. 3199. PRESTON Ph. 783 7777 159 High Street, Preston. 3072 Ph. 44 0481 GLENROY 1st Floor, 10 Belair Ave, RICHMOND Glenroy. 3046. 442-444 Church Street, Richmond. 3121. Ph. 306 4400 Ph. 428 1961. HEIDELBERG RINGWOOD 89-91 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg. 3084 1st Floor, 20 Melbourne Street, Ringwood. 3134 Ph. 459 3888 Ph. 870 4266 LA LOR ST. ALBANS 1st Floor, 368 Station Street, 1st Floor, 47-49 Alfreida Street, w Lalor. 3075. St. Albans. 3021 Ph. 465 6477 Ph. 366 4222 LILYDALE ST. K IL D A 32 Hutchinson Street, Lilydale. 3140 80-82 Acland Street, St. Kilda. 3182 Ph. 735 0333 Ph. 534 8111 SOUTH MELBOURNE 301 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne 3205 Ph. 699 7900 SPRINGVALE 1st Floor, 343 Springvale Road, Springvale. 3171 Ph. 546 1888 SUNSHINE 1st Floor, 25-29 Devonshire Road, Sunshine. 3020 Ph. 311 0644 WAVERLEY 1st Floor, 10 The Highway, Mount Waverley. 3149. Ph. 277 3400 YARRAVILLE 23-25 Anderson Street, Yarraville. 3013. Ph. 689 5444 C.E.S. Part-Time Branch Offices — Country

BENALLA M AN SFIELD Old Town Hall, Nunn Street, Mace Centre. Ph. 62 3529 MELTON CASTERTON Resource Centre, 239 Station Road, Courthouse, Ph. 743 6627 Ph. 81 1718 NATHALIA COHUNA Shire Office, Black Street. Courthouse, Market Street. Ph. 55 2205 DARETON N YAH WEST Shire Hall. Infant Welfare Centre, Main Street. Ph. 27 4711 ORBOST D O N ALD Courthouse, Cnr. Woolsey & Brown Street, Shire Offices. Ph. 54 1434 Ph. 97 1300 OUYEN EDENHOPE Courthouse, Shire Offices Ph. 92 1463 Ph. 85 2211 SEA LAKE EUROA Shire Office, Horace Street. Shire Hall, Bunney Street. Ph. 711 HEALESVILLE ST. A R N A U D 17 Symons Street, St. Arnaud Town Hall Ph. 62 4777 TONGALA HOPETOUN Deakin Shire, Mangan Street, Courthouse Ph. Tongala 151. KILM O R E UPPER YARRA Kilmore Shire Office. Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction. KOONDROOK WEDDERBURN CBC Sub-Agency, Main Street. Shire Offices, Calder Highway, 94 2211 Ph. 53 2476 WONTHAGGI K Y A B R A M Infant Welfare Centre, Baillieu Street. 209 Allan Street. WYCHEPROOF Ph. 52 1512 Shire Office, Broadway LEONGATHA Ph. 93 8211 Memorial Hall, McCarten Street. YEA Ph. 52 2563 Yea Courthouse TALLANGATTA Shire Offices. C.E.S. AGENCIES - COUNTRY

ALEXANDRA NHILL J.T. Sinclair, 68 Grant Street, Alexandra L. Gale, Nhill Hospital, Nhill Ph. 72 1224 Ph. 91 1263 BACCHUS MARSH NUMURKAH D. Parsons, 154 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh M. McNamara, 56 Melville Street, Numurkah Ph. 67 3294 Ph. 62 1163 CAMPERDOWN PORT F A IR Y Mr. T. Graham, 171 Manifold Street, Camperdown J.W. Phillips, Borough of Port Fairy, Ph. 931485 Bank Street, Port Fairy. Ph. 88 1002 CASTLEMAINE J.L. Stewart, 77 Moyston Street, Castlemaine ROBINVALE Ph. 72 1691 A.E. Spider, 9 Perrin Street, Robinvale Ph. 2625 COBRAM Mr. C. While, 33 High Street, Cobram. ROCHESTER Ph. 77 2021 Mr. M. Dupuy, 48 Mackay Street, Rochester Ph. 84 2211 COBDEN T.P. Graham, 35 Curdie Street, Cobden. SUNBURY Ph. 95 1111 J.H. Weatherhill, 27-35 Gap Road, Sunbury Ph. 744 1816 CORRYONG M. Dempsey, Cl- Shire Offices, Hanson Street, TRARALGON Corryong. S. Bonighton, 63 Seymour Street, Traralgon Ph. 76 1411 Ph. 74 2431 DAYLESFORD WARRACKNABEAL F.J. Evans, 12 A lbert Street, Daylesford. J. Neal, Shire Offices, Warracknabeal Ph. 48 2328 Ph. 28 GISBORNE WERRIBEE Carol Ritchie, P.O. Box 63, Gisborne M. Tattersall, 6 Synott Street, Werribee. Ph. 28 2200 Ph. 741 3731 KYNETON WOODEND J. Aldous, 109 Mollison Street, Kyneton. J.C. Parker, High Street, Woodend. Ph. 22 1631 Ph. 27 2277 MORNINGTON YARRAM Jacobs & Lowe, 65 Main Street, Mornington D. Cartledge, Shire Offices, Commercial MYRTLEFORD Road, Yarram. W.J. Lillis, Cnr. Clyde & Standish Streets, Ph. 82 5100 Ph. 52 1309 YARRAWONGA M. Maher, 119 Belmore Street, Yarrawonga. Ph. 44 3000 C.E.S. OFFICES - COUNTRY

ARARAT ROSEBUD 146 Barkly Street, Ararat. 3350 1133-1135 Nepean Highway, Rosebud. 3939 Ph. 52 2595 Ph. 86 4666 BAIRNSDALE SALE 150 Main Street, Bairnsdale. 3875 Commonwealth Centre, 79 Raymond Street, Sale. 3850. BALLARAT Ph. 44 3511 1st Floor, Commonwealth Centre, Curtis Street, Ballarat. 3350 SEYMOUR Ph. 31 2633 6 Station Street, Seymour. 3660 Ph. 92 1069 BENDIGO 23 Charing Cross, Bendigo. 3550 SHEPPARTON Ph. 43 1811 Commonwealth Centre, Cnr. Maude and Fraser Streets, Shepparton. 3630 COLAC Ph. 21 4366 61 Gellibrand Street, Colac. 3250 Ph. 31 4277 STAWELL 38 Church Street, Stawell. 3380 CORIO Ph. 58 2701 1st Floor, Corio Village, Bacchus Marsh Road, Corio. 3214 SWAN H IL L Ph. 75 2901 300 Campbell Street, Swan Hill. 3585 Ph. 32 2671 ECHUCA Commerce Building, Pakenham Street, WANGARATTA Echuca. 3625 Commonwealth Centre, Cnr. Faithful Ph. 82 2333 & Ovens Street, Wangaratta 3677 Ph. 21 5411 GEELONG 1st Floor, 73 Malop Street, Geelong. 3220 WARRAGUL Ph. 9 0201 38 Queen Street, Warragul. 3820 Ph. 23 1424 HAMILTON 190 Gray Street, Hamilton. 3300 WARRNAMBOOL Ph. 72 1644 AMP Bui Iding, Liebig Street, Warrnambool. 3280. HORSHAM F>h. 62 4266 9A Firebrace Street, Horsham. 3400 Ph. 82 0188 KERANG Cnr. Fitzroy & Wellington Streets, Kerang. 3579 Ph. 52 2066 MARYBOROUGH 1st Floor, 107 High Street, Maryborough, 3654 Ph. 61 2744 MILDURA Commonwealth Centre, Ninth Street, Mildura. 3500. Ph. 23 0333 MOE 32 Kirk Street, Moe. 3825 Ph. 27 4911 MORWELL 225-227 Princes Highway, Morwell. 3840 Ph. 34 1877 PORTLAND Shops 25-26 McIntyre Arcade, Percy Street, Portland. 3305. Ph. 23 2470 Offices of the Department of Social Security

BALLARAT HORSHAM Commonwealth Centre, Curtis Street, C.M.L. Building, 5 Firebrace Street, Ballarat. 3350. Horsham. 3400. P h .31 2844 Ph. 82 2227 BENDIGO MELBOURNE 358 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo. 3550 Ground Floor, Commonwealth Centre, Ph. 43 1666 Cnr. Spring & Latrobe Streets, BOX H IL L Melbourne. 3000. 38 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill. 3128. Ph. 662 0411 Ph. 89 3361 MILDURA CAMBERWELL Commonwealth Centre, 122 Ninth Street, 697 Burke Road, Camberwell. 3124. Mildura. 3500. P h .813 1411 Ph. 23 0333 CHELTENHAM MOONEE PONDS 1265 Nepean Highway, Cheltenham. 3192. 1st Floor, 641-9 Mount Alexander Road, Ph. 550 5355 Moonee Ponds, 3039. Ph. 370 6322 COBURG N.O.W. Centre, Cnr. Sydney Road and MORWELL Harding Street, Coburg. 3058. 225-7 Princes Highway, Morwell. 3840. Ph. 383 1255 Ph. 34 4844 DANDENONG NORTH FITZROY Commonwealth Centre, 294-300 Thomas Street, Ground and First Floor, 252-260 St. Dandenong, 3175. Georges Road, North Fitzroy. 3068. P h .791 6233 Ph. 481 2222 FOOTSCRAY OAKLEIGH 1st Floor, 199-201 Barkly Street, Palmerston House, 1A Palmerston Grove, Footscray. 3011. Oakleigh. 3166. Ph. 68 1297 Ph. 568 0611 FRANKSTON (See Peninsula) PENINSULA 3rd Floor, Commonwealth Bank Building, GEELONG 60-64 Wells Street, Frankston. 3199. Commonwealth Centre, 61 Brougham Street, Ph. 781 3444 Geelong. 3220. Ph. 9 0201 PRAHRAN 4th Floor Pran Central, Cnr. Commercial GLENROY Road & Chapel Street, Prahran. 3181. 1st Floor, 10-14 Belair Avenue, Glenroy. 3046. Ph. 529 5344 Ph. 375 1611 PRESTON GLEN WAVERLEY (Pseudo Office) 3rd Floor, Lombard House, 273 High Street, 9th Floor, Commonwealth Centre, Cnr. Spring Preston. 3072. & Latrobe Streets, Melbourne. 3000. Ph. 480 4422 Ph. 662 0411 RICHMOND GREENSBOROUGH 1st Floor, 246 Church Street, 1st Floor, Suite 4, Greensborough Centre, Richmond. 3121. 92 Main Street, Greensborough. 3088. Ph. 428 4311 Ph. 435 0355 RINGWOOD HAMILTON 25 Ringwood Street, Ringwood. 3134. Commonwealth Centre, 79 French Street, Ph. 879 1122 Hamilton. 3300. Ph. 72 2322 SALE Commonwealth Centre, 79-81 Raymond HEIDELBERG Street, Sale. 3850. 63 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg. 3084. Ph. 44 3511 Ph. 459 0511

i SHEPPARTON Welsford Chambers, 55 Welsford Street, Shepparton. 3630. Ph. 21 4355 ST. K IL D A 165 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda. 3182. Ph. 534 8301 SUNSHINE 1st Floor, 27 Devonshire Road, Sunshine. 3020. Ph.311 8811 SWAN H IL L 337 Campbell Street, Swan Hill. 3585. Ph. 32 4526 WANGARATTA Commonwealth Centre, Cnr. Faithful & Ovens Streets, Wangaratta. 3677. WARRNAMBOOL Hanover Arcade, 144 Koroit Street, Warrnambool. 3280. Ph. 62 1599 WERRIBEE Ballan House, 3 Duncans Road, Werribee. 3030. Ph. 741 1400

This leaflet is part o f the series called Unemployment Benefits: know yaur rights. Leaflets available are: Unemployment Benefit: how do you get it? e Amount of Benefit e Educated and unemployed e The Work Test e Your cheque hasn't arrived: what should you do? e Field Officers e De facto relationships e Your right to appeal e If you are sick; other Benefits; Training Schemes ■ Unemployment Benefit and taxation • Lists of C.E.S. Offices and Department of Social Security Offices. If you have any questions about information on these leaflets or about Unemployment Rights, contact Unemployment Rights Service, Brotherhood of St. Laurence, 67 Brunswick St., Fitzroy. 3065. Ph. (03) 419 7055. Information correct at January, 1980.