What happens during and after the assessment

What we discuss at your ESAt

We’ll talk to you about factors that affect your ability to work. This may include questions about:

• your barriers to work, including disability, illness or injury
• how these barriers affect your ability to work
• any recent help or rehabilitation you’ve had
• your past experiences looking for work or keeping a job.

If you give us permission, we may also contact your treating health professional to get more details about your medical condition.

Outcome of your ESAt

We’ll write a report that details the information we discuss during your ESAt.

This report may include information about:

• the barriers that affect your ability to find or keep a job
• your work capacity
• which type of employment services provider best meets your needs
• what supports or interventions could help you find or keep a job.

We’ll share your ESAt with your employment services provider if you have one. This helps them understand your situation and tailor their services to support your needs.

Find out more about employment services on the Workforce Australia website.

Work Capacity

We’ll use information from your treating health professional to assess your work capacity. They’ll look at how many hours you:

• can work now
• might be able to work within the next 2 years if you get the right supports, interventions or workplace adjustments.

You have a partial capacity to work if both your:

• current work capacity is less than 30 hours a week
• future work capacity with intervention is less than 30 hours a week.

We may also temporarily reduce your work capacity if you have a short-term medical condition. This includes a temporary flare-up of an ongoing condition.

If you’ve already had an ESAt, you may need a new one if either:

• your medical circumstances significantly change
• you need a more recent assessment to access a payment or service such as Inclusive Employment Australia.

How your ESAt is used

We use your ESAt to connect you with the right services or payments.

If you have an employment services provider, they’ll use your ESAt to tailor their services to meet your needs and help you find suitable work.

If you have mutual obligation requirements, they’ll be matched to your work capacity. Find out more about how you can meet your mutual obligation requirements if you have a reduced capacity.

If you get Disability Support Pension and are under 35, we’ll decide if you have participation requirements. Find out more about meeting DSP participation requirements if you’re under 35. You won’t have participation requirements if you’re 35 or older.

Referral to an employment services provider

If we believe an employment services provider can help you improve your ability to work and find a job, we’ll let you know.

Not all providers offer the same services, and some may not be available in your area.

We’ll let you know which providers and services are available to you. We’ll also help you understand your options and refer you to your preferred provider.

Find out more about getting started in employment services on the Workforce Australia website.

How to get a copy of your ESAt

You can ask us for a copy of your ESAt at any time by:

• using your Centrelink online account and selecting Request a document
• calling your regular payment line
• visiting a service centre.

We’ll let you know if you need to make a formal Freedom of Information request.