Initial Information for Potential Sponsors
Please read the following information prior to submitting an Activity Application.
What is a sponsor?
A Work for the Dole sponsor is subcontracted to a Community Work Coordinator CWC to develop, manage and provide activities for work experience participants.
Sponsors are bound by the same Code of Conduct, Rules, Service Standards and Terms and Conditions the CWC has with Department of Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Organisations eligible to become sponsors
Not-for-profit organisations are eligible to become sponsors.
For-profit organisations are not eligible to be sponsor organisations, nor can Work for the Dole participants be placed in for-profit organisations.
The role of the sponsor organisation
The sponsor organisation role includes:
- Providing on-site supervision of participants
- Ensuring relevant Occupational Health and Safety requirements are met
- Ensuring relevant Skills in Demand are met
- Providing participants with necessary training
- Recording and reporting on participant attendance
- Providing CWCs with relevant information to assist with funding acquittals
- Notifying CWCs of a participant's withdrawal from the project so a replacement can be arranged
- Allowing DEWR and CWCs access to participants and the activity site to facilitate monitoring.
Becoming a sponsor organisation
If a potential sponsor organisation has a worthwhile idea for a Work for the Dole activity, it should design, plan and cost the activity and present it to the CWC for approval.
On becoming a sponsor organisation after the approval of an activity, the sponsor must then enter into a contract with the CWC setting out the terms and conditions of the approved Work for the Dole Activity.
The CWC will manage the referral of participants to the sponsor organisation for participation in the activity.
Type of activities that can be approved
Activities can be undertaken in areas such as heritage or history, the environment, community care, tourism, sport provision of community services, restoration and maintenance of community facilities, and many other community based activities. Activities should be developed to ensure the Skills in Demand, identified by DEWR, are met.
Please refer to our activity section to see examples of projects and activities supported by the Kangan Institute CWC.
Benefits for the community
Each activity must benefit the community in such a way that it:
- Would not have proceeded without Work for the Dole funding
- Provides additional support for existing services
- Accelerates the commencement of a planned local community service.
Benefits for work experience participants
Activities must provide eligible work experience participants with:
- A variety of work experiences in which to apply their skills and abilities;
- Scope to improve their skills and gain new skills that lead to employment (Skills in Demand)
- Responsibilities and challenges
- Opportunities for social interaction within the workplace.
How long can an activity run?
An activity generally runs for a minimum of six months and no more than twelve months.
Insurance
Community Work Coordinators and sponsor organisations must:
- Maintain at least $10m public liability cover for the term of their service delivery
- Have appropriate insurance cover for their staff, premises and equipment (including motor vehicles) and
- Comply with their relevant State orTerritory's workers' compensation legislation.
For the course of their participation in a Work for the Dole activity the Commonwealth provides participants with the following insurance cover:
- Personal accident and medical expenses not covered by Medicare
- Public and or products liability
Funding
Work experience funds are available for sponsor organisations to provide work experience opportunities.
Funding covers items such as:
- Supervision of Work Experience participants
- Materials
- Lease of capital equipment
- Audits
- Advertising
- Training (maximum 12% of budget)
- Protective clothing and other items for each participant and payments to host sites.
Obtaining an activity application form
Potential sponsors should contact Kangan Institute:
| Phone: | (03) 9094 3020 |
|---|---|
| Email: | wfd@kangan.edu.au |
| Postal address: | Kangan Institute - Work for the Dole Unit Private Bag 299 Somerton Vic 3062 |
Completing the Activity Application Form
Applicants are asked to complete the form and return it to Kangan Institute. The form will ask for details of the organisation, the proposed activity and a projected budget for the activity. The sponsor organisation will need to provide proof of financial viability.
The CWC will do a Risk Assessment before the activity is approved. The CWC can provide more details to sponsors if required.
Application consideration
The Community Work Coordinator will consider all applications and make recommendations for funding if it is considered an appropriate activity.
Need more information on becoming a sponsor?
For more information on becoming a sponsor visit www.workplace.gov.au/Workplace/ESDisplay/
Contact details
If you have any questions please contact:
| Phone: | (03) 9094 3020 |
|---|---|
| Email: | wfd@kangan.edu.au |
| Postal address: | Kangan Institute - Work for the Dole Unit Private Bag 299 Somerton Vic 3062 |
Further information about Work for the Dole
If you require further information, please visit www.workplace.gov.au or contact the Kangan Institute Work for the Dole Unit.
