Family Responsibilities Commission Act 2008

After holding a conference, the commission may decide to enter into an agreement (a family responsibilities agreement) with the person the subject of the conference if satisfied the person is a community member.

A family responsibilities agreement must be about—

the person attending an appropriate community support service under a case plan; or

the commission giving the secretary a notice requiring that the person be subject to income management.

Also, if the commission is constituted under section 50A, a notice mentioned in subsection (2)(b) may only require the person to be subject to income management if—

the requirement has first been endorsed by the commissioner; or

if, after considering the requirement and each of the constituting member’s reasons for the decision or not agreeing with the decision, the commissioner does not endorse it—the requirement is affirmed by the commission as constituted under section 53A(3) or (4).

Before making a decision mentioned in section 69(1)(b)(iii) or (iv), the commission must take reasonable steps to enter into a family responsibilities agreement with the person if the commission considers it appropriate in the circumstances.

If a family responsibilities agreement is about a person attending a community support service under a case plan, the agreement must state—

the period, of not more than 1 year, for which the person is required to attend the community support service; and

details of the community support service; and

information about the preparation of the case plan under this Act.

If a family responsibilities agreement is about the commission giving the secretary a notice requiring that a person be subject to income management, the agreement must state—

the period, of at least 3 months but not more than 1 year, for which the person will be subject to income management; and

the proportion of the person’s welfare payments that is required to be deducted under income management.

Subsections (5) and (6) do not limit the matters that may be included in a family responsibilities agreement.

Before entering into a family responsibilities agreement with a person, the commission must take the reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure the terms of the agreement are fully understood by the person.

A family responsibilities agreement for a person must be signed by—

the person; and

the commissioner or a constituting member for the conference.