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Social Security Act 2018

Obligations - Beneficiaries’ obligations - Specific obligations: work-test obligations

144: General obligation to be available for suitable employment, etc

You could also call this:

“You must be ready to work and look for suitable jobs”

You must be ready to work if this rule applies to you. This means you need to look for jobs that suit you and take sensible steps to find work. If someone offers you a good job, you have to take it. This includes short-term jobs, jobs that only happen at certain times of the year, or jobs where the government helps pay your wages.

If the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) tells you about a job that might suit you, you need to go to the interview. You also need to take part in the interview properly.

Remember, these rules are about making sure you’re doing your best to find work that’s right for you.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM6783383.

Topics:
Work and jobs > Worker rights
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143: Time when work-test obligation applies, or

“When you must follow work rules if you get government help”

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145: Meaning of suitable employment, or

“What MSD thinks is a good job for you”

Part 3 Obligations
Beneficiaries’ obligations: Specific obligations: work-test obligations

144General obligation to be available for suitable employment, etc

  1. A person to whom this section applies must—

  2. be available for, and take reasonable steps to obtain, suitable employment; and
    1. accept any offer of suitable employment, including temporary employment or employment that is seasonal or subsidised; and
      1. attend and participate in an interview for any opportunity of suitable employment to which the beneficiary is referred by MSD.

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