At the conclusion of the conference, Commissioners may decide that no further action is necessary, reprimand the client, encourage the client to enter into a Family Responsibilities Agreement (FRA), recommend or direct the client to attend relevant community support services or place the client on a Conditional Income Management (CIM) order, where they will become eligible for enhanced Income Management.
During the conferencing process, Commissioners may decide to refer the client under an FRC case plan to community support services such as:
At a conference, a decision may be made to issue a client with a CIM order, where they will become eligible for enhanced Income Management. Due consideration is given first to the individual circumstances of the client and whether it may be more appropriate to take alternative action. Primarily CIM orders are issued to stabilise a client’s circumstances, particularly where children or other vulnerable people are concerned. CIM orders may also be made where a client fails to attend two scheduled conferences, is not complying with their agreement or order, or the Commission is continuing to receive additional notices in relation to their behaviour.
CIM orders are issued for a defined period of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, with the Commissioners determining whether 60, 75 or 90 percent of fortnightly welfare payments are income managed. Commissioners may revoke a CIM order prior to the end of the defined period should the client complete an application to amend or end their agreement or order and have demonstrated sufficient progress in addressing the issue/s which have brought them before the Commission. The client may then be encouraged to continue to attend support services, or they may elect to continue on enhanced Income Management should they wish. Some clients request extensions of the CIM order or an amendment to the percentage that is income managed to ensure the stability of their finances is maintained.
Notice of the CIM order is provided to the client and to Services Australia to action. When a client starts on enhanced Income Management, they will get an enhanced Income Management account with a SmartCard. Some of their income support payment will be paid into their enhanced Income Management account (60, 75 or 90 percent) and the rest (40, 25 or 10 percent) will be paid into their regular bank account. They can use a SmartCard to access the money in their enhanced Income Management account. Clients may also volunteer for enhanced Income Management to assist them to budget and meet the costs of everyday essentials. Once a client comes off enhanced Income Management, they return to their prior arrangements with Services Australia regarding their welfare payments.
