JobSeeker: Fuel Costs & Job Search

Short answer: not if you have a reasonable excuse and you told them in advance.

Under the mutual obligations framework, you're expected to attend appointments and actively look for work. But if you genuinely cannot attend because of fuel costs, that can be a "reasonable excuse" for non-attendance.

The critical bit: you must contact your provider BEFORE the appointment. If you just don't show up and call afterwards, you're on much weaker ground. A missed appointment without prior notice can trigger a payment suspension or a demerit point.

What to do:

1. Call your employment provider at least 24 hours before
2. Explain you cannot afford fuel and request a phone or video appointment
3. If they refuse, ask them to record your request
4. Follow up in writing (email or text) confirming what you discussed

Paper trail is everything with Centrelink. If it's not written down, it didn't happen.

Services Australia's guidelines list "financial hardship" as a potential reasonable excuse for missing mutual obligation requirements. The fuel crisis falls squarely under this.

Situations likely accepted as reasonable:

• Fuel costs would consume more than 10% of your fortnightly payment for the round trip
• You live regionally with no public transport alternative
• There's a fuel shortage and you literally can't buy fuel locally
• You've demonstrated active job search through other means (online applications, phone interviews)

Situations that might NOT be accepted:

• You live on a public transport route and chose not to use it
• You have funds available but chose to spend them on other things
• You didn't notify your provider in advance

The standard is "would a reasonable person in similar circumstances have done the same thing?" During a fuel crisis, the bar shifts in your favour.

Since COVID, most employment providers are set up for remote appointments. During the fuel crisis, you have a strong case for requesting phone or video for all appointments.

How to request it:

• Call your provider: "Due to the fuel crisis, I'd like to attend appointments by phone or video until further notice."
• If they push back, escalate to the provider's manager
• If they still refuse, call the Department of Employment on 1800 805 260 and lodge a complaint

Providers are assessed on participant engagement. A participant who attends by phone is better than one who doesn't show up at all — it's in their interest to accommodate you.

Here's something most job seekers don't know: your employment services provider may be able to reimburse your travel costs for job interviews.

The Employment Fund gives providers money to help participants find work. This can include:

• Fuel vouchers for job interviews
• Public transport tickets
• Uber/taxi fares to and from interviews
• Vehicle repairs needed for a job

To access this, ask your provider directly: "I have a job interview on [date] and I can't afford the travel costs. Can the Employment Fund help?"

Providers don't advertise this widely because the fund is limited, but they're supposed to help with genuine barriers to employment. Fuel costs are a textbook barrier.

Your Job Plan specifies the area you're expected to search. If fuel costs make long-distance travel unreasonable, you can request a reduced search radius.

1. Tell your provider: "Due to fuel costs, I'd like to reduce my job search area to within [X] km of my home."
2. Put it in writing — email confirming the request
3. Ask for your Job Plan to be updated

What's "reasonable":

• Metro area with public transport: 30-50 km radius typical
• Regional with no public transport: 20-30 km may be reasonable
• If fuel costs would exceed 10% of potential earnings: strong case for reduction

Your provider can't force you to accept a job that would cost you more in fuel than you'd earn.

Before spending your payment on fuel, check these alternatives:

• Concession card fares: Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card gets you 50% off public transport in most states.
• QLD: 50c public transport fares state-wide for all users (extended through 2026).
• NSW: $50/week cap on Opal card travel for concession holders.
• VIC: Free weekend travel on myki for concession card holders.
• WA: Free off-peak travel for concession holders on Transperth.
• Community transport: Many local councils run free or cheap transport. Call your local council.

If you're on JobSeeker and using public transport for job search, keep your receipts — your provider may reimburse these through the Employment Fund.

Check our JobSeeker calculator and benefits check to make sure you're getting every dollar you're entitled to.