Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) 2021

✦ Plain-English Summary

# Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) 2021

## What it does
This bill creates a new "Remote Engagement Program" for Indigenous Australians receiving social security payments, allowing them to meet their work or activity requirements through remote participation instead of in-person attendance. It also officially ends the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Scheme, which previously allowed remote communities to run their own employment programs.

## Why it matters
For Indigenous Australians in remote areas, this removes barriers to staying connected with their communities while still meeting welfare obligations. It recognises that geography shouldn't force people to choose between financial support and staying in their home region.

## Key details
- **Who it affects**: Indigenous Australians on social security payments in remote locations
- **Start date**: The Remote Engagement Program begins on a date to be announced by government proclamation (not automatic)
- **CDEP ending**: The old Community Development Employment Projects scheme ends, with new remote engagement rules replacing it
- **Age discrimination rules**: The bill adjusts age-related provisions in social security law to align with these changes

Official Description

Amends the: Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to provide for a supplementary payment to be made to eligible job seekers in remote engagement program pilot communities so that they can engage in activities or placements that are like having a job; Social Security Act 1991 to make amendments contingent on the commencement of the Social Security Legislation Amendment (Streamlined Participation Requirements and Other Measures) Act 2021 ; and Age Discrimination Act 2004 , Social Security Act 1991 and Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to remove redundant provisions relating to the former Community Development Employment Projects Scheme.

Committee Referrals

Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

Full bill PDF →APH page →

Audit History

Introduced

1 Sept 2021

Last updated on APH

10 Apr 2026

Outcome date

2 Dec 2021

Last checked by Crossbench

yesterday

Full text indexed

yesterday

🗳️

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

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