Newstart with no Support

Some of may already be aware of the recent changes to Centrelink and their Activity Agreements, and by recent I mean around december 2006! Up until that time, actors and performers were exempt from submitting activity statements for the first 12 months of their career. They were not required to accept or search for alternative employment outside the chosen industry in order to receive benefits. 12 months in which to focus on where they really wanted to be.

In 2007, that all changed, and without explanation nor warning. That first 12 months where an actor was able to focus on getting a decent agent, building a list of contacts and actually getting a few jobs here and there are now gone. You have been placed into the same pool as other unemployed workers not involved is industries as competative nor involving. You no longer have that room to build up your reputation and get your foot in the door. You now have to think about taking the first job that comes along, and not an acting one either. You are also required to attend Job Network, attend workshops, meetings, etc.

The removal of this excemption is supposedly "...because this concession, which was first introduced in 1991, is not consistent with current Australian government policy."

Equity has been lobbying against this situation and have had some progress. Recent comments from ALP Member Peter Garrett ask for the support structures for Australian Actors be reviewed and amended to be "...responsive to the needs of student and workers in arts and culture. In particular, they should reflect the varied nature of artists' income generation within years and over different years."

At this point in time however, there has been no change at a functional level.

Based on an article written by Susannah Hardy - NSW based performer for Equity (Winter 2007)