Help and support
This section outlines various forms of employment, education and training assistance available from the Commonwealth and State governments. Give yourself the edge at your next job interview - study with Wide Bay Institute of TAFE.
WideBay TAFE also have support officers on campus.
State Government assistance
Breaking the Unemployment Cycle is a Queensland Government initiative that has created over 63 000 jobs across the state since 1998.
The initiative administers government funded jobs programs.
Commonwealth Government assistance
Centrelink
Education and training
Financial assistance
Employment
Personal Support Programme
Indigenous jobseekers
Jobseekers with family responsibilities
Jobseekers with a disability
Multicultural assistance
Financial assistance for unemployed people
Centrelink
Centrelink is often the first point of contact for students and unemployed people seeking information about education and training, financial assistance while studying and employment assistance.
Centrelink has changed the way it delivers services by looking at customer needs and their life events and tailoring a program of payments and services for them.
Certain conditions apply to a number of the programs described in this section, so it is important to ask Centrelink staff for information regarding eligibility for participation in a particular program.
More information can be obtained by visiting a Centrelink office or phoning 13 10 21 to make an appointment to talk to a Customer Service Officer. There are more than 400 Centrelink offices around Australia.
Education and training
Career Counselling
Career Counselling is a service to assist people to make career choices. People who are having trouble deciding what they want in a career and need direction, whether it is deciding on a course of study, upgrading their existing skills or just finding the right job, can receive assistance through Career Counselling.
Assistance includes identifying and matching jobseeker goals to interests and abilities, looking at the range of jobs available in their area of interest, finding out about training or study available for their career choice, and planning a strategy to find available work in their chosen field. Contact your local Centrelink office.
Centrelink Youth and Student Services
Centrelink's Youth and Student Services are targeted at young people who are aged 15-24. Also included in this group are Indigenous students, other students aged 25 or older, and parents/guardians claiming assistance for isolated or Indigenous primary and secondary students. Young people do not need to be receiving a payment or allowance to access many of the services offered through Centrelink. Centrelink Customer Service Officers can give advice and information about career options, training and looking for work choices.
Customer Service Officers aim to help young people understand and access the education, training and employment options available to them. They also help them to identify and reach their individual goals. This can involve further study, apprenticeships and traineeships, or help in getting a job.
They can help them achieve their goals by providing a personalised service that assists them to become more independent. This includes assessing their eligibility for income support, providing employment placement, providing accommodation support, and giving career information, personal counselling and accurate and relevant contacts with other youth organisations and groups.
Specialist Youth Servicing Units
Specialist Youth Servicing Units offer young people access to more intensive help, especially those who are in the greatest need. The focus is on helping the homeless, those at risk of becoming homeless, and young people leaving, or thinking of leaving school early.
The Job Placement, Employment and Training Programme
The Job Placement, Employment and Training programme (JPET) assists young people aged 15-21 by providing ongoing support and referral services to those with a range of problems such as housing, family problems, lack of self-esteem, substance abuse, sexual or other abuse, income support, and other barriers to education, employment and training.
JPET specifically provides assistance to those at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, ex-offenders, wards of the state and refugees. For more information, phone Centrelink on 13 24 90.
Centrelink Career Information Centres
Centrelink has 12 Career Information Centres where people can talk to staff and get information about career options, courses, apprenticeships and traineeships. Resources include printed and video information on more than 1000 occupations, local and interstate tertiary institution course details, and employment prospects for a variety of jobs.
Your local Centrelink office can tell you where to find your nearest Career Information Centre.
New Apprenticeship Access Program
New Apprenticeship Access Program (NAAP) provides pre-vocational training and support and assistance to obtain and successfully maintain a New Apprenticeship, employment or further education and training. NAAP helps people facing employment barriers to successfully take part in a New Apprenticeship. NAAP works on the premise that, with preliminary training, placement assistance and support, jobseekers who are disadvantaged can access and maintain a meaningful career. NAAP training can last for up to 26 weeks and is linked to a New Apprenticeship. Contact your local Centrelink office for more information.
Green Corps
Green Corps is a voluntary youth development program and environmental training program for young people aged 17-20 who have an interest in improving Australia's environment and cultural heritage. Green Corps undertakes priority environment and heritage conservation projects developed together with conservation organisations, community groups and local, State and Territory governments across Australia.
Placements in Green Corps projects are full time for twenty-six weeks, and each project involves teams of ten young people and a team leader. Projects are in rural, remote and metropolitan areas where environmental and conservation work is needed. Green Corps participants, while demonstrating their commitment to the environment, also gain improved career and employment prospects through accredited and on-the-job project training and personal development opportunities.
Participants who have completed the Green Corps program have gone on to pursue careers as rangers, fire fighters, website developers, environmental scientists, mechanics and forestry workers.
Anyone aged 17-20 years who can satisfy the youth allowance residence requirements can apply for a place on the program. Participants get an allowance depending on their highest level of education and how much time has passed since they left school.
For information about projects or about applying for a Green Corps placement, phone the national Employment Services Hotline on 13 62 68 (FREECALL) or visit the website at www.greencorps.gov.au.
Financial assistance
Youth Allowance
Youth Allowance is an income support payment to assist young people while they are studying fulltime, looking for work, doing an approved training course or undertaking a combination of activities. Young people can move between looking for a job, training and studying without having to change to a different payment.
Youth Allowance rates depend on whether you are single, have a partner, have children, or you need to live away from home to study or look for work. If your income or assets (or your parents' income and assets) are above a certain amount, you may be eligible for a reduced allowance.
If you plan to leave school before finishing Year 12 and do not plan on doing any further study or training, you will probably have to rely on your parents for support. If you are 16 or 17, have left school without finishing Year 12 and cannot find a job, you will generally have to do some form of study or training.
To find out more phone 13 24 90 and ask for a copy of Youth Allowance: The Guide or visit the website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
ABSTUDY
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students aged 16 and over (or at least 15 in some cases) can apply for ABSTUDY instead of Youth Allowance. Parents or guardians of younger secondary students may also be eligible for assistance. To find out which payment would be better for you, make an appointment with Centrelink by phoning 13 10 21.
A range of allowances are available to ABSTUDY students and families to help meet the costs associated with education expenses. Students who are approved for boarding, or tertiary students living away from home to study, may be assisted with travel between home and place of study. For more information about ABSTUDY phone 13 23 17 or visit the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
Assistance for Isolated Children
Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) provides allowances for families who do not have reasonable access to an appropriate government school because of geographic isolation, a disability, health-related reasons or a special education need. To find out more about AIC phone 13 23 18 or visit the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
Austudy Payment
Austudy payment provides assistance to full-time students aged 25 years and older. It is paid to students whose financial circumstances are such that without financial help, full-time study would not be possible. For further information phone 13 24 90 or visit the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
Pensioner Education Supplement
Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) is a payment which provides help with the ongoing costs of part-time or full-time study for recipients of some Centrelink and Veterans' Affairs income support payments. For more information about PES phone 13 24 90 or visit the Centrelink website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
Veterans' Children Education Scheme
Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) provides assistance to children of certain deceased, blinded, or totally and permanently incapacitated veterans or members of the defence or peacekeeping forces. The range of benefits available include:
- educational guidance and counselling
- an education allowance
- rent assistance
- additional tuition assistance
- special financial assistance.
For further information visit the website at http://www.dva.gov.au/contacts/maincon.htm or phone your state office of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
Employment
Employment assistance through Centrelink
Centrelink's role in providing employment assistance is to:
- be the first point of contact for people seeking employment assistance and income support
- register jobseekers eligible to access Job Network services
- identify and refer eligible jobseekers who may benefit from available services
- foster self-employment opportunities
- provide self-help facilities
- assess, determine and make payments of allowances to eligible customers.
Employment Self Help
People who are looking for a job can use the Employment Self Help area in each Centrelink office. In this area you will find touch-screens which have information about job vacancies throughout Australia and lists of all Job Network members and their contact details. Other services include the provision of local and national newspapers and other career reference material.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy Training
Jobseekers whose basic English, reading, writing or maths skills are making it difficult for them to get a job may be able to receive assistance through a free Language, Literacy and Numeracy Training Programme. This training aims to assist jobseekers improve their chances of getting and keeping a job, as well as making their everyday lives easier. The training is provided by a local trainer or TAFE, with classes tailored to the individual needs of the person. Centrelink will refer interested and eligible jobseekers for a professional assessment of their skills to decide if the training is right for them.
For more information contact your nearest Centrelink office, or phone 13 28 50 (Newstart) or 13 24 90 (Youth Allowance).
Job Network
Job Network provides two levels of service for job seekers - Job Search Support and Intensive Support. The services are provided by Job Network Members, a network of private and community organisations dedicated to helping you find and keep a job.
For more information visit the Job Network website at www.jobnetwork.gov.au.
Self Employment Programs
This program helps individual jobseekers and enterprises under the following schemes.
New Enterprise Incentive Scheme
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) assists eligible unemployed people to establish viable new small businesses. NEIS offers a comprehensive package of assistance including:
- small business management and skills training (including assistance with the development of a business plan)
- income support for up to 12 months
- ongoing support, including mentor support, during the first year of business operation.
More information about NEIS is available from Centrelink offices.
Self Employment and Group/ Community Cooperative Enterprise Development
The Self Employment and Group/Community Cooperative Enterprise Development (SED/GCCE) offers unemployed people the opportunity to take part in self-employment development or a cooperative enterprise. A placement on SED/GCCE means participants do not have to look for work in order to continue to receive Centrelink benefits. You can get more information about SED/GCCE from your local Centrelink office.
Personal Support Programme
The Personal Support Programme (PSP) is a new program that helps people whose personal circumstances make it difficult for them to join the workforce or community life.
PSP can provide participants with individual, tailored assistance to overcome employment barriers such as homelessness, drug or alcohol problems, mental illness, domestic violence or other difficult situations.
More information about PSP is available from Centrelink offices.
Indigenous jobseekers
Centrelink is the gateway to the Job Network, the national network of employment offices. Centrelink staff, including Indigenous Customer Service Officers, provide Indigenous jobseekers with advice and assistance about employment, Job Network and ABSTUDY. Indigenous specialist Job Network providers are available in some locations. Centrelink can tell you if there is one in your area.
Wage Assistance
Ask Centrelink about Wage Assistance. When you register for work with Centrelink, they will check your eligibility for a Wage Assistance card. You can use your Wage Assistance card in your job search to offer employers as a bonus when they employ you.
National Indigenous Cadetship Project
Ask about the National Indigenous Cadetship Project. This program offers opportunities for full-time tertiary students to gain work in the public and private sectors during the holidays and provides possible employment opportunities when you have graduated. Cadets receive a study allowance while they are studying. The job focus includes major private sector companies and corporations. Students intending to study or who are enrolled to study at universities (or equivalent) are eligible to apply for a cadetship. Eligibility can include TAFE students studying Information Technology. Applications can be lodged before September 30 to be included in the large NICP recruitment round.
For more information go to www.nicp.dewr.gov.au, or phone the Indigenous Employment Line on 1802 102 (Toll Free).
The simplest and quickest way to find public and private sector jobs from employers looking for Indigenous jobseekers is to use the Find A Job on the Indigenous Employment website at www.jobsearch.gov.au. You can also contact your Job Network Member, or call the Jobseeker Hotline on 13 62 68.
You can also put your education, training and/or work details directly on to the Indigenous Employment Website using Résumé Builder. Your skills will be matched with available jobs and employers can contact you by email. Website: www.jobsearch.gov.au.
Jobseekers with family responsibilities
Jobs, Education and Training
Jobs, Education and Training (JET) is a program designed to help eligible Centrelink customers access training, education, employment and child care information. To get in touch with a Centrelink JET adviser, contact a Centrelink Customer Service Centre or phone 13 13 05. To make an appointment phone 13 10 21.
Childcare Benefit
Childcare Benefit is a subsidy paid by the government to approved child care services to reduce child care fees. The amount paid depends upon an individual's family income, the number of dependent children, how many of those children are in approved child care and the carer's fees.
To find out more about what Childcare Assistance can offer, contact your local Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.
Jobseekers with a disability
Jobseekers with a disability can receive help from Centrelink Disability Officers and specialist disability and carer services staff to access the most appropriate employment assistance, according to their individual needs. There are a number of services available to help people with disabilities find a job, including Job Network and specialist disability employment services. All jobseekers with disabilities are eligible for Job Matching and Employment Self Help.
Ask at your local Centrelink office for more information.
Multicultural assistance
Specialist officers
Centrelink has specialist officers who can assist customers with special needs, for example social workers; financial information service officers; disability support officers; Indigenous service officers; multicultural service officers; jobs, employment and training officers; and Centrelink community officers.
National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR)
NOOSR is the national expert and coordinating body on overseas skills assessments and recognition. Its mission is to help overseas-trained professionals to work and study in Australia by providing information, advice and assistance about the recognition of overseas qualifications and skills, and encourage improved international arrangements for the recognition of qualifications and skills.
For more information about the assistance AEI-NOOSR offers phone 1800 020 086 (FREECALL) or visit the website at www.aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/ to access the Qualifications Recognition section.
Financial assistance for unemployed people
Newstart
Newstart Allowance is paid by Centrelink to unemployed people aged 21 years or older if they are registered as unemployed and are actively looking for work.
A person on Newstart Allowance may undertake approved training courses or voluntary work as part of their Preparing for Work Agreement negotiated with Centrelink. All training and voluntary work undertaken instead of job search must be approved beforehand by Centrelink.
For more information about Newstart phone 13 28 50 or visit the website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
Youth Allowance
Youth Allowance is an income support payment to assist young people while they are studying full time, looking for work, doing an approved training course or undertaking a combination of activities. Young people can move between looking for a job, training or studying without having to change to a different payment. To find out more phone 13 24 90 or visit the website at www.centrelink.gov.au.
Content provided by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training and the Job Guide.
Other languages