Clicking on a guide, linked in the bold blue text, will open up your guide in a new window on your browser.
How-to Guides and Fact Sheets
MINDSET – Feel more supported and in control
WORK OPTIONS – Explore what type of work you will do
ACTION – Find work and access support
- Getting support for a disability or a mental illness
- Getting English language support
- Setting up a small business
- Writing a basic resume
- Writing a resume to change careers
- Applying for advertised jobs
- Finding jobs that are not advertised
- Preparing for a job interview
- Working with employment agencies and recruiters
Computer Guides
Content produced November 2017
Clicking on a link in the bold blue text, will open up the link in a new window on your browser.
Other useful resources
- Australian Jobs 2018: An annual publication produced by the Government regarding trends in the labour market
- Australian Jobs Guide Occupation Matrix 2018: A summary of information on 350 occupations
Organisations that may provide help with:
Caring responsibilities
- Carers Australia – Resources to assist juggling work and caring responsibilities
- Payment & Services Finder – Department of Health and Human Services
Computer skills/Limited education
- Learn Local – Learn local are government registered organisations providing training programs to help you return to study, learn a new skill or get a job
- WIRE – Women’s Information Referral Exchange – provide free internet and computer tutoring and employment and career workshops. They can also refer women to support services in the local area. Call 1300 134 130
- Local Library – Most local libraries also provide a range of free computer courses
- Victorian Skills Gateway – Find a local training provider to increase your skills
Financial stress
- National Debt Helpline or call 1800 007 007 – Not-for-profit service to help Australian’s tackle debt problems including free financial counselling
- Access for Everyone – A program designed by Telstra for people on a low income, or facing financial hardship to maintain telecommunications access
- Housing Support – Information about government support for those in need of affordable housing
Homelessness
- Crisis Help Network: Melbourne Homeless Services – Information regarding crisis accommodation and a range of other services
- Access for Everyone – A program designed by Telstra for people on a low income, or facing financial hardship to maintain telecommunications access
- Homelessness Australia – Find out about support services specific to your state
Mental well-being
Contact your GP to discuss how your feel and what is the most suitable support you need
- Beyond Blue – Call 1300 224 636
- Lifeline – Call 13 11 14
- Sane – Call 1800 187263 or use online chat
- Grow Australia – Call 1800 558 268 – access mental wellness programs and free face-to-face support groups
- Mind Australia – One of the leading providers of mental health services in Victoria
- Mental illness fellowship of Australia – National resource and website listing
Physical illness/injury
- Work Safe – Advice for injured workers explaining the WorkSafe scheme, worker’s entitlements and information on returning to work
- Occupational Therapists Australia – Find a private therapist to assess the impact of your injury or illness. Call 1300 682 878
- Australian Job Search Website – Find a DES (Disability Employment Services) Provider with specialist knowledge supporting people with an injury or disability
- Work Focus – provides employment services for injured workers
Professional clothing
- Wear for Success – free personal outfitting service
- Fitted for Work – free personal outfitting service for women
- Dress for Success – free personal outfitting service for women
- Neighbourhood houses have organisations in every state. It is a community centre bringing people together and supporting them through various issues
- Local libraries can be a great place to attend social activities and be part of your local community
- Mensheds in Australia are the largest male based community development organisations. Find the closest one to you on the website
Transport issues
Find a public transport journey planner in your state:
- ACT: Transport Canberra
- NSW: Transport NSW
- NT: NT Bus journey planner
- SA: Adelaide Metro
- QLD: Translink
- VIC: Public Transport Victoria
- WA: Transperth
- Shareurride.com.au or coseats.com – Ride-sharing opportunities
Volunteering
- Volunteering Australia has a website that matches volunteers with opportunities across Australia. They also have a portal called govolunteer.com.au which lists different volunteering opportunities
- Goodcompany is a corporate workplace giving and volunteering website that matches prospective volunteers with volunteering opportunities:
Each state has specific websites that can be useful:
- ACT: Volunteering and Contact ACT
- NSW: NSW Volunteering
- SA & NT: Volunteering SA & NT
- QLD: Volunteering QLD
- VIC.: Volunteering Victoria
- WA: Volunteering WA
Content produced November 2017; partly updated 2018
Clicking on a guide, linked in the bold blue text, will open up your guide in a new window on your browser.
Jobactive staff job aids
- Jobactive Staff Guide | Using the Working It Out tool
- Jobactive Staff Guide | Managing jobseekers’ complex issues and concerns
- Jobactive Staff Guide | Marketing jobseekers to employers
Content produced November 2017
Clicking on a research report, linked in the bold blue text, will open up the report in a new window on your browser.
Research Reports
Reports published July 2018
If you would like to find out more about mature age jobseekers’ experiences, you could also watch both of these movies. They have won multiple prizes and are very well rated by viewers. You can view the full film on streaming platforms or on DVD.
Measure of a man (2016)
I, Daniel Blake (2016)
If out of date please contact the Work and Economic Security team at wes@bsl.org.au with the subject “Working for everyone”