Jobseeker Support

Jobseeker Support is one of the initiatives under the Back to Work program. It provides financial assistance to disadvantaged jobseekers to secure ongoing employment and supports individuals where there is an economic barrier to gaining or retaining employment.

Program key details
Eligible jobseekers

Jobseekers who identify as belonging to one or more of the following target groups:

  • young people aged 15–24 years (unemployed for a minimum of 8 weeks)
  • First Nations peoples (unemployed for a minimum of 8 weeks)
  • people with disability (unemployed for a minimum of 8 weeks)
  • culturally and linguistically diverse people (unemployed for a minimum of 8 weeks)
  • long-term unemployed people (unemployed for 52 weeks or longer)
Status Applications open for initial payments until 30 June 2026. Eligibility conditions apply
Available payment All requests for funding will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to meet individual needs
Key documents

How payments are made

Payments will be made directly to the provider for the services or items you are seeking to purchase. You will be required to submit quotes/invoices with your application.

  • To be eligible for support you must:

    • be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or Australian permanent resident (including humanitarian entrants), or a temporary resident with the necessary visa and work permits on the pathway to permanent residency
    • belong to one or more of the following groups
      • First Nations peoples
      • people with disability
      • culturally and linguistically diverse peoples
      • long-term unemployed persons (unemployed for 52 weeks or longer)
    • be over 15 years old
    • have been unemployed for at least 8 weeks
    • not be a full-time student and must not have been a full-time student within the 8 weeks before submitting an application for Jobseeker Support.

  • Eligible services/items

    • Driving lessons
    • White Card, Blue Card, Yellow Card fees, etc
    • Machinery tickets or other licences
    • Funding to purchase identification (birth certificate/driver licence/18+ card)
    • Uniforms and appropriate tools and equipment relevant to your chosen career path

    Ineligible services/items

    You may not seek funding for:

    • goods and services purchased prior to your application being approved
    • vocational qualifications with in the Australian Qualifications Framework (e.g. Certificate III courses)
    • purchase of assets or capital equipment (i.e. laptops, tablet computers and mobile phones)
    • contributions to wages for any future job you are appointed to.

Application process

Applications must be made online by completing the application form. Only one application per jobseeker will be accepted.

The application must be submitted by the jobseeker directly and must answer the questions in the application truthfully. Applications found to include false or misleading information will not be approved and may be referred to the relevant law enforcement agency. Any information provided in your application form may also be used to verify eligibility, including employment status.

You’ll need to supply important information, including:

  • contact information
  • details of the financial support you are requesting
  • evidence of how this support will result in an employment opportunity (e.g. employment contract, letter of offer or request from potential employer)
  • a minimum of one quote for services or items to be purchased.

Supporting documents

All scanned documents must be valid, current and legible and in a standard format (e.g. PDF, JPEG or Word).

Documents requiring clarification or resubmission may result in delays to the application process.

Evidence of identity and proof of address

You will be required to provide evidence of your identity and proof of address. This identification must:

  • match the name and details of the person named on the application
  • and
  • be uploaded as an attachment with your application.

You can use any of the following documents as evidence of your identity and proof of address:

  • passport
  • drivers licence
  • photo issued government ID
  • birth certificate
  • utility bill
  • rates notice
  • lease agreement
  • bank statement.

If you are under 18 years old, you will also be required to submit a parental or guardian consent form.

Apply now

Note: Jobseeker Support is not an emergency fund, so you will need to be mindful of application timeframes.

The Jobseeker Support program does not apply for licences, tickets, etc on your behalf. If your application is approved, you will be advised how to submit your applications separately.

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