Work experience is an important part of Job Services Australia’s new approach to employment services. A range of opportunities are available to suit your needs. Being involved in work experience activities gives you new opportunities to build on your existing job skills, learn new skills, network with employers and improve your chances of finding a job.
Benefits of undertaking Work Experience Activites
Work Experience Activities will help you to:
- develop your skills on the job
- demonstrate your abilities to potential employers
- obtain references
- meet new work contacts
- take part in structured training
- stay connected to the workforce.
Your Job Services Australia provider can help you access Work Experience activities to enhance your chances of getting a job. Your Job Services Australia provider will contact you regularly and provide ongoing support while you’re involved in any Work Experience Activities.
A range of Work Experience Activity options
As a job seeker registered with Job Services Australia, you can participate in Work Experience Activities at any time - with the assistance of your Job Services Australia provider. Together you can discuss whether a Work Experience Activity is appropriate and if so, what options might be best for you.
Job Services Australia provides a flexible range of Work Experience options, from working as part of a team on a group activity, to an individual Work Experience Activity placement with a Work Experience Host Organisation.
Activities may include:
Your Job Services Australia provider will also continue to meet with you at least every two months while you are undertaking a Work Experience Activity.
Tailored support to help you find a job
If you have been unemployed for 12 months, you may be required to participate in one or more Work Experience Activities which will help you develop skills, and experience work-like environments. Your Job Services Australia provider will advise you when you are required to start in a Work Experience Activity.
If you are not able to participate in any of these activities, you may also be able to participate in programs or services to help you overcome other barriers to employment, such as health issues, homelessness or interpersonal skills. If you are undertaking these services, you might not need to do additional Work Experience Activities.
You can, in some circumstances, combine Work Experience Activities. You may also be able to participate during times which best suit your other obligations, such as study, part-time or casual employment, or parental or caring responsibilities.
Who can participate in Work Experience Activities
All job seekers can participate in Work Experience Activities with Job Services Australia. Job seekers aged between 18 and 49 years who have completed approximately 12 months with a Job Services Australia provider must participate in a Work Experience Activity, or a combination of activities, over a 26-week period for every additional 12 months they receive services from a Job Services Australia provider.
You are not required to participate in Work Experience if you are:
- exempt from the activity test or participation requirements
- aged 15 to 17 years
- a pre-release prisoner
- aged 50 years or over (unless you are aged 50 to 59 years with a full-time activity test requirement and your Job Services Australia provider considers you would benefit from full-time Work for the Dole).
If your Job Services Australia provider advises you that you need to participate in an Intensive Activity or a Compliance Activity you can do so by undertaking a Work Experience Activity.
If you receive Newstart, Youth Allowance or Parenting Payment and have participation requirements, your Job Services Australia provider will work with you to help you look for work and take part in activities that will help you get a job.
If you are unable to take part in activities you should discuss this with your Job Services Australia provider as early as possible to avoid any changes to your income support payments.
How to become involved
You can discuss with your Job Services Australia provider what activity options are available in your area.
Your Job Services Australia provider will consider your personal circumstances and work with you to identify suitable activities to include in your Employment Pathway Plan.
In most cases, you will have six weeks from this meeting to choose a Work Experience Activity, or combination of activities. If you do not choose an activity, your Job Services Australia provider may place you in a Work for the Dole, Green Corps or other activity, based on your eligibility.
More information
For more information on Work Experience contact your local Job Services Australia provider or download one or more of the range of Work Experience factsheets available on the Resources page.