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I am a mature age job seeker in receipt of income support. What assistance is available to me?
Job Services Australia delivers tailored assistance to all job seekers depending on their level of disadvantage. As a mature age job seeker, you will:
- work with your employment service provider to develop your own ombination of job search, training and other assistance
- have opportunities to participate in a broad range of work experience activities including Green Corp
- have access to assistance through the Employment Pathway Fund to address any barriers to employment
- benefit from the role of Employer Brokers as they work with employers to encourage sustainable employment options.
If you have been made redundant as a result of the global recession, you may be eligible to gain immediate access to intensive assistance through Job Services Australia.
You can approach a Job Services Australia provider directly or contact Centrelink for more information. More information about Job Services Australia, including a list of providers in your area, is available on the Job Services Australia site:
Alternatively, you may wish to contact Centrelink on 13 28 50 or click on the following link to go to their web site:
If you require training or re-skilling in order to find sustainable employment, you may be eligible for assistance through the Productivity Places Program, which will provide 711 000 free training places over five years. More information, including how to access this assistance, is available by following the link below:
Australian Apprenticeships are available to anyone of working age and do not require any entry qualifications.
If you are 45 years or over and wish to undertake an Australian Apprenticeship, your employer may attract a special Mature Aged Worker Commencement Incentive and a Mature Aged Worker Completion Incentive.
Support is also available for Australians over 30 years of age to encourage them to undertake a trade apprenticeship by providing financial incentives. The payment is made to either the employer or the Australian Apprentice (depending on industrial arrangements).
For more information about Australian Apprenticeships, click on the following link:
Mature age job seekers also have access to private recruitment firms, many of which provide services free of charge to job seekers. A list of private recruitment firms that specialise in assisting mature age people into employment is available using the link below:
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I am a mature age job seeker not in receipt of income support. What assistance is available ?
As part of Job Services Australia, mature age job seekers not on income support (for example, self-funded retirees, Age Pensioners, or those not able to receive Newstart Allowance due to their partner’s income) are eligible for assistance including:
- an interview with an employment services provider
- assistance with the development of a resume and upload of that resume to the Australian JobSearch website
- information on local employment opportunities
- access to JobSearch computer facilities in employment service provider offices and Centrelink
- information on skills development training through the Productivity Places Program.
These services will be provided for 13 weeks, after which time you may choose to re-register for further assistance.
You can approach a Job Services Australia provider directly or contact Centrelink for more information. More information about Job Services Australia, including a list of providers in your area, is available on the Job Services Australia site:
For more information, contact Centrelink on 13 28 50 or click on the following link to go to their website:
As a mature age job seeker not on income support, whether retired or not, you also have access to private recruitment firms, many of which provide services free of charge to job seekers.
A list of private recruitment firms that specialise in assisting mature age people into employment is available by following the link below.
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I want to start my own business. What assistance is available to mature age people?
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) helps eligible unemployed people to start and run their new, viable small business. NEIS provides training in small business management and business skills, and business plan development.
For more information on NEIS, including eligibility criteria, click on the following link:
I am an Age Pensioner who wants to return to work. What assistance is available to me?
As part of Job Services Australia, Age Pensioners can access the following assistance:
- an interview with an employment service provider
- assistance with the development of a resume and upload of that resume to the Australian JobSearch website
- information on local employment opportunities
- access to JobSearch computer facilities in employment service provider offices and Centrelink
- information on free skills development training through the Productivity Places Program.
More information about Job Services Australia is available at:
Alternatively, you may wish to contact Centrelink on 13 28 50 or click on the following link to go to their web site:
As an Aged Pensioner you also have access to private recruitment firms, many of which provide services free of charge to job seekers. You will find a list of private recruitment firms that specialise in assisting mature age job seeker, including Age Pensioners, by clicking on the link below.
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How do I find information on mature age apprenticeships?
Australian Apprenticeships is a national initiative that involves the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments and Registered Training Organisations. Australian Apprenticeships combine training and employment and lead to a nationally recognised qualification. They are available to anyone of working age and do not require any entry qualifications. You can be a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or simply wishing to change careers. Australian Apprenticeships are available in a variety of certificate levels in more than 500 occupations across Australia, in traditional trades, as well as a diverse range of emerging careers in most sectors of business and industry.
Under the Mature Age Worker Incentive Scheme, an employer of a mature age worker may attract a special $750 Mature Aged Worker Commencement Incentive and an $750 Mature Aged Worker Completion Incentive.
The Australian Apprenticeships Access Program (the Access Program) provides job seekers with pre vocational training, support and assistance to obtain and maintain an Australian Apprenticeship. The priority of the Access Program is to obtain Australian Apprenticeship outcomes. Other secondary outcomes are employment and further education or training. The training provided through the Access Program is nationally recognised under the Australian Quality Training Framework, is based on labour market needs, and is linked to an Australian Apprenticeship pathway.
I am living outside Australia, what resources are available to help a mature age person find work in Australia?
Jobs that are listed on JobSearch, one of Australia’s largest online employment websites, are available to Australian residents and non residents who have been granted specific visas. Information about employment opportunities in the different states and territories of Australia can be accessed by through JobSearch:
You may also be interested in visiting the Workplace migrant section that contains information for migrants about obtaining work in Australia.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for an income support payment. For further information or to test your eligibility for income support, contact Centrelink International Services. A list of international numbers can be found by clicking on the following link:
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