Getting Help While Unemployed

If you are without a job in Australia there are a number of ways to get help. There are services that can help you financially through the situation, counselling services that can help you prepare for the job seeking needs and even retraining programs that can help you get new skills to get into a new career.

All of these programs are available to job seekers in Australia, as long as you know how to access them.

There are even loans for unemployed Australians to assist with certain essential household needs or living expenses.

Financial Help
If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident living in Australia for at least 2 years, you initially have access to a number of welfare services that can help you get through the financial hardship of being unemployed.

 
First there is the Newstart Allowance, essentially unemployment benefits for you while you perform activities relating to finding a job. You must be at least 22 years old and actively looking for work. You will also need to meet a number of other criteria including an income and asset test to receive the allowance. You income must be less than $100 per fortnight. The asset test limit depends on your age, marital status and full asset profile. The limit ranges from $200,000 to over $1,000,000. The Newstart Allowance pays at a maximum between $468 and $725 per fortnight depending on your personal situation.

If you are between 16 and 22 years of age you can apply for the Youth Allowance while you attend school, while living at home or while looking for work. The maximum per fortnight payment range for the Youth Allowance is $233 to $725. The allowance is subject to similar eligibility criteria as the Newstart Allowance.

There are also a number of programs for those in educational or training studies. They include the Austudy and ABSTUDY programs for education and apprenticeships as well as the Pensioner Education Supplement and the Education Entry Payment.

The Jobs, Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance program helps those parents that are seeking a job with help covering expenses for child care. There are also programs that help job seekers with a disability.

If you need financial aid in Australia, there are many services to help you search for a job and recover from the situation.

Job Search Help
Part of the process of getting back on your feet when you lose your job or during your first lifetime job search is getting the support, guidance and help that you need to succeed. The Australian government through the Centrelink local agencies provide this help to all job seekers throughout the country. You can find your local Centrelink centre by looking here.

 
These centres not only help you financially but are job search help centres that also provide help in all aspects of the job search. With a professional job search councillor to help you prepare your resume and cover letter, as well as helping you find jobs within your experience and skill levels. These councillors will also help you in preparing for the interview.

The Australian government provides comprehensive help when you are unemployed to help you get back to work.