Work for the Dole

Work for the Dole is an Australian government employment programme that provides work experience for unemployed people.

Work for the Dole provides:

• Structured activities to improve participants' employment prospects and vocational skills, and encourage more active and effective participation in the workplace

• Activities that involve local communities, and provide value for money to the Australian Government

• Work experience to enhance a participants' ability to work as part of a team, take directions from a supervisor, work independently, communicate effectively, and be motivated and dependable

• Flexible work experience opportunities for mutual obligation and voluntary participants and participants with barriers to employment, to help them to re-engage with their community and workplace.

 

Activities can involve:

• Caring for people (eg. community centres, kindergartens, preschools, schools and aged care facilities)

• Caring for the environment (eg. building picnic areas, walking trails, revegetation)

• Caring for the community (eg. supporting charities with a diverse range of tasks)

• Caring for our heritage (eg. restoration work, recording local history)

 

Benefits to participants:

• Income support payment each fortnight from Centrelink

• Additional assistance to help meet costs incurred in participating (eg. childcare, transport)

• Protective clothing provided

• Training credits of up to $800 to pay for accredited training to help improve a participants' job prospects

• Valuable work experience

• Exposure to work in areas where skills are in demand

• Wider networks that open up opportunities

 

HESL can assist Work for the Dole participants in the Ovens, Goulburn Valley, Hume, Kiewa and Central Murrumbidgee Employment Service Areas (see our locations map for area details). These services are delivered from our Wangaratta, Seymour, Shepparton, Benalla, Myrtleford, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Wodonga, Echuca and Yarrawonga offices.

Our friendly and professional staff will ensure that your personal information is treated confidentially, and we deliver these services in accordance with the CWC Services Guarantee and the Employment Services Code of Practice. Current Work for the Dole Activities Coordinated by HESL can be found on http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/ProviderLocation.aspx?ProviderType=WFD&  For more information please contact us.

This information has been adapted from the Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations booklet - "Your guide to Work for the Dole and Community Work"