Help in your area

Losing your job can be a difficult experience with many issues to consider. This page provides information for retrenched workers on the support and services available to them.

Services for retrenched workers

Services Australia – Centrelink

For support while you look for work, visit the retrenched workers website.

For a list of Centrelink Customer Service Centres in your area, visit the Payment and Service Finder website.

Workforce Australia

All retrenched workers and their partners have immediate access to tailored employment services before becoming eligible for income support. Workforce Australia can provide you with tailored help to find a job and is delivered by Workforce Australia providers located around Australia.

The help available includes:

  • help looking for work, writing a résumé and preparing for interviews
  • referrals to jobs in your local area
  • training that is suited to the skills that local employers need
  • case management so that you are ready to take up and keep a job

For more information on the services available through Workforce Australia and to find your local provider, go to Workforce Australia

To view a factsheet on the support available for retrenched workers, visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website.

For more information, including a full listing of Workforce Australia providers in your area:

Employment Facilitators

Employment Facilitators are an on-the-ground presence that work with retrenched workers to connect them with job opportunities, training and other existing services.

Employment Facilitators support the delivery of the Local Jobs Program across 51 Employment Regions. The program brings together expertise, resources and access to funding at the local level to focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways for people in each region.

For more information visit the Employment Facilitators website or contact an Employment Facilitator in your area to find out how they can help you.

New South Wales Government retrenched worker assistance

The NSW Government offers retrenched workers with training assistance. To find out more visit the Training Services NSW website.

Victorian Government retrenched worker assistance

The Victorian Government also offers support to assist retrenched workers back into work or education:

Skills and Jobs Centres

Based in TAFEs across Victoria, Skills and Jobs Centres provide expert advice on training and employment opportunities, including careers advice, help with job searching and assistance preparing résumés. To find your nearest centre, visit the Skills and Jobs Centres website.

Queensland Government retrenched worker assistance

Queensland Skills Gateway

Visit the Queensland Skills Gateway to find a training course, training provider, occupation information and check what training is government subsidised.

South Australian Government retrenched worker assistance

Skills and Employment Infoline

The South Australian Government has a Skilled Careers website to help you find information on careers, jobs and training:

Western Australian Government retrenched worker assistance

Jobs and Skills Centres

Western Australia's TAFE Jobs and Skills Centres are one-stop shops for careers, training and employment advice and assistance. Services are free, and accessible to all members of the community. The centres are located on TAFE campuses, with additional outreach locations for regional areas.

Each of the centres can provide free professional and practical advice on training and employment opportunities including careers advice, apprenticeship and training information.

Tasmanian Government retrenched worker assistance

Rapid Response Skills Initiative

The Tasmanian Government provides financial support for training to people who have lost their jobs because they have been made redundant, the place they worked has closed or had to let staff go.

For more information: