Work for the Dole is available for participants aged 18 years and over in Workforce Australia Services. It is a work experience program that offers participants the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities, contribute to their local community and build skills to help find secure work.
Work for the Dole activities provide work-like experiences and are run by host organisations.
While participating in Work for the Dole activities, participants may have the opportunity to develop core competencies, attain a licence, qualification or other recognised skill.
Participants will continue to receive income support and assistance from their Workforce Australia Employment Services provider while undertaking Work for the Dole activities.
Time commitment
The amount of time you spend doing Work for the Dole depends on the clients circumstances.
- 15 to 30 hours per fortnight: for individuals aged 60 years and over, or with part-time mutual obligation requirements with Centrelink (Parents, people with a disability etc)
- 30 to 50 hours per fortnight: for individuals aged 18 to 59 years, with full-time mutual obligation requirements.
If you are doing Work for the Dole as a mandatory activity, you need to participate for at least 8 weeks at Maddy & Co to meet your activation requirement.
Talk to your provider about how many hours you need to do and for how long.
Types of activities:
There are 2 types of Work for the Dole activities.
Placements
Placements are for one or more participants. You’ll do work-like activities within an organisation. For example:
- retail work in an op shop
- maintaining the gardens at a neighbourhood centre.
Projects
Projects are for groups of participants. You’ll work as part of a team on work-like activities for the community. For example, a project could be:
- restoring a community garden area
- preparing for a cultural festival.
Your provider and Maddy & Co will place you in a suitable and safe Work for the Dole activity. They’ll make sure you do any required training or safety checks before you start. Learn more about keeping safe at a Work for the Dole activity.
Indigenous-specific activities
These can be placements or projects that:
- have an Indigenous host organisation
- benefit an Indigenous community
- have links to community goals
- support meaningful career pathways for Indigenous participants.
You don’t need to be an Indigenous participant to take part in these activities. Talk to Maddy & Co or your provider about Indigenous-specific activities in your area.
Financial support
Work for the Dole isn’t employment, and you won’t get paid to participate. You’ll continue to get your Centrelink payment and support from us and your provider.
You can also receive an Approved Program of Work Supplement of $20.80 per fortnight while you’re doing Work for the Dole. This is to help with things like travel costs.
Talk to Maddy & Co or your Provider For more information about Work for the Dole. We can review your eligibility, your mutual obligation requirements and your individual circumstances.
Maddy & Co can also let you know about the Work for the Dole activities in your area.
Call now to check out what services and work experience we can offer!