Apply for ACT Women’s Return to Work Grant (Australia)

Deadline: 30-Jun-2027

The ACT Women’s Return to Work Grant provides financial assistance to women with low or no income in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounding regions who are preparing to return to work or secure stable employment. Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,000, while eligible women in or leaving the Alexander Maconochie Centre can receive up to $2,000 for approved employment-related expenses. What Is the ACT Women’s Return to Work Grant? The ACT Women’s Return to Work Grant is designed to help women overcome financial barriers that can make it difficult to enter or re-enter paid employment.

The program supports women who are:

- Unemployed - Underemployed - Working in low-paying jobs - Preparing to return to the workforce - Seeking more stable employment - In or leaving the Alexander Maconochie Centre The grant aims to improve access to employment-related resources and help recipients achieve greater financial independence through paid work. How Much Funding Is Available?

Eligible women can receive:

- Up to $1,000 for approved employment-related expenses. - Up to $2,000 for eligible women who are in or leaving the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Funding is intended to address practical costs that may otherwise prevent an applicant from obtaining employment or completing the steps needed to enter the workforce. Individual expenses are subject to specific spending limits and conditions under the program’s item limits. What Can the Grant Be Used For? The grant can support a range of costs directly connected to returning to work or securing employment.

Eligible expenses can include:

- Accredited training or course fees - Study materials - Work clothing - Interview clothing - Transport costs - Digital devices - Digital plans - Childcare costs - Working with Vulnerable People registration - Police checks - First aid training - Other approved job-readiness expenses Applicants should ensure that each requested expense meets the relevant spending limit and program conditions. Training and Course Costs The grant can help eligible applicants meet costs associated with accredited training or courses that support their employment plans. Applicants requesting course-related funding must provide proof of enrolment. The proposed course should have a clear connection to the applicant’s realistic plan to obtain employment. Work and Interview Clothing Appropriate clothing can be an important practical requirement when applying for or starting a job. The grant can contribute toward eligible work or interview clothing, subject to the applicable item limits and conditions. Applicants should explain how the requested clothing will support their employment plans. Transport Support Transport costs may be eligible where they are directly related to the applicant’s employment or job-seeking activities.

This can help applicants attend:

- Job interviews - Training - Work - Other employment-related activities The expense must comply with the program’s applicable spending conditions. Digital Devices and Plans Digital access can be important for job searching, communication with employers, online training, and workplace activities. The grant can support eligible digital devices and plans where they are connected to the applicant’s return-to-work or employment plan. Childcare Costs Childcare expenses can create a significant barrier to employment for people with caring responsibilities. Eligible childcare costs may therefore be supported where they help the applicant participate in employment, training, interviews, or other activities necessary to secure work. Job Readiness Expenses The grant can also help applicants meet certain requirements needed to become employment-ready.

Examples include:

- Working with Vulnerable People registration - Police checks - First aid training These expenses can be particularly relevant to applicants seeking work in sectors where specific registrations, checks, or certifications are required. Who Is Eligible to Apply? Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

They must:

- Identify as a woman. - Be 19 years or older, unless younger and financially independent. - Live in the ACT or a nearby region. - Plan to work in the ACT or nearby region. - Have the legal right to work in Australia. - Have low or no income. - Have a clear and realistic plan to secure employment. - Intend to obtain employment within six months or after completing an eligible course. The program recognizes women who identify as women, including cisgender women, transgender women, and non-binary people who identify as women. What Does Low or No Income Mean? Applicants need to demonstrate that they have low or no income.

Examples can include people who:

- Are unemployed. - Work only a small number of hours. - Earn less than $1,400 per week. - Have accepted a new job but have not yet received their first payment. Applicants should provide appropriate evidence demonstrating their current income circumstances. Can Women in or Leaving the Alexander Maconochie Centre Apply? Yes. Women who are in or leaving the Alexander Maconochie Centre may be eligible for enhanced funding of up to $2,000. This higher funding limit recognizes the additional barriers that may affect women transitioning from the centre into employment and community life. Who Is Not Eligible?

Applicants may be ineligible if they:

- Have already received a Return to Work Grant. - Are currently on maternity leave or another form of leave. - Do not meet the residency requirements. - Do not have the legal right to work in Australia. - Do not have a realistic employment or training plan. - Do not meet the program’s low- or no-income requirements. Special consideration may be available in some circumstances, including certain situations involving leave. What Is a Return-to-Work Plan? Applicants should have a clear and realistic plan showing how the requested support will help them secure employment. A strong plan should explai