jobactive—help for volunteer job seekers

jobactive is the Australian Government’s way to get more Australians into work. It connects job seekers with employers and is delivered by a network of jobactive providers in over 1700 locations across Australia.

Many job seekers who receiveincome support payments are required to use jobactive services to find work. Job seekers who are not required to use jobactivemay be able toaccess jobactive services as volunteers.

Volunteer job seekerscan access jobactive employment services for up to six months.

Am I eligible to volunteer for jobactive?

You may be eligibleto be a volunteer job seeker if you:

  • receive income support such as the Parenting Payment (with a youngest child aged under six), Carer Payment, Age Pension or Sickness Allowance
  • receive the Disability Support Pension or Special Benefit and do not have participation requirements
  • study full-time as part of anapprenticeship or traineeship.

You can also volunteer for jobactive if you do not get income support, provided you are not:

  • a full-time student
  • in paid employment for 15 hours or more per week
  • an overseas visitor on a working
    holiday visa
  • an overseas student studying in
    Australia
  • prohibited by law from working
    in Australia.

What help can I get?

Eligible volunteer job seekers can get help from a local jobactive provider to

  • write a résumé
  • look for work
  • prepare for interviews
  • understand the skills that local
    employers need
  • use self-help facilities
  • find and keep a job.

If you want to start and run a new small business, you may also be eligible to participate in the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS). For more information, see the jobactive—helping you to start a new small business fact sheet atwww.employment.gov.au/jobactive.

You can also look for jobs and access online serviceson the jobactive website at www.jobactive.gov.auor the free Job Seeker JobSearch app (available from iTunes and Google Play).
The Career Quiz App can also help you find out about the types of work that might suit you as well as useful information like how many people are employed in certain industries and what they earn. You can download the Career Quiz from your app store or go to www.joboutlook.gov.au/careerquiz.

How do I volunteer for jobactive?

  • Call the Employment Services Information Line on 13 62 68* to find out if you are eligible to be a volunteer job seeker.
  • Find your local jobactive provider at www.jobactive.gov.au and ask about registering directly with them.

Expectations for service delivery

The Australian Government expects jobactive providers to deliver quality services to job seekers and employers.

Service Guarantees setting out provider service requirements can be found at www.employment.gov.au.

jobactive providers must display the Service Guarantees and their service delivery plans in their offices and make them available to job seekers and employers. Their plans are also published at www.jobsearch.gov.au.

Want more information?

  • Go to www.employment.gov.au/jobactive
  • Call the Employment Services Information Line on 13 62 68*
  • If you are already registered with jobactive or Disability Employment Services you can talk to your provider
  • Search for a local jobactive provider at www.jobactive.gov.au.

Do you need help with this fact sheet?

If you need an interpreter, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450* and ask for 136268*.

If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service. For more information, visit *.

*Note that call charges apply for calls to ‘13’ numbers from mobile phones.