Hi everyone
My youngest is turning 8 soon and Centrelink is changing me onto Newstart which does not bother me. My question is am I able to get help with training and possible jobs. I apply for so many jobs everyday and if I do get a response it is a rejection letter. I want to work but due to my oldest daughter going through so much therapy for mental illness it is difficult. As I have no support network I am the one who needs to get her to various appointments.
This is a place where women from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs come together to support one another judgement free.
3 Replies
You'll get a job seeker consultant from one of the government agencies. They'll help you fix up your résumé, apply for jobs on your behalf and get you into training programs in your desired field (the fees are usually government subsidized too).
They'll go over all of this with you at your first appointment.
Also, if your daughters needs are quite demanding, would you be eligible to become her carer? Might be worth looking into.
Yes you will get help. Also look into if you qualify for carers payment and carers allowance instead of Newstart. Cebtrelink will never suggest you might qualify so you need to do the research yourself.
Also look into if you qualify for any assistance through the NDIS. You might find if you get a job they can find someone to take her to appointments (if you don't need to be there).
New start is horrible, I had always worked but found myself unemployed and with all teenagers I was put on New start. I did not survive well at all on it, studying was not an option because I needed to work to stop drowning in bills 🙁 My job seeker place was shocking, so not helpful to me at all. It's basically just a centre link office, nobody was enthusiastic or positive about actually finding people work they just treated appointments and training like it was a centre link exercise and if you didn't do it you get your payment cut. Which is true, but it would have been nice if they explained to people the jobs they might get from such training etc. Hopefully you find a more upbeat one. And know that you can ask them for help financially to get to interviews,
clothes etc. When I found work I was still expected to put hours in and attend appointments even though I was not eligible for any payment. I just didn't bother with any of it, I was so glad to be done with New start. I completely agree with parents of older kids looking for work, but the amount you get should not drop, and you should still get to keep the pension card.
It's just a cruel blow to single parents who are genuinely unemployed and it's the kids that suffer.