Assistance to help people return to work or upgrade their skills

The Mid-Career Checkpoint assists people who have taken time out of the workforce to care for their families and are looking to rejoin the paid workforce or advance their careers. It is also available to existing workers in COVID-19 affected, female dominated industries.

Overview

The Mid-Career Checkpoint is operating as a pilot program in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

Participants receive a free skills and employment assessment, tailored career advice and coaching sessions.

All participants receive a customised Skills, Training and Employment Plan (STEP) that details their employment goals and identifies their attributes, skills and qualifications, as well as any skills gaps.

Where a participant’s STEP recommends specific training to upskill or re-skill, up to $3,000 is available to support that training.

The program has 3 entry points:

• ‘Stepping Up’ supports carers who have recently returned to the paid workforce with access to advice on advancing or changing their career.
• ‘Stepping Back In’ supports carers who are looking to get back into the paid workforce by providing access to skills and employment assessment services and advice on re-entry into the workforce, including suggestions for professional and skills development.
• You can also access the program through a general entry point if you are an existing worker in a designated industry – that is a female-dominated, COVID-19 affected industry where women (in particular) are at risk of unemployment.

Designated industries are:

• accommodation and food services
• education and training
• arts and recreation services
• retail trade
• administrative and support services
• residential care services
• child care services.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To be eligible, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and:

• live in NSW, Victoria, or QLD
•  have been out of the paid workforce for six months or more while undertaking caring responsibilities and  
• are looking to return to work or advance your career or
• have recently returned to work after being out of the paid workforce while undertaking caring responsibilities or,
• are an existing worker in a designated industry. Please see above list of industries.

How do you apply?

For more information on eligibility and how to apply at Mid-Career Checkpoint Program.