Assistance to help people return to work or upgrade their skills
Mid-Career Checkpoint ProgramLast Updated: 15 March 2022
Mid-Career Checkpoint Program
Applications may be made at any time.
What you get?
A skills and employment assessment and $3,000 ex GST to support any training requirements.
Who is this for?
Eligible carers that have been out of the workforce for 6 months or more.
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.