Funding and support to help women return to work

ACT Women’s Return to Work grant

This grant helps women with low income overcome barriers to employment. It supports women to build independence through paid work.

The grant can be used for:

• course fees
• resources for study
• work and interview clothing and shoes
• transport costs
• digital devices and plans
• childcare costs
• job readiness costs (like a Working with Vulnerable People registration).

Who this is for

This grant is for women with no or low income who want to find steady jobs.

What you get

A grant of up to:

• $1,000 for eligible women
• $2,000 for women in or leaving the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).

When you can apply

You can apply when the Return to Work grants are open.

Check if you can apply

You can apply if you meet all these conditions:

• identify as a woman (including cisgender, transgender, and non-binary people who identify as women)
• are 19 years or older, or younger if you support yourself financially
• live in the ACT or nearby areas (like Queanbeyan, Googong, Bungendore or Yass)
• plan to work in the ACT or nearby areas
• have the legal right to work in Australia
• have a clear and realistic plan to get a job within 6 months or after finishing a course.

You must also have a low or no income. You must meet one of these conditions:

• you are unemployed
• you are working only a few hours
• you are in a low-paying job (earning less than $948.00 per week, which is the national minimum wage)
• you have accepted a new job but haven’t been paid yet.

You cannot apply if you:

• have already received a Return to Work Grant
• are on maternity leave or other leave (paid or unpaid).

If you don't meet all the criteria you can apply for special consideration.

What the grant can pay for

You can use the funds for:

• accredited training or course fees
• study materials such as textbooks
• work and interview clothing and shoes
• transport to work or study
• a computer, smartphone or internet for job searching or study
• childcare costs while working or studying
• job readiness costs like Working with Vulnerable People registration, police checks or first aid training.

Training must:

• increase work skills
• help you get paid work
• prepare you for re-entry to the workforce.

Each item has a spending limit. Find the item limits in: Return to Work Grants – Item Limits and Conditions [PDF 99KB]

You cannot use the funds for:

• items not related to returning to work
• items already paid for
• furniture, household goods or health-related items
• starting a business or self-employment costs.

Before you apply

1. Read the 2025-26 grant guidelines [PDF 475KB].
2. Check what you'll need to apply.

What you'll need to apply

You will need to give us evidence of:

• living in the ACT or nearby areas (Queanbeyan, Googong, Bungendore or Yass)
• your identity
• your income.

To use the funds for a course, you will also need an enrolment email or letter from the study institution.

For special consideration you will need a support letter from your social worker or case manager. The letter should outline:

• your circumstances
• their support for your application.

After you apply

We'll assess your application and let you know the result in around 4 weeks.

Past recipients

You can find past grant recipients in Community Services Directorate's annual reports.

Contact us