Funding and support to help women return to work
Funding to help women to prepare, find and maintain employment, giving them better financial independence.
ACT Women’s Return to Work grant
Women can get the training and education they need to develop job search skills. It also provides access to resources to support their return to work.
All grant recipients will also get access to a one-on-one mentor. They help link women to education and training opportunities, as well as employment pathways.
Application closing date
Open all year.
Funding amount
Up to $1,000.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligible criteria. Eligibility criteria are the set of rules that tell you who we consider for the grant. Learn:
- who can apply
- what you can use the funds for.
Who can apply
You must use the funding for training and job readiness skills which help you get paid work.
You can't only take hobby type courses if you'll use the course to find work. For example, a food safety course if your hobby is cake decorating.
Training must:
- increase work-related skills
- improve future job prospects
- prepare you for re-entry to the workforce
- prepare you for personal business development and implementation.
The courses must be:
- accredited
- industry specific or non-specific
- module/s of an accredited course.
Other professional costs you can spend the fund on may include:
- professional licensing or registration
- work with vulnerable people checks or police checks.
What you can use the funds for
You can use the grant to cover the costs of the following:
- accredited training
- training related costs, such as childcare with a registered childcare provider while undertaking the training
- support materials required for the course such as purchase of textbooks
- part payment of Commonwealth Supported Student Contribution Scheme (HECS - HELP) fees for any new university course of study undertaken
- other items which the CSD may approve if related to returning to work, such as clothing
- transport, internet, computers
- career coaching
- personal business development strategies
- childcare costs, however you're responsible for arranging your childcare and must be with a registered childcare provider.
Apply for the ACT Women's Return to Work grant
Before you apply:
- Read and understand the program requirement on this page.
- Prepare your application and collect any supporting documents.
What happens next
Wait for the assessment committee to review your application and send their response.
If you're successful
We'll call you to let you know. At the same time, we'll organise an interview time to develop your return to work plan. We'll also ask you to send all your supporting evidence documents. If you are not eligible, you will be advised by mail.
You’ll have your interview to work out your return to work plan.
After your interview we'll send you a Letter of Offer that you must read and agree to. You’ll also get financial paperwork, information about the acquittal process and a survey.
The funds will be sent to your nominated bank account. You should make a record of when you get the funds.
You must:
- make all payments yourself
- spend the funds within 6 months
- keep all receipts, as you'll need to send them to us as part of your reporting and acquittal requirements.
If you have any left-over funds contact the grants coordinator to work out how best to use them up.
Acquittal
An acquittal is a signed declaration, submitted at the end of the activity, stating that the funds were used for the cost of things agreed to in your Letter of Offer.
This process includes providing copies of receipts as proof of expenditure.
The acquittal process requires you to:
- collect receipts for everything spent
- send the receipts to us using the acquittal form.
You must complete this process within 6 months from your Letter of Offer. You can find more details about the acquittal process in your return to work package.
Please note that all receipts must be from a credible source and have an ABN number.
For reference you can upload receipts online using the RTW Acquittal form.
Further guidance
Document to support application
Evidence of living in the ACT. These must show evidence of more than 3 months residency. You can use:
- Driver’s Licence
- Lease
- Utility Bill
- Bank Statement
- Centrelink Statement
- Support Letter from Support Worker.
Evidence of identity with photo ID such as:
- Driver’s Licence
- Proof of Age Card
- Passport.
Evidence of Family income such as:
- Centrelink Concession Card
- Pension Card
- Carer’s Card
- Access Card
- Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
- Payslips for past 4 weeks Support Letter from Support Worker.
Special Consideration which could be a:
- Support letter from Social Worker/Case Manager outlining your circumstances and their support for your application.
Return to work plan
The grant coordinator will interview you to help you design a return to work plan. The interview can take place face to face, by phone or by other means.
To help you achieve your desired employment goal they'll work out the best training based on your:
- skills
- interests
- life goals
- values.
In the plan you'll divide your expenditure items and costs. We'll then list them out in your Letter of Offer and Agreement.
Grant conditions
You can only apply for one grant through the Women’s Return to Work Grant Program.
You can only use the grant on items and activities specified on your return to work plan.
If you need to change how you'll spend the fund after receiving the Letter of Offer and Agreement, you will need to get a written approval. This will be by a Letter of Variation from the Grants Coordinator.
You can use it for more than one course.
Past grant recipients
You can find past grant recipients in Community Services Directorate's annual reports.