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Funding and support to help women return to work

Find out how to apply for the ACT Women’s Return to Work grant. The grant helps fund courses to build your work skills and includes support to find a job.

ACT Women’s Return to Work grant

This grant helps women get the support they need to re-enter the workforce.

The grant can be used for:

  • courses
  • resources for study
  • work clothing.

Grant recipients also get a one-on-one mentoring session that offers:

  • links to education and training opportunities
  • employment support.

Who this is for

This grant is for women who have been out of the workforce for 6 months or more.

What you get

A grant of up to $1,000.

Check if you can apply

You can apply if you:

  • have not received the grant before
  • are at least 18 years of age
  • have been out of the workforce for 6 months or more
  • are not employed or haven't worked for more than 4 months in the past 12
  • are not on maternity or other leave
  • plan to return to paid work within the next 12 months
  • have lived in the ACT for more than 3 months
  • are eligible for a Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card.

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

What you can do

You can use the funds for:

  • accredited training
  • course materials such as textbooks
  • work and interview clothing
  • transport
  • a computer, smartphone or internet
  • childcare costs, if with a registered childcare provider
  • job readiness training such as Responsible Service of Alcohol or First Aid Certificate
  • professional licensing or registration
  • Working with Vulnerable People Card or police checks.

Training must:

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

Before you apply

  1. Read the 2024 grant guidelines [PDF 284 kB].
  2. Check what you'll need to apply.

What you'll need to apply

You'll need to give us evidence of:

  • living in the ACT for more than 3 months
  • your identity
  • your income.

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

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

  • your circumstances
  • their support for your application.

Living in the ACT

You'll need evidence of living in the ACT for more than 3 months. You can use a:

  • driver licence
  • lease
  • utility bill
  • bank statement
  • Centrelink statement
  • letter from support worker.

Proof of identity

You'll need evidence of identity with photo ID such as a:

  • driver licence
  • Proof of Age Card
  • passport.

Evidence of income

You'll need evidence of family income such as a:

  • Centrelink Concession Card
  • Pension Card
  • Carer’s Card
  • Access Card
  • Centrelink Low Income Health Care Card
  • payslips for the past 4 weeks.

Apply

To apply online:

  1. prepare your evidence and other documents
  2. follow the instructions to complete your application.

Apply now

After you apply

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

Assessing your application

We'll assess your application against the criteria.

If you're not eligible we'll send you an email to let you know. If we advise that you're 'pre return to work' you can reapply when you're ready to return to the workforce.

Find out about our free workshops for women looking to return to the work.

If you get the grant 

We'll organise a face-to-face meeting to:

  • give you mentoring
  • develop your return to work plan.

After the meeting we'll email you a Letter of Offer that you must read and agree to. The letter explains all the terms and conditions of the grant.

You’ll also get:

  • a copy of your work plan
  • information about the acquittal process
  • a survey.

Return to work plan

We'll work together to meet your employment goals based on your:

  • skills
  • interests
  • life goals
  • values.

Your return to work plan will list:

  • your goals
  • the items and activities that you would like to do.

If you need to change your plan after receiving the Letter of Offer, you'll need to get written approval. if approved, a new Letter of Offer will be sent to you.

Getting the funds

The funds will be sent to your bank account. You can only use the funds on items and activities in your agreed return to work plan.

You must:

  • make all payments yourself
  • spend the funds within 6 months
  • keep all receipts.

Past recipients

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

Contact us

Return to Work program

If you need help or have questions, contact us.

Email
CSDRTW@act.gov.au