If you're looking for work
Need a job, better pay or more hours? These resources may help.
Job sites to try
Whether you want to apply for work in the public sector or volunteer, find the role you’re looking for on the NSW Government’s jobs site.
Australian Public Service jobs
Search for full-time, part-time and temporary roles with the Australian Public Service, or register to receive notifications for jobs that interest you.
Search thousands of jobs in Australia and overseas, read up on strategies to succeed in the office and explore company profiles to find the right workplace for you.
Search and apply for jobs or work experience opportunities on Workforce Australia, a free Australian Government site with thousands of listings. It also has programs and help for parents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, young people and those aged over 45.
LinkedIn can help you connect with other people in your industry, look for jobs, and be found by employers and recruiters. Make sure your profile is complete and up to date.
Career advice
TAFE NSW offers personalised support and free counselling about education and careers. They can help you clarify your goals, find a course that meets your needs, identify obstacles you may be facing – and help you to deal with them.
Find study, training or job options that support your career goals. Understand various industries, average salaries and future demand for your areas of interest.
Use this tool to explore jobs you could move into next. It shows common career moves and the training or qualifications you may need.
What's Next? helps you decide what to do if you've been retrenched or are looking for a new career. There’s advice on finding a job, understanding your finances, getting training and looking after yourself.
Help with job seeking and skill development
JobAccess brings together information and resources to help people with a disability, injury or health condition find work. Employers can learn more about funding for workplace modifications and how to create a flexible workplace.
Finding a job can be tough, especially if you’re new to the process. Employment Plus can help Centrelink-registered job seekers find work, write resumes, help with interview techniques and more.
Wise Employment is a not-for-profit employment services provider. They can help if you’re having difficulty finding work due to disability, illness, long-term unemployment or any other reason.
If you’re a mature-age worker, not yet reached the Aged Pension age, on income support or living with a treated illness, injury or disability, CoAct can help you find work.
Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)
The SEE program offers free training to help you improve your reading, writing, maths and digital skills so you can find a job, build confidence or move into further study.
Help to start or grow a business
Thinking of starting your own business? This free program can help you turn your business idea or existing small business into a viable business. Choose the level of support that meets your needs.
If you do gig work or multiple jobs
If you do gig work or have multiple jobs, it’s important to understand your employment rights and how to manage your tax. This will help make sure you are paid properly and don’t get surprised by big tax bills.
Manage your tax when working 2 jobs
If you have more than one job, you may not be paying enough tax during the year. To lower the risk of a tax bill, only claim the tax-free threshold from your highest-paying job. You can ask your other employer to take out more tax.
ATO – Income from more than one job
The ATO explains how and when to claim the tax-free threshold and how tax works if you have more than one job.
ATO – Pay as you go (PAYG) instalments
You may need to pay tax during the year if you earn extra income from gig work, contracting, your own business or investments. PAYG instalments can help you spread these tax payments across the year.
Know your rights in the gig economy
The on-demand workforce can offer lots of opportunities to earn extra money. It is important to understand your rights and responsibilities.
The Australian Government's business website helps you understand the differences between employees and contractors. It also tells you who to contact if you think your employer is treating you as a contractor instead of an employee.
Contractor rights and protections
It’s common for gig economy platforms to regard their workers as independent contractors, not employees. However, it’s the nature of the relationship that matters, not what they call the arrangement. Learn more about contractor rights and protections.
Fair Work – help for independent contractors
The Fair Work Ombudsman can help you understand the different rights and obligations that apply to employees and independent contractors. Find out what to do if you think you've been misclassified.
If you take on gig economy work such as private transport, meal delivery or task-based services, you will most likely need an Australian business number.
Manage your tax when doing gig work
ATO – The sharing economy and tax
The ATO explains what activities are part of the gig economy, and how to determine their impact on your super and tax.
ATO – tax and super obligations
Learn about the main tax and super obligations a business has when you're working for them as a contractor.
Working for a ride-sourcing or lift-sharing app? The ATO explains the different taxes that will apply to your income.
If you are providing ridesharing services or have a turnover of more than $75,000 a year, check whether you need to register for the Goods and Services Tax.
Small business courses and webinars
The ATO offers free flexible online learning resources for small businesses. The range of courses are designed to help businesses through every stage of their lifecycle. It includes a short course on how to set up a ride-sourcing business.
If you’re a young person starting work
If you’re a young person starting work, looking for your first job, or thinking about study or training, these services can help.
Transition to Work helps some young people aged 15 to 24 get ready for work, training or study.
School Leavers Information Kit
The School Leavers Information Kit helps young people explore study, training and work options after school.
Get Back in the Game helps some young people aged 15 to 21 get back into study, training or work.
If you’re doing training or study
Training and study can be expensive. Find low-cost study options and what financial help you can get if you’re an apprentice or trainee.
Financial help to do training or study
Find help with training, study and learning new skills for work.
NSW Fee-Free can help eligible people do training at no cost in areas where jobs are growing. You can gain skills and qualifications without paying course fees.
Smart and Skilled offers low‑cost and free training to help you gain skills and qualifications to find a job or advance your career. It includes information on apprenticeships, traineeships and job‑ready courses.
Fee-free scholarships help some eligible people to do training without paying course fees. They are available through Smart and Skilled for some young people, people who are or have been in out-of-home care, and people affected by domestic and family violence.
The relocation scholarship is a once-a-year payment if you get ABSTUDY or Youth Allowance and need to move to or from a regional or remote area for higher education study.
Help if you’re an apprentice or trainee
If you are an apprentice or trainee, you may be able to get help with fees, travel and other costs.
Apprenticeships and traineeships in NSW can be fee-free. There are also free pre-apprenticeship and pre-traineeship options to help you get started.
Transport Concession Entitlement Card
Apprentices and trainees may be able to get cheaper public transport in NSW using a concession card, helping reduce the cost of travel for work or training.
VTAS travel and accommodation allowance
Some apprentices and trainees can apply to the Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS) for help with travel and accommodation costs.
Apprentice vehicle registration rebate
If you’re an apprentice in NSW you can apply for a vehicle registration rebate.
Continuing Apprentices and Trainees Placement Service (CAPS)
If you are an apprentice or trainee and lose your job, CAPS can help you keep training and look for a new employer.
Help with travel and moving for work
You may be able to get help if you need to travel or move for work.
Public transport concessions for job seekers
Eligible job seekers may be able to get cheaper public transport in NSW while looking for work.
A free NSW service that helps eligible essential workers and their families relocate and settle in regional communities. This service also includes support to help partners find employment.
Services Australia - Moving for work
You may decide to move house to increase your chance of finding a job. If you’re participating in employment services, you may be able to get help with certain relocation costs.
Help if your employer goes bust
If the business you work for closes or cannot pay its debts, help may be available.
Fair Work – bankruptcy and liquidation
Find out what you can do if a business closes and owes you money. This may include unpaid wages, leave or other entitlements.
The Fair Entitlements Guarantee is a government-funded safety net that helps workers who lose their job because their employer goes into liquidation or is declared bankrupt. The scheme can pay some of your owed entitlements, such as wages, annual leave and redundancy pay, provided you meet certain conditions.
Payments for when you're out of work or studying
If you are out of work, studying or doing an apprenticeship, you may be able to get payments or support.
Services Australia Payment Finder
Use this Australian Government tool to check if you may get payments while you look for work, study or train. It is for federal payments, not NSW rebates and discounts.
Unemployed and looking for work, or sick or injured and can’t do your usual work or study for a short time? You may be eligible for financial help from the Australian government.
Youth allowance for job seekers
The Youth Allowance provides a fortnightly payment if you’re 21 or younger and looking for work, or temporarily unable to work. You need to meet some rules to get the allowance.
Youth allowance for students and Australian apprentices
Completing an apprenticeship or studying full-time in an approved course and aged between 18 and 24 years old? You may be able to claim an allowance to help you complete your studies. Some 16- to 17-year-olds may also be eligible.
Mental health and other support
Looking for work can affect your finances and mental health. Help and support are available if you need it.
For a list of resources available to you, see the NSW Government’s mental health services and support contact list and details of 24/7 crisis lines. If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, please call 000 (Triple 0).
Relationships Australia – self confidence after job loss
Unemployment is one of the most difficult challenges a person can experience. It has the potential to impact almost every aspect of our lives. Relationships Australia explains how to build up your confidence after losing a job.
Beyond Blue – work and mental health
Mentally healthy work helps you feel more engaged, be more productive and can contribute to your sense of purpose. But poor working conditions can harm your mental health and wellbeing. Beyond Blue offers practical tools to improve mental health at work – and explains how to cope if you lose a job.
Tools and calculators
Use these free tools to check your pay, support and work entitlements.
Services Australia Payment Finder
Use this Australian Government tool to check if you may get payments while you look for work, study or train. It is for federal payments, not NSW rebates and discounts.
Use this calculator to check minimum pay rates, penalty rates and allowances for many jobs. It can also help you find the award that may apply to your work.
Fair Work Notice and Redundancy Calculator
Use this calculator to check notice and redundancy entitlements when a job ends. It can help you work out what you may be owed.
MoneySmart – income tax calculator
The MoneySmart calculator combines your income from multiple jobs to work out the marginal tax rate you should be paying.
Use this calculator to estimate your long service leave entitlement. It can help you work out how much leave you may have.
Use this tool to explore jobs you could move into next. It shows common career moves and the training or qualifications you may need.
Crisis support
A crisis can be sudden and life changing, but you do not need to go through it alone. There are support services available if you need help when times get tough.
Learn more about where to get help at our Crisis support page.