Community Work Coordinators (CWC) are contracted to develop Work for the Dole activities and manage the placement of eligible job seekers into provided activities. Centerlink or your Job Network Member will select a CWC for you based on locality and the Employment Service Area where you reside. 

SkillsPlus Ltd is a CWC. At SkillsPlus, Community Work Coordinators will arrange for you to be placed on a activity that suits your needs. We are here to ensure that your time on the Work for the Dole program is successful and that you have acquired new skills and knowledge to aid in your search for employment.

You should contact us if you have any questions during your placement or about your Preparing for Work Agreement. Should you need to contact us for any further information regarding Work for the Dole, please contact your local SkillsPlus CWC.

Click here to see your Employment Service Area

Work for the Dole is a Commonwealth Government funded programme which provides work experience opportunities and activities for eligible job seekers. Through Work for the Dole many unemployed people satisfy their mutual obligation while giving something back to the Australian community in return for their unemployment payments.

Mutual obligation is a broad strategy for job seekers to assist them back to work. It encourages more active job search and participation in activities that improve work skills and habits.

Work for the Dole is six month work experience programme in which jobseekers can be placed in one or more activities. The number of hours to be undertaken by a participant varies according to age and the benefit you recieve from Centerlink. You CWC will inform you at your appointment what your requirements are.

Age Group / Benefit	Minimum participation requirements
Mutual obligation participants
18-20 on Newstart or Youth Allowance	24 hours a fortnight / 12 hours a week
21-39 on Newstart or Youth Allowance	30 hours a fortnight / 15 hours a week
40-49 on Newstart Allowance	12 hours a fortnight / 6 hours a week
Parenting Payment Recipients	12 hours a fortnight / 6 hours a week
18-49 on Newstart Allowance with a restricted work capacity	12 hours a fortnight / 6 hours a week
Very Long Term Unemployed / Participants with work avoidance
18-59 on Newstart or Youth Allowance	50 hours a fortnight / 25 hours a week
Voluntary Participants
50+ on Newstart Allowance	24 hours a fortnight / 12 hours a week
Disability Pension Recipients or Personal Support Programme participants	24 hours a fortnight / 12 hours a week
**Please note: Voluntary participants may discuss hours of attendance with CWC or activity supervisor. Attendance is not mandatory

Work for the Dole not only updates your skills and aids in gaining employment, participants in a Work for the Dole activity receive their unemployment benefit plus an additional allowance of $20.80 per fortnight. This is to cover expenses associated with participation such as train tickets and petrol. Another benefit for your contribution to the activity is Training Credits. Training Credits are provided by The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Click here for information on Training Credits

Work for the dole Sponsors.

Work for the Dole sponsors are not-for-profit organisations. These include local community groups, and Local, State and Commonwealth Government organisations and agencies.

Sponsor organisations provide the actual work experience placements for participants either within their organisation or the local community. Some CWC's are also sponsor organisations.
If you or your organisation would like to be involved in the Work for the Dole program please contact us.