Work experience and support

The Work Experience and Support Program supports multicultural Canberrans who are unemployed.

This program gives you a chance to:

• build your skills and knowledge
• experience an Australian workplace
• improve your job seeking confidence and competitiveness
• build a network of contacts in the ACT public service.

Applications open

Applications are now open.

Applications close on Sunday 16 February 2025 at 11:59pm.

There are 2 rounds of the program per year.

About the program

The program runs full-time over 12 weeks. It involves:

• 4 weeks of free training in office skills at the Canberra Institute of Technology
• 8 weeks of unpaid work experience in an ACT Government agency.

If you successfully complete the course, you will get a Certificate II in Workplace Skills from CIT.

You do not get paid during the program.

The program has helped some participants get a job. But there is no guarantee you will get a job during or after the program.

Key dates of the program will be provided once applications open.

Key dates

Round 2 2024-25 will follow the key dates below.

Before applying for the program, ensure you can attend the program in a full-time capacity.

Check if you can apply

To apply you must:

• come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• be a resident of the Australian Capital Territory
• be able to commit to the program on a full-time basis over the 12-week period, and
• have been unemployed, or not in meaningful employment, for more than 2 years.

If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you must also have a visa that allows you to:

• work in Australia, and
• study at CIT.

Check your visa eligibility at the Visas for study at CIT page.

We give priority to applicants who are:

• on a Temporary Protection visa or Safe Haven Enterprise visa
• holders of an ACT Services Access card, and
• able to speak and write English well.

If you are not eligible for this program, you can get help to find employment from the Multicultural Employment Service.

Apply now

Apply now

What happens after I submit my application?

• A panel will assess the applications after the application closing date.
• If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview.
• If you are successful at interview, you will be notified.

Unsuccessful applicants will be contacted once the process is complete.

Contact for help

Contact Multicultural ACT for help or advice:

• call the Work Experience Support Program on 02 6207 0150
• email ma@act.gov.au