1. Eligibility

The Mid-Career Checkpoint program supports eligible parents, carers and existing workers* who are looking to return to the workforce or advance their career.

This program is available to Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents who live in New South Wales, Victoria or Queensland. In addition, you must qualify as one of the following:

jobs for stay at home mums

1. A parent who has taken a six month break (or more) to pursue parenting responsibilities and:

  • You’re now looking to return to paid work; OR

  • You have returned to paid work (within the past 12 months) but would now like to advance or change your career.

2. A carer who has taken a six month break (or more) to pursue caring responsibilities and:

  • You’re now looking to return to paid work; OR

  • You have returned to paid work (within the past 12 months) but would now like to advance or change your career.

3. An existing worker in a designated industry* who is currently working in one of the following sectors:

  • Accomodation and Food Services

  • Education and Training

  • Arts and Recreation Services
  • Retail Trade
  • Administrative and Support Services
  • Residential Care Services
  • Child Care Services

2. What can I receive?

Eligible participants receive at no cost:

  • A tailored skills and employment assessment known as a Skills, Training and Employment Plan (STEP)

  • Up to $3,000 (GST-free) towards accredited training recommended in your STEP.

  • Coaching sessions, and

  • Personalised career advice

All participants receive a customised Skills, Training and Employment Plan (STEP) that details their employment goals and identifies their attributes, skills and qualifications, as well as any skills gaps.

Each STEP provides information on local employment and training opportunities, in line with the participant’s employment goals.

Coaching sessions may focus on but are not limited to:

  • resume and job application writing
  • interview preparation and techniques
  • leveraging networking opportunities
  • career progression while in part time employment and,
  • improving digital literacy.

3. Which courses are eligible for funding?

The Training Incentive provides funding of up to $3,000 (GST-free) to support your enrolment in specific accredited training, where this training is recommended in your Skills, Training and Employment Plan (STEP).

Recommended accredited training depends on your STEP assessment but may include:

4. How do I apply?

To apply, please contact your designated Mid-Career Checkpoint provider in your state.

Applications for this program have now closed.

It is important that you apply with your designated provider about accessing the Incentive when undertaking the Mid-Career Checkpoint Program as soon as possible.

Only the designated provider in your state (listed below), can suitably assess your eligibility for the Mid-Career Checkpoint Program and the Skills and Training Incentive.

Please note, you must not enrol and pay for the training yourself.

Before you undertake the training, your Mid-Career Checkpoint provider must first:

1. Assess your eligibility

2. Complete a tailored Skills, Training and Employment Plan (STEP)

3. Register you for the Training Incentive

4. Assist you to enrol in the training*

5. If the cost of your tuition exceeds the Government’s training incentive,
your provider with send you a co-contribution invoice, and

6. Make a total payment to the training organisation.

New South Wales

Apprenticeship Support Australia

Applications have now closed.

Victoria

Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Applications have now closed.

Queensland

Applications have now closed. 

Are you over 40 years old and residing outside one of these states? Check out the government’s Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program.

5. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)?

Check out some of the frequently asked questions below.

I have been out of paid work due to caring for a family member. Am I eligible?

To be eligible, you need to have taken time out of the paid workforce to be the primary caregiver to your own family OR to family members and friends who have high care needs including disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue or who are frail or aged.

Carers who have recently returned to the paid workforce (within the past 12 months) are also eligible.

Participants do not have to be in receipt of income support payments from Services Australia.

On average, taking part in the program takes approximately 6 hours over several sessions, at times that suit you.

Appointments and coaching sessions with your MCC provider can be conducted in person or online.

The Training Incentive provides capped funding of up to $3,000 (GST-free) to support a Participant’s enrolment in specific accredited training, where this training is recommended in the Participant’s Skills, Training and Employment Plan.

For the training to be eligible for support through the Training Incentive, it must be:

a) nationally accredited and Vocational Education Training

b) necessary to address the Participant’s identified skills gaps or employment goals, and

c) recommended in the Participant’s STEP.

The Training Incentive provides you with up to $3,000 (GST-free) towards your enrolment at TalentMed. If tA gap between the funding that you receive, and the cost of your training, you must contribute to any remaining balance of the training course cost.

For example, if you’re looking to enrol in TalentMed’s Diploma of Healthcare Documentation, the current tuition fee is $4,800. However, if you qualify for the government’s maximum training incentive, you’ll receive up to $3,000 (GST-free) towards your enrolment.

This leaves you with a balance of just $1,800, which you (or your employer) will need to pay as part of your co-contribution. This payment is made directly to your designated Mid-Career Checkpoint provider prior to commencing your course. Please note, designated providers do not have credit facilities and your co-contribution must be paid in full prior to commencing the course.

Once your designated Mid-Career Checkpoint provider receives your co-contribution, they will then pay the total tuition fee (including the Government’s training incentive + your co-contribution) directly to TalentMed.

Accommodation and Food Services
  • Accommodation
  • Food and Beverage Services
  • Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services
  • Cafes and Restaurants
  • Takeaway Food Services
  • Catering Services
  • Pubs, Taverns and Bars
  • Clubs (Hospitality)
Administrative and Support Industries
  • Employment Placement and Recruitment Services
  • Labour Supply Services
  • Travel Agency and Tour Arrangement Services
  • Document Preparation Services
  • Credit Reporting and Debt Collection Services
  • Call Centre Operation
  • Building Cleaning
  • Pest Control and Other Support Services
  • Gardening Services
  • Packaging Services
Arts and Recreation Services
  • Museum Operation
  • Parks and Gardens Operations
  • Zoological and Botanical Gardens Operation
  • Nature Reserves and Conservation Parks Operation
  • Creative and Performing Arts Activities
  • Performing Arts Operation
  • Creative Artists, Musicians, Writers and Performers
  • Sports and Physical Recreation Activities
  • Health and Fitness Centres and Gymnasia Operation
  • Sports and Physical Recreation Clubs and Sports Professionals
  • Sports and Physical Recreation Venues, Grounds and Facilities Operation
  • Horse and Dog Racing Activities
  • Amusement Parks and Centres Operation
Child Care Services
  • Child Care Services
Education and Training
  • Preschool Education
  • Primary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Special School Education
  • Tertiary Education
  • Technical and Vocational Education and Training
  • Higher Education
  • Adult, Community and Other Education
  • Sports and Physical Recreation Instruction
  • Arts Education
  • Educational Support Services
Residential Care Services
  • Aged Care Services
  • In Home Support Services
Retail Trade
  • Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts Retailing
  • Food Retailing
  • Furniture, Floor Coverings, Houseware and Textile Goods Retailing
  • Electrical and Electronic Goods Retailing
  • Hardware, Building and Garden Supplies Retailing
  • Recreational Goods Retailing
  • Clothing, Footwear and Personal Accessory Retailing
  • Watch and Jewellery Retailing
  • Department Stores
  • Pharmaceutical and Other Store-Based Retailing
  • Stationery Goods Retailing
  • Antique and Used Goods Retailing
  • Flower Retailing
  • Other Store-Based Retailing
  • Non-Store Retailing and Retail Commission Based Buying and/or Selling
  • Retail Commission-Based Buying and/or Selling

For more information about the Mid-Career Checkpoint program, please visit the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s dedicated website.

Join the wave of Australian’s taking advantage of this amazing opportunity designed to help you to step-back in to the workforce or step-up your career.

What our students are saying