As many of us know, the five basic needs of survival are air, water, food, shelter and sleep. Australia’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis is placing unprecedented pressure on the nation’s most vulnerable individuals, impacting their ability to access employment, housing and essential resources such as food and clothing.
Employment services provider atWork Australia is noticing the effects that cost-of-living challenges are having on their clients. From employees needing to take on additional hours, to a noticeable slowdown in recruitment, the ripple effects of rising living costs are reshaping the job market and workforce dynamics.
atWork Australia collaborates with various support organisations to best equip their clients for employment. Dress for Success supports atWork Australia’s female, transgender and non-binary clients, including those taking part in the Disability Employment Services (DES) program, to help build their confidence at interviews and in the workplace. It provides women with work-appropriate attire, including clothing, shoes, accessories and makeup – all of which is donated and sorted by volunteers – and provides professional development workshops including resume writing, interview preparation and resilience in the workplace.
Dress for Success NSW & ACT CEO, Sonia Casanova, said, "At Dress for Success NSW & ACT, we empower women entering and re-entering the workforce by providing them with employment clothing and career support services, giving them the self-belief they need to succeed – all at no cost. The current economic challenges are driving more women to seek our services as they face the realities of the cost-of-living crisis. Our mission is to support women in any circumstance, providing them with the resources and confidence they need to navigate their careers, especially during these challenging times.”
Over the last 12 months, atWork Australia’s collaboration with Dress for Success has empowered countless women through events, shopping experiences and programs, enabling them to access the basic needs of clothing and shelter.
Klara from Blacktown, NSW, was recently supported by atWork Australia and Dress for Success
Klara, 58, was recently supported by atWork Australia and Dress for Success, which significantly boosted her confidence and positivity for job interviews. Klara had faced difficulties in finding a role that aligned with her needs and lifestyle and having overcome past abuse, she initially struggled to navigate the job market.
With atWork Australia's support, Klara was able to approach her job search with a renewed mindset and determination, ultimately finding a role that fits her well. She comments, “atWork Australia provided me with the guidance and resources I needed to find a job that fits my skills and aspirations. I am now working as a cleaner, at multiple sites, and I absolutely love it.”
“atWork Australia also connected me with Dress for Success where I was supported and provided with quality pre-loved clothing, styling and presentation skills for job interviews. I had the opportunity to present at a recent Dress for Success event where I showed people the sort of attire they could wear at work. This was a little nerve-racking at first, but I felt very grateful, empowered and honored to be asked, and my confidence was boosted.”
“Additionally, my job coach has been a great source of motivation and guidance. She truly understands me and my career goals, which makes all the difference. I feel much more confident and focused on my job thanks to her and Dress for Success’ dedicated support.”
Highlighting those who support the most vulnerable members of our communities
There are many other organisations around the country playing a vital role in supporting Australians in need during these challenging times, such as OzHarvest, Australia’s leading food rescue organisation, which delivers 500,000 meals a week. However, this is not enough to meet current demand, with 3.7 million households in Australia struggling to put food on their table in the last year. Furthermore, 75% of the charities OzHarvest support reported an increase in demand in the last six months4.
Julia Gove, OzHarvest Partnerships Executive commented, "The cost-of-living crisis is pushing so many people to the edge. Our charities are telling us that people from all corners of the community are seeking help, many for the first time. If you are in need of food relief, please know you are not alone.”
Unfortunately, atWork Australia is also seeing the impact financial struggles are having on people’s daily lives. Between August 2022 and February 2023, with inflation at a 33-year high, over half (53%) of Australians struggled to afford basic needs1. The average cost of shelter has now surged beyond the reach of one in three Australians living with a disability 2, while one in 10 young people have faced homelessness in the past year3. Alarmingly, many of those who are needing to tap into these services are doing so for the first time.
Will Hawes of Will2Live has seen a surge in demand for his services. For 12 years, Will2Live has provided accommodation support, essential resources such as food, and long-term housing solutions to struggling families and single parents, as well as the homeless community. But with homelessness continuing to increase, more people are needing their services than they can provide.
Will Hawes, Will2Live Founder commented: “I started this organisation during one of the lowest points in my own life, when I came close to experiencing the struggles of homelessness and financial hardship. Although I was lucky to have the support of my family, this personal struggle ignited a deep passion to help others facing similar challenges. Through Will2Live, I aim to provide not just immediate relief but also long-term support and hope for a brighter future.”
For a person to find secure and fulfilling employment, they first need access to the basic human needs. atWork Australia is committed to ensuring the needs of their clients are met by connecting and collaborating with relevant support agencies to help individuals navigate financial difficulties, while offering tailored guidance and resources to secure employment.
To find out more about atWork Australia’s support services, please visit: www.atworkaustralia.com.au
ENDS
References
- Monash University Lens. Undernourished, stressed and overworked: Cost-of-living pressures are taking a toll on Australians’ health. https://lens.monash.edu/@business-economy/2024/05/07/1386549/undernourished-stressed-and-overworked-cost-of-living-pressures-are-taking-a-toll-on-australians#:~:text=Between%20August%202022%20and%20February%202023%2C%20when%20inflation,Australians%20reported%20struggling%20to%20afford%20their%20basic%20needs. Accessed 9 August 2024.
- Disability Support Guide. The average cost of shelter is now out of reach for one in three Aussies with disability. https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/talking-disability/the-average-cost-of-shelter-is-now-out-of-reach-for-one-in-three-aussies-with-disability. Accessed 9 August 2024.
- ABC News. Mission Australia survey finds one in 10 young people polled faced homelessness in past year. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-01/one-in-10-youth-faced-homelessness-in-2023-mission-australia/104158672. Accessed 9 August 2024.
- OzHarvest. Food waste facts. https://www.ozharvest.org/food-waste-facts/. Accessed 9 August 2024.
About us:
About atWork Australia
atWork Australia has been delivering employment services on behalf of the Australian Government since 2003. From more than 300 locations around the nation, atWork Australia delivers Disability Employment Services (DES), Workforce Australia and ParentsNext, connecting people and business so both can thrive.
Partnering with more than 2,800 employers across the country, atWork Australia placed 13,100 Australians into meaningful and sustainable employment across six states over the last 12 months, across a diverse range of industries and occupations. Find out more at www.atworkaustralia.com.au.
Contact details:
Tia Orfanidis, SenateSHJ, +61 411 293 583 / tia@senateshj.com.au
