New grants target women re-entering the workforce
More than 4,000 Queensland women will gain access to one-off career grants designed to ease their return to the workforce. The Women’s Career Grants program, a $20 million initiative, is a key election promise fulfilled by the LNP in the lead-up to the 2024 state election. The program targets adult women who have been out of paid employment for more than six months and offers a pathway back into work through practical financial support.
What the grants cover and who can apply
Eligible applicants can receive up to $5,000 to help cover essential re-entry costs. The grant can be used for childcare, job readiness programs, technology upgrades, and workwear—costs that often pose a barrier to returning to the workforce. Premier David Crisafulli emphasised that the grants are about removing obstacles that prevent capable, motivated women from rejoining the labor market.
“This is the difference between somebody being able to rejoin [the workforce] or not… all we are focusing on is how we can remove the obstacles that exist,” the Premier said. He framed the program as a small yet meaningful investment that could boost both state productivity and individual self-worth tied to employment.
The government estimates a minimum of 4,000 women will benefit, with flexible grant amounts designed to meet varied life circumstances. Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson noted the program was shaped by feedback from women themselves, aiming to preserve dignity while providing opportunity.
A first-of-its-kind initiative and a broader plan
Described as a pioneering effort in the Sunshine State, the grants are administered in partnership with Future Women, a professional development organization. The collaboration also includes an expansion of the Jobs Academy program, which Future Women runs in conjunction with the Queensland government. This broader effort is intended to create a more robust pathway back into employment by combining financial support with targeted training and resume-building resources.
Founder Helen McCabe welcomed the announcement, saying it could unlock a “dormant workforce.” She highlighted the current skills shortage and framed the grants as a practical extension of an existing program that started by assisting 500 women. “They’ll be able to access our pre-employment program… with all the things women desperately need, like advice on how to produce a resume and cover letter,” she said.
Real-life impact: voices from mums and future job seekers
The grants have resonated with mothers who have paused their careers to focus on family care. Jen Fleming, a Queensland mum, described the program as a confidence booster for those considering a return to work. “When you become a mum, everything changes, your body changes, your priorities change,” she explained. “I think this is groundbreaking… women need support to have the confidence to return to work when they’re ready.”
Evie Massey, who has been out of the workforce for 16 years while raising children, shared her aspirations to resume her makeup artistry career. She said the childcare component would be crucial and also noted that the grants could help sharpen her resume and equip her with necessary tools. “The need for childcare as a mum is quite necessary… but also [the money would] help me sharpen my resume, my presentation… also to get all the tools that are necessary,” she said.
What happens next
Expressions of interest opened on the program’s launch day, with the official rollout set for November 3. Premier Crisafulli indicated that the first eligible recipients could receive their grants before the year ends, signaling a prompt start to delivering tangible benefits for women re-entering the workforce.
As Queensland moves to implement this targeted support, advocates say the program could become a blueprint for addressing gender gaps in employment, particularly when life events disrupt career trajectories. By combining financial aid with practical training and coaching, the government aims to unlock a faster, more inclusive path back to work for women across the state.
