Queensland backs women returning to work with a targeted grants program
Queensland is rolling out a significant one-off incentive aimed at helping women rejoin the workforce after time spent away. The government has unveiled a $20-million Women’s Career Grants program designed to remove practical barriers and encourage more women to re-enter professional life. Targeted at women over 18 who have been out of the workforce for more than six months, the program will provide eligible applicants with up to $5,000 to cover essential re‑entry costs.
How the grant works and who can apply
The grants are intended to cover a range of needs that often delay a return to work, including childcare, job-readiness training, technology, and workwear. Expressions of interest open immediately, with the official launch scheduled for November 3. Premier David Crisafulli emphasised that the grant is about “removing obstacles” that stand between capable women and paid employment. He described the program as a modest but meaningful investment in the state’s productivity and in the self-worth that employment provides.
Officials say the program aims to help a minimum of 4,000 women across Queensland. Grant amounts are flexible, reflecting the diverse circumstances facing applicants—from those needing only a small top-up for essential items to others requiring more substantial support to cover childcare or training costs.
Policy design and administration
Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson noted that the program has been shaped by feedback from women themselves. She said the initiative is about affording “the dignity of opportunity,” ensuring that women facing different life-stage challenges can access practical support that makes a real difference in their ability to re-enter work.
In a bid to maximise reach, the program is being delivered in partnership with Future Women, a professional development organisation. Future Women will administer the grants, while an expansion of the related Jobs Academy will run in parallel. The collaboration is described as a first-of-its-kind step for Queensland, with the government looking to leverage existing services to reach a broader cohort of women in need.
Industry reaction and expert insight
Helen McCabe, founder of Future Women, welcomed the move as a chance to access a previously dormant workforce. She highlighted a current skills shortage and said the expansion would extend the program beyond its initial pilot, enabling more women to benefit from practical supports—such as resume and cover-letter advice—that strengthen their employability.
Voices from the community: mums share their hopes
Within the community, mums have greeted the announcement with optimism. Jen Fleming described the initiative as groundbreaking and essential for rebuilding confidence among women who are weighing a return to work after motherhood. She spoke about how parenting shifts priorities and bodies, and how targeted funding can help women regain momentum when the time is right for them.
Evie Massey, who has spent 16 years at home raising children, shared her outlook on the grants. A former makeup artist, she said the money could be used to sharpen her resume, improve her presentation, and acquire the tools needed to resume her career. Massey emphasized the childcare component as a practical necessity, but she also highlighted the broader benefits of a plan that supports professional re-entry and personal empowerment.
What happens next
With expressions of interest open now, eligible applicants can anticipate support that acknowledges the varied paths back into work. The government’s plan includes a timeline that aims to have the first grant payments completed before the end of the year, ensuring that early recipients can begin their professional journey with tangible resources at hand.
The Women’s Career Grants program signals Queensland’s broader commitment to workforce participation and gender equality. As more families navigate the complexities of balancing work and home responsibilities, such targeted supports could become a model for how state governments address practical barriers to employment.
