Transition to Work
Your journey to employment is as unique as you are
That’s why we tailor our support to meet your individual needs and goals, including your health and wellbeing, your skills and training needs, and your commitments and responsibilities.
We’ll look at what’s holding you back from employment and we’ll work with you to gain the skills and confidence you need to enter the exciting world of work.
Transition to Work program
Workforce Australia – Transition to Work program is designed to support and empower young people aged 15-24 years to gain the skills and experience they need to secure meaningful employment.
You’ll work one-on-one with a Youth Mentor to help you figure out what your next steps into employment look like. You can participate in a mix of individual, group and self-directed activities to learn new skills, attain a qualification, or engage in local work experience.
AKG offers Transition to Work to young people in the Cairns region, while Real Futures also delivers the program in Geraldton, WA.
explore career and study options that match your interests and what you enjoy doing
access apprenticeships and traineeships with employers you can build a career with
study and train to enter an industry with good job prospects
build a good foundation to work, such as organisation, time management and presentation skills
make informed choices about your pathways to education and employment.
Who is eligible to participate?
Your eligibility to participate depends on your individual circumstances, including your qualifications and employment history. You may or may not be receiving income support payment such as Youth Allowance. You must be:
15-24 years
an Australian citizen, or
the holder of an appropriate visa
Your Workforce Australia provider or Centrelink may refer you to the Transition to Work program. Or you can contact us directly and we can help assess your eligibility.
How does it work?
The program typically supports you for up to 18 months. You and your Mentor will develop and agree on a Job Plan tailored to your needs. The Job Plan is flexible and can change according to your needs. You might:
upskill with a Year 12 or Certificate III qualification
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
complete a 4–12-week workplace trial
develop your job application, interview and employability skills
Join our weekly drop-in sessions in Cairns
Drop into our Youth Hub in Cairns, meet new people and work towards your next step in life. We have computers you can use or bring along your own laptop.
Prepare for Work - Mondays 10am-11am
Build your confidence, learn life skills, get motivated to achieve your goals or work on your job search, resume and cover letter.
Job Club - Tuesdays 10am-11am
Explore pathways to interesting careers, practice interview techniques and learn what to expect when you have a job. You can also learn budgeting, time management and how to navigate the world of work.
Study Club - Wednesdays 10am onwards
Do course work, catch-up on homework or assignments, access study resources and get assistance from our Youth Mentors. We can also help with course enrolment or any admin needed by your education provider.
Drop into our Youth Hub in Cairns
Drop in to our hub at 14 Aplin Street, Cairns.
How Transition to Work helped Samuel
Samuel is a young person from Innisfail who didn’t have a driver’s licence, limiting his opportunities for employment in a small town where public transport options are limited.
The Transition to Work team helped him solve this barrier by covering the costs of Samuel obtaining his driver’s licence.
The next step: helping Samuel with his job search.
Samuel decided that he wanted to drive trucks for a living, so the team assisted him with applying for his truck licence. We’re pleased to share that Samuel has now found full-time employment driving trucks!
Find us here
AKG has Transition to Work offices and youth hubs in the Cairns region.
Drop in during our opening hours, say hello to our Youth Mentors and make the most of our welcoming spaces.
Use our free wi-fi or computers, charge your phone, grab a snack, work on your job or study goals or come to one of our workshops!
Our Youth Mentors are also on hand if you need a private chat or support with your health and wellbeing.
Opening days:
Cairns City—Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Atherton—Thursday & Friday, 9am to 4.30pm
Innisfail—Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm
Mareeba—Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 4.30pm
Yarrabah— Tuesday & Wednesday, 9am to 4.30pm
Smithfield—Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm
Based in Geraldton? Real Futures runs Transition to Work for young people there. Find our office at 11/201 Foreshore Drive, Geraldton WA 6530.
Geraldton—Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Contact us—1800 732 538 or info@realfutures.net
Tips for work and study
AKG has a customer portal full of helpful information about your Workforce Australia service, support to study or upskill, health and wellbeing resources, and practical tips for finding and starting a job.
Access the AKG Portal
Elise’s pathways to early childhood education
When Elise finished Year 12, she was unsure which pathway to take. With limited work experience and no clear employment goal yet, Elise needed extra guidance and culturally safe support to build confidence, clarity, and work readiness.
Elise was matched with Indigenous youth mentor Tonya and together they worked on:
- A personalised job plan and achievable goals
- Regular 1:1 mentoring to build confidence, identify strengths, and troubleshoot challenges
- Weekly catch-ups for resume support, job searching, and exploring pathways
- Practical help to work towards a Learner Licence (removing a key barrier to employment)
With Tonya’s encouragement and advocacy, Elise pursued employment. She gained ongoing employment at a local takeaway shop, building her employability skills, workplace confidence and independence.
As her confidence grew, Elise reflected on her long-term goals. With continued Indigenous mentoring, Elise explored study options that matched her interests and cultural values — and chose RATEP (Remote Area Teacher Education Program) as a pathway into Early Childhood Education.
Elise is now studying full-time at TAFE and in an employment placement at Yarrabah Daycare.
Tonya continues to provide post-placement support through fortnightly check-ins, helping Elise stay supported across both study and work.
AKG is privileged to work in many countries across the globe. We acknowledge the traditional owners and First Nations people for all those places and recognise their connections to lands, water, sky, and community. We are dedicated to learning about local Indigenous People and culture, to sharing what we learn, and to listening and respecting Indigenous voices. We pay our respects to them, their elders and their cultures.
