As a mature age worker, you bring a lifetime of experience and knowledge, and valuable transferrable skills to a role.
On this page:
The nature and types of jobs in Australia is changing. 30 years ago manufacturing was the largest employing industry in Australian. Today three in four Australians are employed in a service industry.
Workforce Australia
Visit Workforce Australia for Individuals to search and apply for jobs or find information to help with your pathway to employment.
Finding a job
Jobs Hub
Go to the Jobs Hub to explore job opportunities and find jobs that match your skills.
Options for training and building skills
Course Seeker
Explore study options, including short courses, on the Course Seeker website.
Your Career
Visit the Explore Your Career website to explore occupations and find a career that’s right for you.
Fee-Free Tafe
Fee-Free TAFE is a joint initiative of the Australian, State and Territory governments, providing tuition-free courses to students wanting to train, retrain or upskill. Visit Fee-Free TAFE on the Your Career website to find out more.
Government support
Career Transition Assistance
If you are 45 years or over, Career Transition Assistance can help you improve your confidence and skills so you can:
- change career or find a new job
- get a better understanding of job opportunities in your local area and how to tailor your job applications
- improve your digital literacy skills.
To find out more, and to see how the program has helped others land a great job, visit the Career Transition Assistance page.
Self-Employment Assistance
If you have a business idea or existing business, Self-Employment Assistance can help kick-start and grow your business. To find out what the service includes and if you are eligible visit the Self-Employment Assistance page.
Hear from mature age workers
Matt has some advice for mature age job seekers about the challenges of changing industries and rewards of finding a job you love.
Learn how Local Jobs is providing pathways for women over 45 back into the workforce in the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast region, while also filling in-demand roles in the local childcare industry.
Other useful links
Visit the links below to learn more about mature age employment.
- The department’s Newsroom provides news, data, analysis and cases studies. Read:
- Pauline's Story to see how Career Transition Assistance helped her find a new career path
- the two-part series with the Hon Dr Kay Patterson, where she shares her thoughts and insights on mature age employment (Part 1; Part 2).
- Older Workers Resource Hub | Australian Human Rights Commission – Publications, research, resources and projects to help understand age discrimination.
- Seniors | Department of Social Services, Australian Government – Programs and services to support seniors.
- Ageing | Services Australia – Government payments and services for people retiring or accessing aged care.
- Centrelink | Services Australia – Delivers Centrelink social security payments and services to Australians.
- Positive ageing | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care – for a range of policy initiatives, programs and campaigns to help improve the health of all Australians.