Melbourne Single Mom Gets Job After Tailored Support

When Harsimran arrived in Melbourne from India as a single mother fleeing domestic violence, finding work felt impossible.

She spoke limited English, had no qualifications beyond high school, and was raising her teenage son in a single room of a shared house. The future looked uncertain until she connected with AMES Australia, a government-funded agency supporting refugees and migrants.

AMES assigned Harsimran an employment mentor who understood her specific challenges. The mentor helped her get a driver's license, arranged English lessons, and secured an interest-free loan to buy a car. Within months, Harsimran landed a cleaning job that later progressed to a production role thanks to her strong work ethic.

"They helped me in so many ways," she said. Her story of avoiding long-term unemployment through personalized support is about to become the norm across Australia.

Last month, the federal government announced what Minister Amanda Rishworth called a "once-in-a-generation reform" to Workforce Australia, the national employment service system. The new approach will assess each jobseeker and provide tailored support instead of treating everyone the same.

The revamped system will offer three levels of help. Digital resources will support people ready to work immediately, while targeted programs will build skills for those needing confidence. Intensive services will tackle complex barriers with flexible, coordinated support.

The Ripple Effect

Organizations working with diverse communities have pushed for this change for years. Eric Harper from Settlement Services International says refugees and people from culturally diverse backgrounds face unique obstacles including language barriers, unrecognized credentials, limited professional networks, and discrimination.

"It's very difficult for them to be serviced through the mainstream system in a culturally responsive way," Harper explained. Specialized support could include language classes, help enrolling in education, mentoring, or assistance starting small businesses.

The benefits extend beyond individual success stories. Harper points out that skilled workers in construction and care are desperately needed. "There are many opportunities to activate new Australians and refugees who are already here through just a little more specialized support," he said.

Melinda Collinson from AMES Australia agrees the changes will create more flexible pathways to employment. "We've seen how specialist services, embedded in the mainstream service, can improve employment outcomes," she said.

The government is currently accepting public feedback until July 31 and has created a lived experience panel so jobseekers can share their stories directly. For people like Harsimran who need support tailored to their unique challenges, help is coming that recognizes everyone's path to employment looks different.