Looking for work
We can help you find a job and support you while you look for work. We may be able to help you develop your skills through training and other options.
Help finding a job
We want to help you get back into work quickly by giving you the information and support you need right from the start. Here are some resources to help you in your job search.
Find a Job
Search through over 2000 job vacancies by role and location. Need help using Find a Job?
Job search tips
Some general tips to help you with your job search.
Where to look
Places to look for job vacancies and tips for tapping into the hidden job market.
Applying for jobs
Tips to help your job application be a success.
Writing your CV
CV tips, templates and a link to an online CV creator.
Job interviews
Tips to help you prepare and do well in interviews.
Starting your job search (PDF 33.18KB)
A worksheet to help you start your job search and plan your career.
(Also available in RTF 89KB)
Finding job leads (PDF 148.88KB)
A worksheet to help you work through your job leads.
(Also available in RTF 106KB)
Seasonal work and how we can help (PDF 279.66KB)
Assistance to help you find seasonal work.
(Also available in RTF 70KB)
Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment (PACE)
Assistance if you're looking for work in the arts and cultural sector.
Do you want help with your job search?
We’ll work with you to identify your needs, match you to appropriate vacancies and support you with your search for work.
We may be able to help you with some of the costs of looking for work and attending interviews.
If you can’t find work straight away, you may like to consider gaining work experience and learning new skills by doing voluntary work. We can offer you opportunities and put you in touch with suitable projects.
Remember, we're here to help if you need it.
Websites that may help
SEEK
Search for full time, part time or casual work by area, job category and pay.
SEEK's JobMail lets you get a daily email that lists all the new jobs from their site that match your criteria. You can also put your resume (CV) online so potential employers can find you.
Trade Me Jobs
Search for full time, part time or casual work by area, job category and pay.
We may be able to send you emails listing the latest jobs in your area from Trade Me Jobs.
Help if you’ve been made redundant
If you’ve recently been made redundant you may be able to get help through the ReStart package. You may also get this help if you're self employed and can get the Unemployment Benefit.
ReStart offers:
- payments in place of in-work tax credits
- extra help with accommodation costs
- help finding a job that’s right for you.
Websites that may help
Career Services - Redundancy – what does it mean for me?
Free information and advice to help you prepare yourself for a successful return to work.
Department of Labour - Redundancy
Information about redundancy, your rights and responsibilities, and the services and support available to you.
Help with starting a new job
We understand that for some people starting a new job isn’t always easy. We want to support you while you settle into work and may be able to help you with some initial job costs.
Once you have started work, you may be able to delay paying back anything you owe us. Contact us about this.
If you’re finding it hard financially, we may be able to give you extra assistance.
Transition to Work Grant
A payment to help you with the costs of moving into a job.
New Employment Transition Grant
A payment to help you if you're no longer on a benefit and can't work because of sickness or a breakdown in childcare arrangements.
Seasonal Work Assistance
Assistance if you're a seasonal worker no longer getting income support and have lost wages because of work missed due to bad weather.
Help when you’re working
While you're working you may be able to get help with living, housing, health, or childcare costs.
For more information
Find out how we can support you when you start a new job in our brochure:
Help with housing and living costs
We’ll support you while you look for work. We may be able to help you with housing, childcare, health and living costs.
If you’re struggling to support yourself or your family, please contact us. We can often help.
Unemployment Benefit
Assistance while you look for work or train for work.
Accommodation Supplement
Help with your rent, board or the cost of owning a home.
Out of School Care and Recreation (OSCAR) Subsidy
Help with the cost of before-school, after-school, and school holiday programmes.
Childcare Subsidy
Help with the cost of pre-school childcare.
Community Services Card
A card that can help you and your family with the costs of health care. You'll pay less on some health services and prescriptions.
Seasonal Work Assistance
Assistance if you're a seasonal worker no longer getting income support and have lost wages because of work missed due to bad weather.
For more information
You may like to read our brochure:
Websites that may help
Working for Families
Assistance that recognises the cost of raising children and ensures that you’re better off in work. Three out of four families with children can get Working for Families assistance such as:
- tax credits
- help with housing costs
- childcare assistance.
Family and Community Services - Directory of Services
Looking for support for you and your family? The National Directory lists organisations in your area that can help.
Help to study, train or learn new skills
Improving your skills through study or training may help you find work or get a better job. We can work with you to come up with suitable training and development options. We may also be able to pay for some training costs.
You may like to consider gaining work experience or learning new skills by doing voluntary work. We can offer you opportunities and put you in touch with suitable projects.
If you’d like some career guidance, please contact us.
Training Incentive Allowance
Help with some employment-related training costs.
Straight 2 Work programmes
Get the skills needed to start you in an industry that's looking for workers.
Youth Transition Services (YTS)
A free service which assists young people into further education, training, work or other meaningful activities.
Studying or leaving home
We may be able to support you while you study or are on a break.
Regional programmes
Local programmes to help you find work.
Voluntary work
A way of gaining work experience and learning new skills while you look for paid employment.
For more information
Find out about training and subsidies to help you get the job you want in our brochure:
Websites that may help
Career Services - Education and training information
Search for course and training information, find out about training providers in your region, or check out what funding you can.
Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
Information about education and training programmes including on the job experience and apprenticeships.
Youth development programmes - Ministry of Youth Development
Information about a range of programmes and services for people aged 12 to 24. They offer you a chance to get practical work and life skills to help you find employment. They are designed to be fun and include work experience, community projects, recreation activities and educational skills.
StudyLink
StudyLink connects you to the information you need to make informed decisions about student finances and other study-related issues. They also provide financial support to students.
Help if you're disabled or ill
Work can improve your life and give you independence. When you’re ready to work, whether it’s full-time or part-time, we are here to help you if you need it.
We may be able to help you with some costs of working, training or starting your own business.
Sickness Benefit
If you aren’t currently working or are working less hours because you’re sick, injured, disabled or pregnant, you may be able to get a payment while your condition lasts.
Invalid’s Benefit
Assistance when you can’t work because of a more permanent sickness, injury or disability.
Job Support
A range of assistance that makes it easier for you to work.
Training Support
A payment to help you attend activities that make it easier for you to work.
Self Start
A grant to help you start your own business.
Modification Grant
Funding for workplace changes or equipment.
Car Modification Funding
Funding if you need to modify your car because you’re disabled.
Employment Transition Grant
If you’ve completed an Invalid’s Benefit employment trial you may get an extra payment.
Regional programmes
Local programmes to help you find work.
Disabled or ill
Assistance if you, or someone you’re caring for, is disabled or ill.
Websites that may help
Workbridge
A professional employment service for people with all types of disabilities and injuries.
Enable NZ: Weka
Information and resources to help disabled people and their supporters.
Help if you’re working for yourself or starting your own business
If you’re starting a business we want you to succeed. If you’re getting government assistance, or are disabled or ill, we may be able to help you with business training, advice or start-up funding.
Business Training and Advice Grant
A grant to help you start up your own business if you're getting government assistance.
Enterprise Allowance
An allowance to help you start up your own business if you're are getting government assistance.
Self Start
A grant that helps you become self-employed if you're ill or disabled.
For more information
Read our brochure on some things to think about when you're starting a business:
Contact us
Everyone's situation is different. We're here to help if you need it.
Contact us if you:
- would like assistance
- aren't sure if you can get assistance
- are struggling to support yourself or your family
- would like more information.