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Work and income | Te Hiranga Tangata

Community Job Coaching

A job coach can help you prepare for and find work. This is for 18 to 24 year olds in some regions, who have been getting Jobseeker Support for at least 3 months.

How it works

You may be referred to a community provider for job coaching. Your job coach will support you for up to 26 weeks (6 months). They'll help you create a personalised plan to overcome any barriers to employment and help you find a job that suits you. The plan includes activities you need to complete as part of your benefit obligations.

If you are referred to Community Job Coaching you must work with them as part of your obligation to find or prepare for work.

After you start work, your job coach will keep supporting you for up to 1 year while you settle into your new role.

Who it is for

You may be asked to do Community Job Coaching if you:

  • are 18-24 years old
  • have been getting Jobseeker Support for 3 months or more
  • live in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Wellington, Canterbury or Southern regions.

How to join

Call us on 0800 559 009 to book an appointment with a case manager. At the appointment we'll check if you're eligible, and find the right provider for you.

If you are referred to Community Job Coaching you must work with them as part of your obligation to find or prepare for work.

Bonus Payment for Community Job Coaching

Some people who took part in Community Job Coaching may be able to get a payment that recognises they found a job while working with a Community Job Coach, stopped getting Jobseeker Support, and have stayed off a benefit for 12 months.

Who may be eligible?

You may be eligible for this payment if you:

  • were referred to Community Job Coaching when you were: 
    • getting Jobseeker Support for at least 12 months, and
    • aged between 18 and 24. 
  • worked with a Community Job Coach and:
    • got a job,
    • met the required work hours and income levels, and 
    • stopped receiving Jobseeker Support. 
  • stayed off a benefit for 12 months after starting work, and:
    • are employed when you apply,
    • meet the required work hours and income levels, and
    • expect to stay employed for at least three more months after you apply. 
  • at application:
    • normally live in New Zealand and are in New Zealand,
    • and are not in prison or on remand.

When can you apply

If you have been off a benefit for 12 months and meet the eligibility criteria, we will contact you by email or letter and invite you to apply.

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