As a partner, you may have a varied employment background or experienced extended periods of unpaid work. When you're looking for job opportunities, think about your transferable skills and experience. What industries could use your skills? Do you need further training to get where you want to go?
If you are unsure of what types of jobs suit your needs and skills, it might help to talk to a career coach. Defence provides assistance to prepare for civilian employment.
The Partner Employment Assistance Program provides reimbursement to eligible ADF partners a variety of employment services. These may include career support and coaching, professional re-registration expenses incurred due to relocation and employment related training. Funding is available up to a cap.
Visit the DMFS website to access this program.
Additional support for partners and families
National
King's Trust Australia supports ADF members and families through its Enterprise Programme to start and grow small businesses.
In 2025, the Families of Veterans Guild's Rise Together Initiative will provide 12 defence and veteran partners with the ability to undertake the Women in Leadership Development Program. This program is open to women from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors who are seeking a development experience to help up-skill and prepare for future roles.Applications are now open and close on 7 April.
The Australian Catholic University provides a dedicated entry scheme and support program for partners and children of current and previously serving ADF members across all ACU campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballarat and Townsville. View the student veteran services webpage for details.
Legacy provides services, education programs and financial assistance to ADF families.
Visit Explore Your Career and Skill Finder to consider how you might further build and match your skills to advance your civilian career.
State and Territory based
New South Wales
The New South Wales Government’s Skills NSW Initiatives website can help you find Skills NSW provider-run and fee-free short courses.
TAFE NSW offers customised careers advice, skills assessment, credit transfer, recognition of prior learning (RPL) and training gap analysis to help identify the skills and knowledge acquired by veterans and partners via the Ranks to Recognition program.
Partners and dependants of veterans are eligible to have adjustment factors added to their ATAR to calculate their selection rank at the University of Wollongong through the Veteran Scholar Scheme.
Queensland
The Oasis Townsville has a variety of support services and resources, including an education and skills opportunities board to assist veterans and partners in finding meaningful work. The Oasis Townsville can support you to begin your own business, help you access programs or help you find volunteering opportunities.
RSL Queensland also offers Partner Scholarships that can go towards the cost of higher education courses and administration fees and textbooks.
South Australia
The Flinders University Australian Student Veterans Association (ASVA) Student Association brings veterans and family members together to facilitate the higher education experience.
The University of South Australia’s Veterans’ Engagement and Education Program helps veterans and immediate family members to balance their study with work and family commitments and responds to some of the unique challenges that may arise as a result of ADF service.
Victoria
The Victorian Veterans Council hosts employment and transition resources and support for veterans and families on its Employment webpage.
Western Australia
The Veterans’ Employment Support program through RSL Western Australia in partnership with Working Spirit offers personalised, free employment support to ADF and veteran partners, as well as their working-age children. The program provides career advice, help with CVs and constructing cover letters, skill identification, access to training programs and connections with employers.