Work experience can be a great first step towards getting a job. Learn more about how it can help you and ways to get experience, including as a volunteer.

What is work experience?

Work experience gives you a chance to see and take part in the daily tasks of a workplace. You are not usually paid for it, and it goes for a short time. For example, it might be:

• full time for 2 or 3 weeks
• a day or 2 each week over a few months.

Benefits of work experience

Work experience can have many benefits for you:

• It’s a great way to build your skills.
• It lets you try different jobs to see what you like and what you're good at.
• It can help you show an employer what you can do. 
• You can show that you are positive and eager to work. 
• It can help an employer look at what changes they can make in the workplace to support you – for example, if you need assistive technology or changes to your workspace.
• You can add the experience to your resume. 

The employer might even offer you a job after you’ve finished your work experience or at a later time.

How to get work experience

Your Disability Employment Services (DES) provider can give you information about work experience. 

If you’re not getting income support from Centrelink or don’t have a DES provider, you could:

• look for work experience through family and friends
• visit some businesses and give them your resume
• look on the websites of places you’d like to work and see if they have a work experience program
• do some volunteer work.

Doing volunteer work

Volunteering is a great way to get some work experience. There are many places that need volunteers, such as local community groups. Start by thinking about the kind of activity you’d like to do. For example, would you enjoy working with animals? Or help to raise money for a charity?

You can search for volunteer roles online. Websites that list roles across Australia include GoVolunteer and Seek Volunteer.

You can also check the website of your state or territory volunteering centre:

• Volunteering ACT
• Centre for Volunteering (NSW)
• Volunteering Queensland
• Volunteering SA and NT
• Volunteering Tasmania
• Volunteering Victoria
• Volunteering WA

Volunteering centres also have information about your rights as a volunteer and the laws that apply.

For many volunteering roles you don’t need special skills and you can learn as you go. Once you get started, don't be afraid to ask the organisation if they offer training. If you complete any training, remember to add it to your resume.