Employment Solutions

Support for migrants and refugees who receive income support payments and need help with finding employment.

Make a referral

Are you a migrant or refugee looking for work? Do you receive income support payments?

Get tailored employment support from Sonder’s Employment Solutions program.

Employment Solutions is entirely voluntary and is not connected to Centrelink Job Service Providers.

 

Our employment programs at Sonder are based on a successful evidence – based model known as Individual Placement Support (IPS) which has been implemented in Australia and internationally with outstanding results.

What do we offer?

  • Guidance along the entire way

    Our Career Coaches will guide you along the entire journey towards employment, including job searching, writing resumes and preparing for interviews.

  • Continuous support

    Following employment, we provide continuous, on-the-job support for as long as you need.

  • Safe, confidential & friendly environment

    Our friendly staff will provide you a safe, confidential and judgement-free service.

  • Entirely voluntary service

    Our service is voluntary and free to access. We are separate from Job Active and DES providers, so you can work with both Sonder and other job services.

Make a referral

Accessing this service

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for Sonder Employment Solutions you must:

  • Be a migrant or refugee aged between 16-64 years;
  • Hold a valid Visa with working rights;
  • Be receiving an income support payment with or without Mutual Obligation Requirements;
  • Speak English proficiently;
  • Live in the council areas of Playford, Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully, Campbelltown, Port Adelaide Enfield, Charles Sturt, Marion, Adelaide, Prospect or Walkerville and;
  • Be ineligible to participate or not participating in the IPS Program funded by the Department of Social Services.

Who are the Employment Solutions staff?

The Sonder Employment Solutions staff are skilled Career Coaches and Wellbeing Coaches.

Your Career Coach will guide you along the entire journey towards employment and provide help as needed which could include completing vocational assessments to identify suitable jobs, helping with writing resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, speaking to employers to identify potential job opportunities and helping to manage your requirements of Centrelink or Job Service Providers.

Your Wellbeing Coach will work with you to help you to overcome some of the barriers and difficulties experienced with migration.

How do I access the service?

If you are interested in this service, you can self-refer by calling us on (08) 8209 0700 or completing our online referral form.

Referrals can also be made by community organisations and employment services.

Make a referral

Please note

Sonder will be delivering the Employment Solutions program in 2023 with a smaller team.

Referrals are still encouraged and we will continue to provide quality support and commitment to the community and participants.

We hope you continue to support Employment Solutions as we look for new opportunities to deliver outcomes for migrants and refugees.

Hear from our clients

Looking for employees?

We'll help you to find the best candidate to fit your business. Find out how Employment Solutions can help with your workforce needs.

Find out more

Where you can access this service

Frequently Asked Questions

Read more about our work

Career Coaches

Your Career Coach will provide you with employment assistance, tailored to your needs. They’ll guide you along the entire journey and will work with you to:

  • Complete a vocational assessment to identify the jobs you would like to do;
  • Help with writing resumes and cover letters;
  • Prepare for interviews and starting work;
  • Speak to employers to identify job opportunities;
  • Help manage the requirements of Centrelink and Job Service Providers;
  • Speak with your employer to work through any challenges that arise;
  • Provide continuous support for as long as you wish, after finding employment.
Career Coach with Client editing resume

Wellbeing Coaches

Feeling a little down at the moment? Employment Solutions acts as a wrap-around service, providing links into Sonder’s other mental health programs. Our skilled Wellbeing Coaches will work with you to help overcome some of the barriers and difficulties experienced with migration.

Your Wellbeing Coach can provide you with advice, support and assistance if you are:

  • Having difficulties adjusting to life in your new home;
  • Feeling down, stressed or can’t stop worrying;
  • Worried about your health;
  • Having difficulties with friendships or relationships;
  • Having money trouble;
  • Experiencing long-term isolation or loneliness;
  • Unable to sleep or concentrate;
  • Worried about your family.
Career Coach talking to client

Backed by a successful, evidence-based model

Sonder's employment programs are based on a successful evidence – based model known as Individual Placement Support (IPS) which has been implemented in Australia and internationally with outstanding results.

Find out more

Related programs

Supported by the Transition Funding for Successful Try, Test and Learn Projects program.

An initiative of the Australian Government Department of Social Services