Recently unemployed checklist

Follow this guide if you’ve lost or left your job. Take steps to know your rights, get financial support, and find work.

There are rules employers must follow to end employment. If they break the rules, you can get help.  

You can check your:

  • employer gave you the correct amount of notice
  • final pay includes all your entitlements
  • dismissal is fair and lawful.

Find the rules about ending employment on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

If your dismissal was unfair or unlawful

Apply for help within 21 days of your dismissal. Get help with job loss or dismissal on the Fair Work Commission website.

You may be able to get one of 3 main payments. Go to the Services Australia website to find out if you can get:

Depending on your situation, you may get other government help with money.

How to claim

Check the payment is right for you before you claim.

You can apply in your Centrelink online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Centrelink to your myGov account, find out how to link Centrelink.

You may need your previous employer to complete an Employment Separation Certificate. Find out when you need an Employment Separation Certificate on the Services Australia website.

If you already get a Centrelink payment, you may need to report that your employment and income have changed. Find out how to change your circumstances with Centrelink on the Services Australia website.

Income changes can affect child support payments. Find out about change of circumstances for child support on the Services Australia website.

You may need your previous employer to complete an Employment Separation Certificate. Find out when you need an Employment Separation Certificate on the Services Australia website.

You can get cheaper health care and medicines if you have a concession card. Find out about types of cards on the Services Australia website.

Low Income Health Care Card

If you’re on a low income, you can apply for a Low Income Health Care Card. Check who can get a card on the Services Australia website.

You can apply in your Centrelink online account through myGov.

If you haven’t linked Centrelink to your myGov account, find out how to link Centrelink.

Your state or territory government may offer concessions. You can find out what they offer on their website.

These links will take you away from myGov.

You can find more support with:

No Interest Loans can help with unexpected expenses. Find out more about No Interest Loans on the Good Shepherd website.

If you have a visa to work in Australia, losing your job may affect your visa. Get advice now that your job situation has changed on the Department of Home Affairs website.

You have the same workplace rights and protections as all other employees in Australia. There is help for visa holders and migrants on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

There are resources to help you to:

look after your mental health during this time.


Page last updated: 1 August 2025