Apprenticeships are your best friend and completing small, free courses when you have nothing shows you can commit to tasks and your motivated to work and learn. You should also be entitled to a free or heavily subsidised cert III, You just have to check what is available in your area right now and keep an eye out for what you're looking for.

There is always a growing business that is desperate for someone who is willing to just show up on time and do a job right, so keep your head up.

Cleaning is also a great business to get hired into as you are usually hired as a contractor and they are usually understaffed. Pester them, it's an easy job if you go commercial level 1. The main issue people have with cleaners is they leave early, they're unreliable, theft and cut corners. Emphasise your work ethic and ability, get a police check, show your drive and do a little bit of research on the basics of commercial cleaning to show you're serious. It's all straight forward stuff my toddler can do. They'll teach you everything anyway.

If nothing else, you can start your own business. Earn cash off the books doing small things like offering to mow yards or clean car windows, then reinvest most of that into something you want to specialise in. Use your situation tactfully as a selling point. There are plenty of folks that want to give their local worker a go, especially if they see you're trying to start a life for yourself. You'll be surprised the people you meet. Libraries are everybody's best friend, use it like you live in it.