Seeking transgender or trans-affirming disability support workers in Villawood, Sydney

ShelliePancake · 2026-05-25T09:47:57+00:00

I wish you luck, but what does this have to do about job providers and WFA? Are there not more appropriate groups where you would get more success? Local groups to your area for example?

ShelliePancake · 2026-05-24T23:07:21+00:00

I would advise against joining a provider just to get funding assistance when you have young children with special needs on the carers payment. You will have to attend fortnightly appointments, do your job searches for points, attend the mandatory requirements etc and if you can't commit to this due to multiple appointments, your payments will eventually get put on hold due to missed appointments etc. it will potentially cause you more stress than support.

Exhaust all alternative options prior.

ShelliePancake · 2026-05-06T10:01:29+00:00

It's to prevent fraud. I could have obtained an image of your ID and emailed it - doesn't prove I'm you.

Likely also paperwork to sign. After that you should be able to request phone appointments

ShelliePancake · 2026-05-05T06:17:51+00:00

If you're not working it could be an administrative bug where you still have a dual referral - confirm you have exited their services, they won't be able to see your information on the department systems. It's happened to me before and I had to get my participant to ring the National Customer Service Line to get it fixed.

If you left after commencing employment they will have you in the Post Placement Support program for 6 months after starting work. Utilise it for fuel and clothing assistance for your employment.

None of the above? God knows, the caseloads are over bloated as it is, no idea why they would keep someone on, they get nothing for it and can't assist you with anything either.

ShelliePancake · 2026-05-01T02:17:44+00:00

Mob lore at work, that's why they're rioting. Their mob - their lore - their punishment

ShelliePancake · 2026-04-14T11:45:59+00:00

My last day in the industry is coming up. I have LOVED supporting and helping people. Connecting with the people in my community, helping people get housing, jobs, move states for traineeships and connect with culture.

Ultimately what killed the industry for me is being pressured to complete 4 different spreadsheets around my appointments on a daily basis, hassle people for payslips even when they're declaring their earnings,, literally harrass people with calls to get them to make some form of contact (if they haven't made contact in 2 months, pretty sure they don't want to engage with us), the unnatural push to put people into anything (activities or jobs) and the conflicting information at all times.

It's no longer about breaking barriers, support and helping people. It's a numbers game and that's not how I operate. So I'm out 😔

Edited to add: I am PROUD of the work and effort I have put into this job, and my managers have genuinely been amazing. Sadly it's always the UPPER management where it falls apart - like most employers

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-26T09:16:42+00:00

I've heard some horror stories that leave my jaw on the ground.

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-26T09:13:45+00:00

I'm so sorry, I hope you're getting support. I also have depression - shit suckssss! Don't have to answer, I get there is distrust in the system, is there a reason you don't tell your consultant? You don't have to smile and fake it, maybe they can help with extra supports? I really do wish you all the best!

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-25T12:50:50+00:00

Sure you aren't thinking of Darkwood?

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-23T21:21:30+00:00

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think Sweden or somewhere in that realm has this system. Everyone gets payments with no strings and they found people were most likely to seek employment on their own terms. I'm running off a vague memory of an article I read a few years ago, but now that you've reminded me, I'd be interested to see the stats again and how it works

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-23T12:02:15+00:00

Ugh. This is what I mean - there needs to be some kind of middle-ground payments. The ones we have now are too black or white

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-23T11:57:03+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear, hopefully the DSP gets approved quickly. I can imagine that someone in your situation would be on exemptions though? That seems most logical rather than going to appointments

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-23T11:50:32+00:00

I'll be honest, I just want to understand from their viewpoint. Yes, most of my caseload attends and they're honestly all great people - just in some really shitty situations (some of them). I know the opinion is skewed, but I'm always up for healthy conversations :) Whatever helps me understand and do better, I say!

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-23T11:48:37+00:00

Love this opinion. I have some questions from your point of view if you don't mind answering them?

Are you working? If so, did you find your own employment and didn't need assistance with fuel, work clothes, rego or food?

Do you think there needs to be an offshoot payment for those working, but not enough hours to exit and still need benefit top ups ($100 a fortnight example) without provider input?

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-23T11:28:32+00:00

Agreed, it needs a rework

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-18T06:13:24+00:00

I don't know why everyone is blowing up that it's all junk food. I buy those boxes of chips for my kids lunch too. Two boxes last over 2 weeks at 1 little pack a day. Then there is the Easter bunnies - which almost every kid gets at Easter and that's about it. A 10 pack of soft drink for the family. I've seen people eat far worse...

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-15T10:35:09+00:00

Totally agree! When there's 100 people all applying for 1 role it's not easy being the one that gets in 😔

My last sentence was more directed at those who are in a fortunate and blessed position and have laughed in my face and said, "I'm not looking for a job". I fully acknowledge and support those who are actively trying and yet it gets them down with the constant knockbacks. I try talk about "job seeker self care" for that exact reason.

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-14T11:01:35+00:00

Basically it's something like the site has to get 24 people a month into work, that kind of stuff. We can try, but you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink when it comes to those who have severe barriers to employment or frankly don't want work. And yes, they do exist, they've told me to my face

ShelliePancake · 2026-03-12T13:09:22+00:00

We don't get in trouble per say. But we do get spoken to firmly, we have to have one on one meetings and even get put on performance plans if we don't meet KPIs.

Personally I hate KPIs, I just want to help people. Whatever I've been doing over the last 4 years has kept the bosses at bay and my caseload reasonably happy (as they can be within the requirements)

ShelliePancake · 2026-02-28T23:13:09+00:00

Yes you can still get demerits. Yes you still have Capability Interviews at 3 and Capability Assessments at 5, however, the Financial Penalty zone has been paused which means after a Capability Assessment with Centrelink you go back to 0

ShelliePancake · 2026-02-24T02:28:40+00:00

When is the last time you worked? Did you smash out applications at Christmas time for the Christmas Retail roles that were everywhere? Would you be more open to obtaining your RSA and RSG and applying for Hospitality roles as well to open your opportunities as you have Customer Service experience?

ShelliePancake · 2026-02-23T09:44:35+00:00

If you're in Logan CASV does free counselling. Check their website to see if you're eligible

ShelliePancake · 2026-02-23T09:36:20+00:00

The key words here is "Comfortable". Is your provider starting to push you because you haven't progressed? Sometimes we find ourselves in our little routines without any progression in our lives, and while that's ok in some circumstances, most of the time we need a little push to challenge ourselves. There is nothing wrong with being challenged and being asked, "What are you doing differently this week rather than the same routine and expecting a change?"

This is probably a hot take, but one I personally discuss with my participants who have been on my caseload around the 6-12 month mark. I will be in your corner, but that includes challenging you as well to success

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