Don’t let a criminal record hold you back

The Success Works program is designed for women affected by the criminal justice system who are committed to securing employment, have stable housing and are actively addressing any health and addiction concerns. Watch our video to find out more.


The Success Works program will help you to develop a pathway to self-reliance and empowerment through transitional support, professional development workshops, professional styling advice and provision of suitable clothing and mentoring both before and after securing employment. This pathway also includes introduction to employment opportunities offered through our employer partnership program. If you are recently released or you have been in the community for some time, we would like to hear from you.

Referral

You can be referred to Success Works by parole officers, correctional centre officers, Workforce Australia agencies and support services. You can also self-refer.

About us

Success Works is staffed by several women who have also been affected by the criminal justice system. We know what its like to go through this and we are here to help.

How the program works

Step 1

You meet with a Success Works staff member who ascertains your readiness for program participation, shares experiences and provides encouragement.

Step 2

You commit to regular engagement with the program including our job readiness workshops.

Step 3

You may take part in the Dress for Success Dressing Program and receive clothing for job interviews and employment.

Step 4

Once your commitment is established, you are matched with a mentor as you undertake your professional development obligations. On completion you are put forward by staff for suitable positions, usually with partner employers.

Step 5

Your mentor will continue to support you when you start employment and follow you through the early months of employment.

Step 6

Congratulations you have completed the program!

Testimonials

Read stories from some of our past candidates

This organisation is really about helping women get back on their feet and helping them get employment generally. I just thought it was a miracle that you could book appointments and workshops and I’m just like, “oh my God somebody that I can talk to”. So, I emailed straight away and I got an email back within two hours and then a phone call from Eleni that runs the program who is just this amazing woman.

Success Works Candidate

That gave me just so much hope that I could get through this. I was feeling pretty suicidal before all of this. I’d ruined my life. In every way, I’d destroyed everything that I had worked for. My career, everything. It was the first time I actually felt I can get through this and there’ll be some help there and it’s help with just that non-judgement.

Success Works Candidate

Having Eleni having come out of the system is brilliant. You need to have somebody that you identify with. That was the thing that made me actually just really buck up and go okay, I can do this because knowing other people have done it. Success Works without that I wouldn’t be thinking like this. I would be under the blanket. I could barely get out of bed each day.

Success Works Candidate

I thought they know how I feel and that gave me the confidence to actually apply for jobs. I would have put it off until the bracelet (electronic ankle tag) came off, and then I would have been out six months and then I think my confidence would have got worse, and it would have been a bigger step to climb. So, I think for me, that whole Success Works program… that gave me the confidence.

Success Works Candidate

I am doing everything I can to move on. These barriers keep popping up and won’t allow me to move on.

Success Works Candidate

For me, the Success Works program was the first glimmer of hope where I felt I could talk to someone who understood how I was feeling and where I was at in my head. Because I didn’t know how to ask people, what are the barriers? You get a cold sentence and some guidelines from your probation officer, but that’s the justice system, they want to punish you as much as they can.

Success Works Candidate

If it hadn’t been for Eleni, no way in hell would I have applied for any work until this bracelet (electronic ankle tag) was off. So she gave me the confidence, and she’s the one that’s running Success Works. She’s the person that gave me the confidence to do it. So I’m working now because of her.

Success Works Candidate

I think going to Success Works gave me the confidence. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I thought they know how I feel and giving me the confidence to actually apply for jobs, I would have put it off until the bracelet (electronic ankle tag) came off, and then I would have been out for six months and then I think my confidence would have got worse, and it would have been a bigger step to climb. So I think for me, the whole Success Works program, that gave me the confidence.

Success Works Candidate

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