The Andrews Labor Government is creating new jobs in 13 key community organisations which will help people most affected by the pandemic, including women, young people, people with disability and Aboriginal Victorians.

As part of the Government’s $500 million Working for Victoria fund, a further 178 jobs are being created across metropolitan and regional communities including eight jobs at McCallum Disability Services in Ballarat.

People with disabilities have been unable to participate in their everyday lives during coronavirus and the new jobs with McCallum Disability Services will help them and their families return to their daily activities, work and access disability support services in a safe way.

These roles will also help to support more people with disability and their families access services through an app that will help them to chat directly with the service and get information on programs and services offered.

The roles will also create job opportunities for people with disabilities by working with Ballarat and St Arnaud businesses.

In communities across the state, the jobs will help organisations manage the surge in demand for services due to the effects of coronavirus. This includes additional workers allowing community organisations to provide food relief to vulnerable people, outreach to multicultural communities and direct support to young people and their families.

Save the Children will be able to expand services to young people, children and families who have experienced increased levels of anxiety and family and domestic violence concerns. They will also be able to expand their in-school psychosocial program to children and young people impacted by bushfires and coronavirus.

Sustain: The Australian Food Network will provide training and work to people with disability, newly arrived migrants and refugees to fast-track the expansion of the Melbourne Food Hub and the Cardina Community Food Hub to source produce directly from small local producers.

Working for Victoria has already partnered with more than 80 community organisations to create more than 1,500 jobs in organisations providing critical community services across metropolitan and regional Victoria.

Since launching last April, Working for Victoria has created more than 12,000 jobs, including supporting people who have lost their jobs due to the impacts of coronavirus. For more information or to register for Working for Victoria go to vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria.

Quote attributable to Minister for Employment Jaala Pulford

“Working for Victoria is a great program that supports people back into work and delivers for the community by backing organisations that provide vital services.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“McCallum Disability Services is a real Ballarat success story and it’s fantastic that this funding will provide more opportunities for people with a disability to find rewarding work.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“These new jobs will create local work opportunities for people in the Ballarat community giving people the chance to get back on their feet and help some of our most vulnerable community members.”