Jobs in Melbourne
Over 50 and out of work for a while? Or just looking to earn some extra income in your early retirement years?
workingconnections, the jobmatching arm of ARPA Over 50s Association, is looking for people to fill several roles with a large self-storage business.
The roles, which include three assistant managers, two casual relief managers and one person to train as an assistant manager, require some weekend work. They are based in Melbourne’s inner western and eastern suburbs.
To find out more, email Grace Johnston at or phone (03) 9650 6144 on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday
Where’s the work?
It is all very well to suggest Australians work on past retirement age, but is there any guarantee they will get a job and who is going to hire them?
Our snapshot web poll tells us that 85 per cent of our visitors do not believe work is available for those wishing to work beyond an early retirement age and only 15 per cent believe the jobs are there. One of our visitors took the time to share her experience job hunting.
Thank you for bringing our plight to the media's attention. In fact I was hoping to get something going on the forum and go from there. Despite what we read and hear, all baby boomers are not doing retirement easily especially women, whose careers were often interrupted to raise a family. And not all of us were public servants with the luxury of employer contributions to super before SGF became law. Yet we all paid our taxes some of which was used for public service superannuation. I do not begrudge that, I simply wish the government would recognise the fact.
I am fit and healthy in my mid-50s with many administrative skills and a strong work history. I am not a self-funded retiree (circumstances beyond my control) and need and want to work. I am living in North East Victoria and am willing to travel up to 60 kms to work. I have succeeded to interview in four positions in the past six months. I had the required skills and experience in all cases but was not successful in the end.
I am sure I handled the interviews well and apart from one of them (see below) I came away believing the job would be mine. This is the story of the interview referred to as 'see below'. I had a very good telephone interview and was invited to attend in person. Once again I thought that this one would be mine. When I arrived for the interview, the receptionist offered me a cup of tea and then went into the glass office nearby and alerted the manager to my arrival. When he looked over towards me I saw his chin drop until it almost hit the desk. (I don't have two heads!!!) I'm sure that though he was the same age as me, I was not the idea of what he wanted 'decorating' his office.
He kept me waiting for some 10 minutes during which time I noticed that there was no-one else in the building over 30 (apart of course from the owner and little old me) and that the men and women were all beautiful trendy young things. I would have fitted in with them I know, but already felt that I would not get this job no matter how well the interview went.
With each rejection, I lose a little more self-confidence and fret about my future.
It would be good to hear from women and men who find themselves in a similar predicament and to share ongoing experiences in our quests for meaningful work. What are the prospects like in the city?
Why Employ Mature Workers?
As the average age of our workers increases, employers can benefit from hiring our most valuable resource: the experienced worker. A trained older workforce becomes more vital to our economy with every passing day.
Employers will find that older workers have a strong work ethic, are dependable and possess versatile work experiences.
Veterans have not only served their country, but they can bring a wealth of experience to a job.
Older employees:
- understand the importance of customer service;
- respond positively to new technology;
- are innovative;
- exhibit good judgement;
- are less likely to be involved in work related accidents;
- offer improving quality of work with age;
- are as productive as younger workers (there is little, if any, decline of productivity with age);
- are committed to their employers;
- generally have lower training costs because of existing skills and lower turnover;
- may have extensive corporate knowledge, which should not be wasted;
- demonstrate excellent attendance; and
- are likely to stay on a long-term basis.
Age Discrimination IllegalWith the Federal Government's passing of the Age Discrimination Bill 2003 in June 2004, employers are no longer able to discriminate on the basis of age. There is now an enforceable remedy in federal law for people who suffer discrimination on the basis of their age.
Financial assistanceThe Federal Government provides a number of incentives to encourage older people to continue working:
- Pension Bonus Scheme. This scheme provides a tax-free lump sum for people who voluntarily defer claiming Age or Service Pension. To get the benefit you have to register and continue to work for at least 12 months. The bonus is paid when you finally retire and receive a pension. You should register within 13 weeks of meeting the requirements. For details of registration, eligibility, payment and other matters check this Centrelink site:
Go there - The Pension Income Test has provision for you to have income from employment and other sources, such as investments and interest, and still receive the pension. There are adjustments every September and March. There is a Centrelink table showing what income you can have and still receive a full pension or part pension:
Go there - Senior Australians Tax Offset allows eligible people to earn more income before they pay tax and the Medicare levy. In some cases it will result in a person no longer having to lodge a tax return. For more information, go to this Australian Tax Office site:
Go there
Special programs for mature workers
Jobwise is an Australian Government website dedicated to promoting mature age employment.
Go there
Australian WorkPlace will help you find information on employment, workplace relations, government assistance, jobs, careers, training and wages.
Go there
Centrelink Assistance
- Centrelink has a fact sheet with information for people on the Mature Age Allowance, Partner Allowance, Widow Allowance and Newstart Allowance to get more help to improve their job prospects, learn new skills or get involved in their communities in some way.
Go there - If you have a disability there are a number of Centrelink services to help you look for work.
Go there - Centrelink also provides a range of self-help facilities called Employment Self Help for all job seekers. These facilities, in the public contact area of Centrelink Customer Service Centres, include computers, photocopiers, resume builders, telephones and fax machines, newspapers, career and job search information, and more.
- The Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) may be of assistance to some who are studying full-time or part-time. It is a non-taxable payment which does not have an income or asset test. To qualify, you must be receiving one of these payments from Centrelink: Parenting Payment (Single); Disability Support Pension; Carer Payment; Special Benefit (as a sole parent); Widow B Pension; Widow Allowance; or Wife Pension. Some who receive a payment from the Department of Veterans' Affairs may also be able to get the supplement.
Go there
Department of Veterans' Affairs
- The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) helps eligible veterans, with or without a disability, who need special assistance to obtain or hold suitable paid employment. The scheme is free to eligible veterans. The scheme can also assist those veterans who currently receive a T&PI pension, an Intermediate Rate of pension (able to work part time or half time), or an Invalidity Service Pension, and want to return to paid work or increase their hours of paid employment, without losing their pension entitlements.
Go there - Military Compensation & Rehabilitation Service (MCRS) can help rehabilitate you to find suitable work if you are injured or develop an illness that can be linked to your service in the Australian Defence Force.
Go there - Conservation Volunteers Australia operate the Green Reserve program. If you are between 35 and 65 and receive the Newstart Allowance you can work for two-days-a-week for 26 weeks on conservation projects in rural and urban areas throughout Australia. A fortnightly supplement is paid.
Go there
COTA offers free one-day workshops to help mature age workers look for work.
Go there.
jobWise is a federal government website for mature age people looking for work. There are links to information about jobs all over Australia, plus information about training and career choices.
Go there
workingconnections is an employment 'matchmaker' connecting experienced workseekers with employers offering work on a permanent, casual, or contract basis. workingconnections is operated by the ARPA Over 50s Association Ltd, an Australian not-for-profit benefits and services member association.
Go there.
