Assistance for workers who have been affected by job loss from OneSteel Manufacturing in Whyalla, South Australia.
On this page:
The Whyalla Structural Adjustment Package (SAP) has been established to support workers and families affected by workforce changes resulting from the closure of the Whyalla Steelworks blast furnace in Whyalla, South Australia.
The package provides additional employment, training and transition support to help people move into new jobs, build new skills and stay connected to services during a period of change. The program complements existing Australian Government services and provides extra local support where large-scale workforce impacts have occurred.
Affected workers and their partners can access practical assistance quickly to reduce the risk of long-term unemployment and support the Whyalla community.
There are a range of free programs and support in place to assist workers and communities affected by workforce disruptions and structural change.
Who can access support?
You may be able to access support if you:
- have been retrenched, including contractors, through either loss of contracted employment or substantial reduction of hours, from OneSteel Manufacturing Pty Ltd or an eligible supply chain business.
- provide evidence of retrenchment that includes exit date, such as a retrenchment letter, separation certificate or other documentation confirmed by your employer.
- register with a Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider (Provider) within 6 months of your retrenchment date.
A partner of an affected worker may be eligible if they are:
- the current partner of a person retrenched from Whyalla Steelworks or an eligible supply chain business.
- legally married, in a registered relationship, or in a de facto relationship with the affected worker and be able to provide evidence of this relationship.
- able to provide evidence of their partner’s retrenchment that includes their exit date, such as a retrenchment letter, separation certificate or other documentation confirmed by the employer.
- registered with a Provider within 6 months of their retrenchment date.
You do not need to be eligible for income support (Centrelink) payments or have a referral to access support.
Additional eligibility requirements may apply for some services and activities.
Register for support today
You and/or your partner can register for assistance by completing the form linked below and an Employment Services Consultant will contact you: Support for Whyalla Steelworks and supply chain workers.
What support is available?
Workforce Australia Employment Services Providers (Workforce Australia) can help you look for work and plan your future. To find your nearest provider visit Find a provider (Workforce Australia) or by contacting the Digital Services Contact Centre on 1800 314 677.
| Workforce Australia Employment Services | Workforce Australia is the Australian Government’s employment service. Complete the registration form and an Employment Services Consultant will contact you. | APM Employment Services - Whyalla Workskil Australia – Whyalla |
|---|
Employment support
- explore new job opportunities
- prepare résumés and job applications
- improve interview skills
- connect with local employers
- develop a plan for your next career step
Training and skills development
Support may be available to help you gain new qualifications, licences, tickets or skills needed for employment opportunities in growing industries.
Career planning
Career advice can help you identify how your existing skills and experience can transfer to different industries and occupations. Support is available whether you are looking for similar work or considering an entirely new career path.
| Your Career website | Search industries, occupations and study options to find a career that's right for you and what you can do to get there. | Your Career |
|---|---|---|
| Changing careers | Help with identifying careers or jobs that match your skills and experience. | Job Switch |
Wellbeing and community support
You can be referred to wellbeing services, financial counselling and other community supports to help manage the challenges that can accompany workforce change.
| Centacare Emergency Relief | Centacare Emergency Relief program provides financial assistance to the communities of Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Ceduna and Port Augusta. | Centacare Catholic Country SA 28 Head Street, |
|---|---|---|
| The Salvation Army – Community Support Services | Do you need a friendly face to listen and provide support? Whyalla Community Support Services assesses your needs face to face and provides food, material aid, information and referrals as required. Walk ins available but appointments preferred. | The Salvation Army – Whyalla Corps 5-7 Viscount Slim Avenue |
| Centacare Catholic Country SA (Whyalla) | Centacare provides free and confidential support to individuals, families and workers experiencing stress and financial or personal challenges. | Access support: Call: (08) 8645 8233 or 1800 759 865 Email: whyallaadmin@cccsa.org.au 28 Head Street, Whyalla Stuart SA 5608 Centacare – Catholic Country SA |
| Health and Wellbeing | Losing your job can be a difficult time. Talk to someone about taking care of you and your family’s mental health. | Beyond Blue |
| Small Business Mental Health Coaching | NewAccess for Small Business is a free, confidential mental health coaching program, designed to help small business owners and sole traders manage stress, worry and overwhelm. | Beyond Blue Call: (03) 9250 8305 |
| Foodbank | Find food relief in your area by entering your postcode. | Find Food |
| OzHarvest Australia | Search for services providing food help near you. | Find Food Relief |
| Services Australia (Centrelink) | Services Australia has services and payments to help you if you have lost your job or been made redundant. The assistance available will depend on your individual circumstances. Please note: if you receive a redundancy payment, a waiting period may apply before income support (Centrelink) payments can begin. | To find out what assistance you may be eligible for: Visit: Payment and Service Finder – Centrelink Online Call: 13 28 50 Or visit your nearest Services Australia Service Centre |
| Financial Information Service (FIS) | Services Australia’s Financial Information Service (FIS) helps you make informed decisions about your finances. | Call: 132 300 (Say “Financial Information Service” when prompted). |
| Centrelink | An online tool to see what payments and services you may be eligible for. | Payment and Service Finder – Centrelink Online |
| Redundancy pay and entitlements | The Redundancy Information Statement (RIS) outlines your rights and entitlements when you’ve been retrenched. | Redundancy Information Statement |
| Tax and Retirement | ATO information about redundancy payments. | Redundancy and Early Retirement – ATO |
Workshops and events
Workshops, information sessions, employer events and job fairs designed to connect workers with employment opportunities, support services and practical advice are being developed.
Further details will be updated here when scheduled.
| Event name | Date and time | Address | Event description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worker Information Session | 2 pm on Wednesday 16 September | Whyalla City Council Chambers, 21 Grundel Street, Whyalla Norrie | Free information session to hear about government support and local services available to help you plan your next steps. |
| Centacare Bring Your Bills Day | 10 am to 2 pm on Wednesday 23 September | Whyalla City Council building, Grundel Street, Whyalla Norrie | This event offers opportunities to meet with experts and support services available to help with bills and more information on your consumer rights. |
| Worker Information Session | 2 pm on Wednesday 23 September | Whyalla City Council Chambers, 21 Grundel Street, Whyalla Norrie | Free information session to hear about government support and local services available to help you plan your next steps. |
| Worker Information Session | 2 pm on Wednesday 30 September | Whyalla City Council Chambers, 21 Grundel Street, Whyalla Norrie | Free information session to hear about government support and local services available to help you plan your next steps. |
Register to attend information session: Whyalla Worker Information Sessions: Navigating Job Loss & New Opportunities
Get Started
If you have recently lost your job, are at risk of redundancy, or would like information about available support, contact your local employment services provider or the Local Jobs Job Coordinator.
More information on other support available
| What’s Next? website | A dedicated website for anyone facing job loss, including redundancy. Topics include:
| Have you been retrenched? | What's Next |
|---|---|---|
| South Australian Government | A website from the South Australian Government providing information on localised support available. Topics include:
| Support for businesses and workers impacted by the challenges at the Whyalla Steelworks |
Contact
For any enquiries about employment supports and programs and other services, please email the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations at WhyallaSAP@dewr.gov.au.
Please consider any personal or sensitive information you include, as it may be shared with another government agency or authorised parties.
Support for Whyalla Steelworks employees, contractors and supply chain workers
This flyer outlines the help available to people who have recently lost their job, expect to be retrenched or have a partner that has been affected by job loss in Whyalla, South Australia.
