Get to know: Vocational Coaching

A pivotal year for Vocational Coaching

Over the past six months, the team of navigators and coordinators has taken 307 referrals, placed 103 carers into employment, education, training and micro credentials and reached 120 employers through Carer Inclusive Workplace resources with more great work to come in 2026.

We spoke with Vocational Placement Coordinator Mark Kimmorley about the program’s impact and what’s ahead.

What is Vocational Coaching and why does this service matter to you?

The Vocational Coaching team connects our program with employers, community, training and volunteering organisations; we work with them on how they can become carer inclusive and work with our carers.

We also promote our program and assist carers in returning to the workforce, gaining employment, deciding on training, volunteering or education.

I come from a disability employment services background and this service means a lot to me because I know how crucial it is for carers to gain employment or education alongside their caring duties.

How do you help carers turn their caring experience into career confidence?

Many carers coming into our program may not have worked for years and many times they lack confidence. They say, “All I’ve been doing is caring, maybe I should do a Certificate IV in aged care or individual support”, and that’s great – if it’s something you’re genuinely interested in, but we want to support them in their genuine interests.

Being a carer, you’ve had to organise medications, appointments, schedules and arranging all sorts of activities – those are great transferable skills that can be put into other roles. We’re always encouraging those that want to seek what else is out there.

Who can benefit from the Vocational Coaching and Pathway services?

The program is for carers who are curious about returning to work, entering work for the first time, exploring education, training or volunteering, even if they’re not sure if they’re ready.

Many carers come to us feeling unsure, overwhelmed or disconnected from their goals after years of caring, but this program meets them exactly where they’re at, whether they just started to explore their ideas or moving forward.

How can people access Vocational Coaching?

If they’re already registered within Carer Gateway services and they’re participating in another program (coaching, in-person peer support, counselling) they only have to ask for a referral to our program.

If they’re not in a program but are registered with Carer Gateway, they can contact us and ask for a referral to our program.

If they’re not registered with Carer Gateway, they can call intake and registration on 1800 422 737 and ask to be referred to our program.

What’s the process after referral?

We’re going to meet carers where they’re at, after referral they’ll be contacted within the week by a vocational navigator for an exploration chat, followed by a commencement form to identify goals and create an action plan.

We talk to them about the variety of coaching sessions that we have; the sessions can explore the strengths of the carer, transferable skills, lived experience gained through caring, identifying pathways into employment, building confidence and readiness to take the next step, practical skill building – resumes, interviews, presentation skills, navigating technology and more.

Carers can join the guided coaching programs or access individual sessions focused on what they need right now.

How has the program been received for the last six months?

In the last six months we’ve supported over 300 carers that have joined our service, which is incredibly exciting and we’ve had 103 placements in employment, education, training and micro credentials.

Why should carers take that next step and go into the Vocational Coaching program?

I would encourage them to take the step and understand that this is not a run-of-the-mill employment service.

What makes us unique is that we’re not outcome-driven, one-size-fits-all, no pressure to move straight into employment, instead we take a coaching approach that’s personalised, flexible and carer-led.

What are the team’s plans for 2026?

Our goal is to continue to grow the program and support as many carers as possible. We want to increase referrals, placements and carer-inclusive employers — and ultimately see more carers feeling confident and successful