Returning to work after time away from the workforce can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing the responsibilities of raising children on your own. Learning how to work as a single parent often involves finding flexible roles, building new skills, creating a routine and accessing the right guidance and support.
With the right preparation and guidance, returning to work can be a positive and achievable step forward. In this guide, we share practical tips to help you prepare for employment, explore family-friendly work options and approach your search with confidence, along with real stories from single parents who have successfully re-entered the workforce.
Preparing to Return to Work as a Single Parent
Start preparing for your return to work a few months in advance with these simple steps:
- Reflect on your priorities, including personal development and career direction
- Browse job listings to explore roles that interest you
- Update your skills and identify transferable abilities
- Connect with friends or former colleagues to learn how workplaces have changed
Many single parents tell us that a lack of confidence in their abilities can be a barrier when returning to work. Programs like atWork Australia’s Positivum program help clients strengthen their wellbeing and prepare for employment.
Laura came to atWork Australia during a difficult time. She was going through a family breakdown and adjusting to life as a single mother of two young children. Although she had completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing, Laura wanted to move into a different industry. After spending several years out of the workforce raising her children, she felt unsure about her ability to find employment.
Her Job Coach, Anne, suggested Laura join the Positivum program, an in-house health and wellbeing coaching program designed to support people as they prepare to return to work. Through the program, Laura began rebuilding her confidence and thinking about her future career path.
After completing Positivum, Laura decided to take the next step and enrolled in a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance, working steadily towards her goal of building a career in allied health.
What Are the Best Jobs for Single Parents?
Work is for everyone, including single parents, and it’s important to find the right employer for you. Most employers will consider flexible working arrangements. However, not all roles will suit your personal needs. Many parents find that certain roles provide more flexibility around family responsibilities. Some of the best jobs for single parents include:
- Education support roles with school-based hours
- Administration positions with predictable schedules
- Customer service roles that offer part-time or remote work
- Self-employment or small business opportunities
Here are three examples of how clients have found family-friendly work with the right support.
Search for Flexible Roles Like Paramjeet
Paramjeet became a single parent following the sudden loss of her husband. With English as her second language and limited education and employment experience in Australia, she was concerned about how she would support her family financially.
Working with her atWork Australia Job Coach, Anne, and the Gosnells team, Paramjeet began building her skills and self-belief while exploring employment options that suited her family responsibilities.
Anne recommended the Best Version of Me course, which helped Paramjeet gain greater clarity about her career direction.
After completing the course, Paramjeet began working towards a future role as an education assistant, drawn to the flexible school-based hours.
Create your own opportunities like Lorena
Lorena, a single mother of two, had recently moved to the small town of Mount Barker in Western Australia’s Great Southern Wheatbelt. With no nearby family and limited options that fit around school hours, finding work was challenging.
Through Workforce Australia, Lorena connected with her atWork Australia Job Coach, Tipheny. Together, they created a plan to help Lorena build skills, manage her responsibilities and explore realistic employment options.
Tipheny referred Lorena to the Local Jobs Foundations program, where she developed practical skills such as time management. The program helped Lorena realise she could balance study, running her household and part-time work — an important step in learning how to work as a single parent.
During this time, Lorena also shared her ambition to become self-employed. As an Indigenous woman with a strong connection to land, she is exploring a business idea in the farming and agriculture industry, showing that some of the best jobs for single parents can come from creating your own opportunities.
Think outside the box like Tamyka
Tamyka, a 28-year-old mother, had been out of the workforce for five years while caring for her children. With limited work experience and the need for flexible hours, returning to work felt challenging.
She connected with her Job Coach, Mary, at the Workforce Australia Corrimal office in NSW. At first, Tamyka was interested in working in hospitality, believing the flexible hours would suit her caring responsibilities. However, she was worried about the cost of getting the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification required for many hospitality roles.
Mary explained that atWork Australia could financially support her to complete the RSA, removing a major barrier and helping Tamyka feel more confident about starting her search.
While exploring employment opportunities, Tamyka came across a pet grooming role. With her love for animals and hours that fit well around her family commitments, the position turned out to be an even better match.
‘The financial assistance, support and encouragement in my employment journey have made a big difference,’ said Tamyka.
Tips for Finding Work
When learning how to work as a single parent, these practical tips can help you stay organised and make your employment search more effective.
- Set aside dedicated time each day to focus on applications and research
- Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application
- Research companies you would like to work for and check their careers pages
- Search online job boards such as seek.com.au
- Access the hidden job market by networking and approaching businesses directly
- Practise your interview skills
- Seek support from a Job Coach
Get the Support You Need
Returning to work as a single parent can feel challenging, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Job Coaches at atWork Australia work with you to create a personalised plan that supports your education, training and employment goals while considering your family responsibilities.
We can help you build confidence, develop new skills and connect with local services and employers who understand the importance of flexible work. Our team can also help you explore opportunities that may suit your lifestyle, including some of the best jobs for single parents that offer flexibility and long-term career growth.
Through programs such as Workforce Australia and Inclusive Employment Australia, we support parents at every stage of their journey back to work. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact atWork Australia on 1300 080 856 to learn how we can support you.