The most common reason people never apply for a Work and Development Order is that they assume it is only for people in severe financial hardship. It is not. NSW sets out six separate pathways, and you only need to meet one of them. Plenty of people who qualify through a different pathway never find out. If you think one applies to you, start at the House of Sadaqa WDO page.
What are the six eligibility pathways?
You may be eligible if you are experiencing any one of: serious or acute financial hardship; a mental health condition or mental illness; an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment; homelessness; an alcohol or other substance use disorder; or you are under 18.
Do I need to meet more than one?
No. One is enough. You do not need to be in financial hardship as well as everything else, and the pathways are not ranked.
I have a mental health condition but I am working. Can I still apply?
Being employed does not by itself rule you out if you qualify through the mental health pathway. Eligibility is assessed on your circumstances overall, and an approved sponsor or a financial counsellor can help you work out where you sit.
What if I am currently couch-surfing rather than sleeping rough?
Homelessness is broader than rough sleeping and includes insecure or temporary accommodation. If your housing is not stable, it is worth raising with a sponsor rather than assuming you do not qualify.
Does having some assets disqualify me?
For the financial hardship pathway, Legal Aid NSW notes you generally need to show hardship and that you do not hold substantial assets. The other five pathways are assessed on their own terms.
Who decides if I am eligible?
Revenue NSW makes the decision, but applications are made through an approved sponsor, who helps assess and support your application. House of Sadaqa is an approved sponsor.
If any one of the six pathways sounds like your situation, it is worth a conversation. House of Sadaqa is an approved WDO sponsor in Sydney and can take you through it. Start at the House of Sadaqa WDO page. Eligibility criteria on this page come from Revenue NSW and Legal Aid NSW; Revenue NSW makes the final decision on every application.