You cannot apply for a Work and Development Order on your own. It goes through an approved sponsor, and finding one is the step where most applications stall. House of Sadaqa is an approved sponsor operating in south-west Sydney: House of Sadaqa WDO page.
Who can be a WDO sponsor?
Approved community organisations and health practitioners. Revenue NSW describes a sponsor as a community organisation or health practitioner operating in your local area, and organisations can apply to become one.
Does my sponsor have to be close to where I live?
Practically, yes, if you are doing voluntary work, because you have to physically get there regularly. For treatment or counselling activities your existing health provider may already be a sponsor, which is worth checking first.
Could my own doctor or counsellor sponsor me?
Possibly. Health practitioners can be approved sponsors, and if you are already engaged in treatment that activity may itself count. Ask the person already treating you before looking further afield.
What should I ask when I first make contact?
Whether they are currently taking new WDO participants, which activity types they can supervise, what days and hours they run, and how quickly they can lodge an application. Capacity varies and some sponsors have waiting periods.
Does the sponsor decide if I am eligible?
No. The sponsor helps assess and lodge your application, but Revenue NSW makes the decision.
Is there a cost?
No. A WDO involves no fee, and a sponsor should not be charging you to participate.
House of Sadaqa takes WDO participants into warehouse work, community programs and events, and is also a Work for the Dole host. Start at the House of Sadaqa WDO page, or get independent guidance from Legal Aid NSW.