Bike for the dole What is bike for the dole?Bike for the dole is an initiative of the Australian Bicycle Council that is utilising the Work For the Dole (WFD) program and network of providers to promote cycling. Top of Page
Who operates work for the dole projects?
Community Work Coordinators (CWCs) are contracted by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to deliver the WFD program. Its aim is to provide work experience for unemployed people. CWCs are contracted to find suitable sponsors and develop projects with them that: - meet the needs of the local community
- monitor and support the progress of the participants during their placement
- support participants on completion of the project
- provide the services on a cost effective basis.
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How do work for the dole projects get funded?
Your local CWC is a mandatory partner in Work for the Dole projects. CWCs are responsible for approving WFD activity applications. They work with a broad range of not-for profit community organisations or Local Governments to identify WFD activities and to develop project applications and associated budgets. Discussions with the CWC will help to determine the level of involvement that partners wish to have. Projects usually operate for a minimum of six months, must provide an additional or extended service that would not proceed without WFD funding and not displace full, part time or casual workers. Examples of bike for the dole type projectsSome Examples of Eligible Cycling WFD Project Activities (based on past successful projects) are as follows: - Surveys of bicycle and pedestrian usage of existing and new facilities
- Mapping of safe bicycle routes and linkages to cycleways
- Evaluation of cycle plans for continuity and connectivity with other modes
- Planning and construction of cycleways for utility and recreational cycling needs
- Enhancement of cycleways such as signage, rest areas, tables and bicycle parking
- Adaptive reuse of existing infrastructure such as the conversion of redundant rail corridors to bicycle trails
- Cycling Events, especially those that address social inclusion
- Recycling bicycles, with the bicycles provided to those in need. Team leaders with extensive experience in bicycle maintenance will be required in these projects and they can include sale of scrap metal, accessories and bike parts.
Some sample project descriptions of Work for the Dole projects that involve cycling are available here. Watch this web site for more! For a full draft description of the Bike for the Dole proposal, click here. Further information about work for the doleTo find further information on WFD, go to http://www.workplace.gov.au/, click on Work for the Dole. To find your nearest Local Community Work Coordinator and a copy of the Sponsor Handbook, after clicking on Work for the Dole, click on Information for Job Seekers, then Contact Details, then Community Work Coordinator contact details, then select the state or territory you are after and click on Submit. Alternatively, you can ring the Employment Services Information Line on 13 62 68 or email work.for.the.dole.2000@dewr.gov.au or write to Work for the Dole Programme (Location GC63), Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, GPO Box 9879, CANBERRA ACT 2601 Bike for the dole trialsIf you have a project that supports cycling and you are looking for a way to make it happen then consider contacting your local CWC to discuss the possibility of developing a Bike/Work for the Dole application. If you decide to run a Bike for the Dole project then also please consider contacting the Australian Bicycle Council, email abc@austroads.com.au, so that what you do can be documented and included as one of its Bike for the Dole Case Studies. Good case studies will be featured on this web site. The proforma for the Case Studies is available here. Top of Page |
