On a Saturday in June, in the sunshine of Rockhampton in Central Queensland, FW Founder Helen McCabe welcomed recipients of the Women’s Career Grant to discuss returning to the workforce and the true cost of a fresh start. 

Co-hosting the gathering was Queensland Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security Fiona Simpson, with Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland also in attendance.

This was a rare and vital opportunity to speak candidly about the unique economic pressures, isolation and barriers faced by women living in rural, regional and remote Australia trying to re-enter the paid workforce.

The barriers regional women face are backed by sobering statistics. In Queensland, 1 in 5 regional women report poor or very poor access to technology and the internet. Compounding this digital divide is an isolating professional landscape: only 18 per cent of rural and regional women feel connected to a professional network, and just 17 per cent feel connected to their peers.

Rockhampton mum-of-two Ranaida knows the reality of these statistics, sharing her difficulty in securing work as the modern job market moved entirely online. “I tried everything I knew to get a job. Calling didn’t work and they don’t want walk-ins, it’s mostly emails now. Am I old school for doing that?”

Members of Parliament, Women’s Career Grant recipients, FW Founder Helen McCabe and FW members together in Rockhampton.

To help women like Ranaida break down these barriers, FW partnered with the Queensland Government in 2025 to deliver the Women’s Career Grants, one-off funding of up to $4,999 per recipient to cover expenses associated with re-entering the workforce. These expenses include new workwear, childcare, training, certifications, commutes to interview, tools, technology and even relocation. 

FW’s $20 million partnership with the QLD Government also extends to delivering FW Jobs Academy – a year-long virtual program designed to equip members with the skills and confidence to re-enter paid employment – to thousands of women across the state over the next four years.

The Grant’s initial rollout was met with overwhelming demand from thousands of women across the state, proving just how deeply this support is needed.

“It was great to be on the ground in regional Queensland and meet some of the women who have benefited from the Women’s Career Grants,” reflected McCabe. 

“We saw firsthand how the Grant is changing their lives.”

Ranaida admits she was “ready to give up” before discovering the Grant. The funding allowed her to purchase a laptop and a tablet, giving her a dedicated and portable space to study and apply for jobs. 

Today, she has successfully secured a role at a local state school.

“The Grant helped us a lot,” Ranaida said. “Spending money on technology, my uniform, shoes, working certifications… It’s expensive.”

“I just feel so happy. Happy that I will be part of the community, happy that I get to share what I can offer and study.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to come as far as I have without the Women’s Career Grant,”

For other women, the grant is a ticket into essential regional industries that previously felt financially out of reach. Katrina, a local mother of five, is utilising her grant to pivot into Central Queensland’s mining sector. 

“When I found the ad on Facebook, I thought it was too good to be true, but it wasn’t,” Katrina said. She is currently using the funding to become a certified dump truck driver in the Queensland mines, expressing her relief at receiving financial support to cover costs of up to $1,000 per qualification just to be eligible for hire.

“I wouldn’t have been able to come as far as I have without the Women’s Career Grant,” she added. “It has helped me get my foot in the door in the mines a lot quicker than it would have been if I had to do it myself.”

Minister for Women Fiona Simpson described the recipients as truly inspiring and noted how critical targeted regional support remains for the government.

“Our Women’s Career Grants, delivered in partnership with FW, are breaking down barriers and providing cost-of-living relief to help women with the essentials to get back into paid work,” Minister Simpson said. 

With more rounds of funding on the horizon, the impact of the program is only set to expand to assist even more families across regional hubs and rural communities.

“More than 2,000 Queensland women – in both regional and metropolitan areas – have received support through the first two rounds of Women’s Career Grants,” explained Minister Simpson. 

“I’m excited to launch further funding rounds in the near future.”