Get Back in the Game
Get Back in the Game is a personalised one-on-one support program for disengaged young people aged 15 to 21 to help them into education, training or employment.
Participants in the GBIG program can expect personalised, one-on-one support from dedicated, locally-based staff who will work with them to develop a Career Transition Plan tailored to their goals. The program offers practical guidance and assistance to help individuals explore and access suitable education, training, or employment opportunities.
Get Back in the Game program eligibility
The Get Back in the Game program has two parts for young people. 'Get in the Game' helps those who are not involved in work, school, or training. 'Back in the Game' assists students who need support to stay in school or move on to work or training.
Get in the Game
For a young person to be eligible to participate in the Get in the Game program, they must meet the following eligibility criteria.
Participants must:
- be 15-21 years old
- be a resident in the Service Area
- no longer be at school
- not enrolled in any school; or
- with a 42-day attendance exemption in place at the time of enrolment; or
- who have had no attendance at school in the 3 months prior to enrolment in Get in the Game;
- not be enrolled in any post-school education or training
- not be working more than 8 hours per week; and·
- not be a current, active participant in any Commonwealth, NSW or any other program or service supporting youth transitions to work or study.
Back in the Game
For a young person to be eligible to participate in the Back in the Game program, they must meet the following eligibility criteria.
Participants must:
- be 15-19 years old;
- be a student enrolled in, and referred by, one of the participating schools; and
- not be a current, active participant in any Commonwealth, NSW or any other program or service supporting youth transitions to work or study.
Participating service providers
Through the Get Back in the Game program, the following service providers are currently supporting young people with career mentoring, pathway planning, and connections to training and employment opportunities—including apprenticeships and traineeships.
Local provider: Enterprise Plus
Offices in: Canberra, Queanbeyan, Goulburn, Moss Vale and Wollongong
SA4 region: Capital, Illawarra, Southern and Shoalhaven
Program Manager: Amie Baard
Contact Email: GBIG@enterpriseplus.org.au
Contact Phone: 02 6297 3121
Website: www.enterpriseplus.org.au/
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local Provider: The Skill Engineer Ltd.
Offices in: Tuggerah
Region: Central Coast
Program Manager: Petrina Waddell
Contact Email: petrina.waddell@theskillengineer.com.au
Contact Phone : 0482 163 665, Office: (02) 4304 3031
Website: www.theskillengineer.com.au
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local provider: Skillset
Offices in: Broken Hill, Bathurst, Mudgee, Orange and Dubbo
SA4 region: Central West
Program Manager: Ben Ruddy
Contact Email: youthconnect@skillset.com.au
Contact Phone: 1300 853 525
Website: skillset.com.au/employment-career-development/youth-career-counselling/
Delivering: Get in the Game only
Local Provider: Skillset
Region: Far West and Orana
Offices in: Broken Hill, Bathurst, Mudgee, Orange, Dubbo
Program Manager: Ben Ruddy
Contact Email: youthconnect@skillset.com.au
Contact Phone: 1300 853 525
Website: skillset.com.au/employment-career-development/youth-career-counselling/
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local provider: Mid Coast Connect
Offices in: Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Taree
SA4 region: Mid North Coast
Program Manager: Jenny Fraser
Contact Email: information@midcoastconnect.com.au
Contact Phone: 02 6583 5910
Website: midcoastconnect.com.au/
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local Provider: Career Links
Offices in: Mayfield
Regions: Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley
Program Manager: Kerri Sadler
Contact Email: GBIG@careerlinks.nsw.edu.au
Contact Phone: 02 4967 1050
Website: www.careerlinks.nsw.edu.au
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local provider: Careers Network
Offices in: Tamworth, Armidale, Moree, Inverell and Narrabri
SA4 region: New England and North West
Program Manager: Debbie Taekata
Contact Email: info@careersnetwork.org.au
Contact Phone: 02 6763 4800
Website: www.careersnetwork.org.au/
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local provider: Connect Northern Rivers
Offices in: Coffs Harbour, Grafton, Lismore and Tweed Heads
SA4 region: Coffs Harbour - Grafton, Richmond-Tweed
Program Manager: Aron Hayman
Contact Email: info@connectnr.com
Contact Phone: 1300 183 352
Website: connectnr.com/wio/
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Local Provider: Yourtown
Region: Outer West and Blue Mountains
Offices in: St Marys
Program Manager: Sue Watson
Contact Email: getbackinthegame@yourtown.com.au
Contact Phone: 0402 965 622
Website: yourtown.com.au/employment
Delivering: Back in the Game
Local Provider: Compact
Region: Riverina
Offices in: Wagga , Albury , Harden , Griffith
Program Manager: Courtney Johnson
Contact Email: courtney.johnson@compact.org.au
Contact Phone : 0428 639 879 or 6931 9300
Website: www.compact.org.au
Delivering: Back in the Game
Local provider: Yourtown
Offices in: St Marys and Campbelltown
SA4 region: Sydney – Parramatta, Sydney – Blacktown, Sydney – South West
Program Manager: Sue Watson
Contact Email: getbackinthegame@yourtown.com.au
Contact Phone: 0402 965 622
Website: www.yourtown.com.au/employment
Delivering: Get in the Game and Back in the Game
Resources
Case studies
Read how the GBIG support program has changed peoples lives for the better.
Logan, an 18-year-old referred to the Get Back in the Game service provider Mid Coast Connect, had not completed his Year 10 Record of School Achievement (RoSA) and faced limited local opportunities for further education.
Upon joining the Get in the Game program, he received support to enroll in a Certificate II in Work and Vocation Pathways, helping him achieve a Year 10 equivalent—a key step toward his goal of securing a hands-on apprenticeship.
Logan was also assisted in obtaining essential documents like a Tax File Number and Medicare card, and he completed a successful work experience placement with J R Richards, aided by financial support for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Despite transportation and financial challenges, Logan has shown strong commitment and work ethic, impressing his host employer and gaining valuable skills.
He is now working toward completing his training and pursuing apprenticeship opportunities, with continued mentoring and support from Mid Coast Connect.
In late 2023, after being disengaged from school for two years, 16-year-old Warren was referred to the Get Back in the Game program with Workplace Learning.
With limited literacy, social skills, and no essential work documents, he expressed a clear desire to enter the workforce instead of returning to school.
Through consistent rapport-building and support, the program helped Warren obtain necessary items like a Tax File Number and bank account, build a resume, and pursue work experience.
After impressing at an interview with Protek Pty Ltd, Warren secured full-time employment and began working with enthusiasm. Workplace Learning continued to support Warren towards additional credentials like a white card and photo ID.
Warren has shown significant personal growth, confidence, and independence, now thriving in a role that aligns with his goals.
Gianna, an 18-year-old who completed Year 12 through an Indigenous program, joined the GBIG program with Connect Northern Rivers, unsure of her career path but eager to pursue full-time work and a future in a trade. Despite setbacks like losing everything in the 2022 Lismore Flood, Gianna remained motivated.
With the help of her Case Manager, she completed her Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG), picked up casual bar work, and ultimately discovered a passion for mechanics rooted in time spent with her father. Together, they found a mechanic apprenticeship with Lismore Toyota.
The program supported her in gaining her P2 license, preparing her resume and interview skills, and purchasing work gear and tools. Just five weeks after enrolling, Gianna secured the apprenticeship and now thrives in a role she loves.
She continues to express deep gratitude for the program, which helped her take confident steps toward a stable, fulfilling career.
“Dear Program Coordinators,
I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible support one of your team members has given to my daughter through the Get Back in the Game program.
Not long ago, we were in a very worrying place, unsure of what the future might hold. But thanks to this staff member’s dedication, encouragement, and unwavering belief in my daughter, she is now enrolled in TAFE and looking forward to a bright and exciting future.
The impact has been truly life-changing, and as a very grateful parent, I just want to celebrate the difference this support has made. Their kindness, guidance, and commitment have opened doors that once felt out of reach, and I cannot thank them enough. My daughter has a unique personality, but your team member managed to reach her and brought her out of a dark, lonely, and extremely solemn phase of her life.
It’s truly amazing what they have been able to achieve.
Please pass on my heartfelt appreciation.
Sincerely,
A Grateful Parent”
Support and contact
For any questions about the Get Back in the Game program for your local region, please contact your local service provider.
For any Department-level enquiries about the Get Back in the Game program, please contact: GBIG@det.nsw.edu.au