Opportunity Pathways Social Impact Investment
The Opportunity Pathways – Social Impact Investment (OP-SII) is a trial program based on Opportunity Pathways (a three year initiative under Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW). It aims to help people receiving social housing assistance to access education, training and work.
About the program
The Opportunity Pathways – Social Impact Investment (OP-SII) is a voluntary program that supports social housing tenants, Rent Choice recipients and applicants on the NSW Housing Register (and household members of these groups).
The program helps clients gain and retain employment through access to tailored case management support, training, education and employment opportunities.
You may be interested in the OP-SII if you:
- are not working
- are seeking a job
- want to work more hours or
- want to improve your employment situation.
The NSW Government has partnered with local OP-SII providers that can support you to work towards your employment goals and greater housing independence (if it’s appropriate for your situation).
The previous Opportunity Pathways program closed across NSW in June 2022 and from 1 July 2022 was replaced by the OP-SII in four locations:
- Hunter Central Coast
- New England
- South Western Sydney
- Western NSW
Program eligibility
To be eligible for the OP-SII, you need to:
- be 17 years or older and meet school leaving requirements
- be unemployed, OR currently working 20 hours or less a week
- be living in public, community or Aboriginal housing, OR receiving a DCJ Rent Choice subsidy (including household members) OR an approved social housing applicant on the NSW Housing Register (including household members)
- consent to engage in the program and, and be able to commit to a Training, Employment and Housing Plan
- consent to provide identifying details about your household and employment to enable eligibility and outcome verification.
Places in the program are limited. The OP-SII provider for your area will work let you know if you are on a waiting list or are not eligible for the program. Timeframes may vary between different providers.
OP-SII providers and how to access the program
Your social housing provider can help to refer you to the program or you can refer yourself by emailing your local Opportunity Pathways – Social Impact Investment (OP-SII) provider.
The OP-SII is available in the following sites in Hunter Central Coast, New England, South Western Sydney and Western NSW.
Provider | DCJ District | Sites | Referral email |
|---|---|---|---|
Wesley Mission | Hunter Central Coast | Central Coast, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens | |
Best Employment | New England | Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah Shire, Gwydir Shire, Inverell Shire, Liverpool Plains Shire, Moree Plains, Narrabri Shire, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield Shire, Uralla Shire, Walcha Shire | |
Evolve Housing | South Western Sydney | Campbelltown, Canterbury- Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Macquarie Fields | |
Housing Plus | Western NSW | Bathurst Regional, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Forbes, Narromine, Oberon, Orange City, Parkes, Wellington |
Information for clients
The Opportunity Pathways – Social Impact Investment (OP-SII) supports social housing tenants, applicants on the NSW Housing Register and Rent Choice recipients to find and maintain suitable education, training and work opportunities.
The program is available in the following locations:
- Hunter Central Coast
- New England
- South Western Sydney
- Western NSW.
Who can use the OP-SII?
The OP-SII is for social housing tenants, people on the NSW Housing Register, Rent Choice recipients (and household members of these groups) who are:
- looking for a job
- want to work more hours or
- want to improve their employment situation.
The program is free and voluntary. You may be eligible if you are:
- 17 years or older and meet school leaving requirements
- unemployed, OR currently working 20 hours or less a week
- living in public, community or Aboriginal housing
OR - receiving a DCJ Rent Choice subsidy (including household members)
OR - an approved social housing applicant on the NSW Housing Register (including household members).
To participate in the program, you need to be willing and motivated to achieve your employment goals. You will need to give your consent to engage in the program and provide information about your household and employment, and commit to a Training, Employment and Housing Plan.
How will I benefit from the OP-SII?
The program offers the chance to make an exciting positive change in identifying and achieving your learning and working goals.
By joining the program, you or your household members can obtain training qualifications and receive help to prepare for employment or to find and attend work, depending on your needs. You can also get help to keep or change your job.
How does the OP-SII work?
Your OP-SII provider will work with you to create a plan. This plan will be tailored to your personal situation, needs and employment goals.
The program usually runs for up to 12 months. During this time, you will have access to courses, work experience, volunteering and mentoring opportunities.
You can also get practical and financial assistance to pay for things that will help you find and attend work or a training course. This may include childcare, help to obtain a driver’s licence, as well as fuel vouchers and Opal cards.
You can also get help with resume writing or developing your interview skills.
The OP-SII includes a range of options to support you to achieve your employment goals. These don’t end once you get a job.
Your OP-SII provider will keep supporting you to keep your job or help you find a new one.
How do I join the program?
Joining is easy. You can contact an OP-SII provider directly and they will assess your eligibility for the program. For more information on the OP-SII provider in your area go to OP-SII providers and how to access the program.
You can also give consent for your social housing provider, an advocate or support person to contact the OP-SII provider on your behalf.
Your social housing provider may also ask you if you are interested in being considered for the OP-SII program.
Will it impact on my eligibility for social housing assistance?
The program is voluntary. You may decide you do not want to participate or leave the program early if you feel it is not the right fit for you. This will not change your eligibility for social housing assistance.
If you are successful in the program and your income increases, there may be an impact on your eligibility for social housing assistance. For example:
- If you live in social housing the amount of rent you pay may increase. For more information, see the Income limits for rent subsidy factsheet .
- If you live in a DCJ managed property, with a fixed term lease, your income may impact your eligibility for another lease. For more information see the Income limits at lease review factsheet.
- If you are receiving Rent Choice the amount of subsidy you receive may go down or even stop. For more information see the Rent Choice policy .
- If you are an applicant on the NSW Housing Register your income may mean you are no longer eligible for assistance. For more information see the Applying for Social Housing factsheet .
- If you live in Community Housing, visit your social housing provider’s website.
Where can I find more information?
For more information see Opportunity Pathways. You can also contact an OP-SII provider near you if you have any questions.
Information for referrers and providers
Opportunity Pathways – Social Impact Investment Policy – this provides information for people who are referring clients to the program, or supporting clients who are participating in the OP-SII
Opportunity Pathways – Social Impact Investment Program Specification – these are the guidelines for OP-SII providers
Rent Choice – information about Rent Choice