BUSY At Work

What BUSY At Work does

BUSY At Work is an Australian not-for-profit organisation operating as the employment services arm of The BUSY Group, contracted by the Australian Government's Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to deliver apprenticeship support, employment services, and community programs across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory. Its core offering centres on three contracted streams: Australian Apprenticeship Support Network services, Workforce Australia Employment Services (including Transition to Work for 15-24 year-olds), and the Self Employment Assistance Program. The organisation supports more than 60,000 job placements per year through a hybrid channel model combining a national call centre (13 28 79, 6am-8pm AEST), field-based officer teams, physical offices in Southport, Brisbane, Logan, Cairns, Broome, and Cleveland, plus a CoAct partnership for service delivery.

Technically, the operating backbone comprises (1) the Apprenticeship Data Management System (ADMS) — a secure platform for training contract creation, employer/apprentice profiling, eligibility assessment, reporting, and claim generation, integrated with myGovID digital identity — and (2) the Cognisess Career Assessment Tool for job-seeker pathway identification. Two in-house Registered Training Organisations (Skill360, RTO:1607, and One Stop Training) deliver accredited vocational qualifications, while subsidiary brands address specific cohorts: BUSY Ability (disability employment, NDIS), The BUSY Schools (seven alternative Year 11-12 campuses in Queensland), BUSY Health, BUSY Business, BUSY GRIT, and the Step Up Program.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through managed-services contracts with Australian federal and state governments for employment program delivery, plus professional-services revenue from RTO training delivery and education-program administration (Commonwealth Regional Scholarships, PACER, Queensland Education Experiences, Early Childhood Scholarships). Services are free to eligible end participants as funding flows directly from government contracts to the organisation. The 2022 founding year noted in legal records (incorporation 1998 as BUSY At Work) reflects 45+ years of operating history through The BUSY Group, with international expansion launched in 2024 via Niagara, Canada.

Name

BUSY At Work

Legal name

THE BUSY GROUP LTD

Website

https://busyatwork.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

BUSY At Work is an Australian not-for-profit (part of The BUSY Group) that delivers contracted government apprenticeship support, employment, and community programs across QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS, WA, NT, and Canada, serving job seekers, apprentices, employers, and disengaged youth through offices, field teams, and sub-brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Southport

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Australian Government Employment Services Contracts: Contracted by the Australian Government (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations) to deliver Workforce Australia Employment Services, Transition to Work, and Australian Apprenticeship Support Network services. Revenue derived from government funding contracts for service delivery.
2. Registered Training Organisation Services: Operates Skill360 and One Stop Training as registered training organisations delivering nationally-recognised vocational qualifications and short courses. Funded courses available through government initiatives like Skilling Queenslanders for Work.
3. Education Program Administration: Administers government-funded education programs including Commonwealth Regional Scholarship Program (boarding school scholarships), PACER (Parliament and Civics Education Rebate), Queensland Education Experiences, and Early Childhood Scholarships on behalf of government bodies.
4. Youth and Community Services: Delivers community-focused programs including Step Up Program (youth violence intervention), BUSY GRIT (young women's empowerment), and other youth services funded by government and community partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

BUSY At Work delivers contracted Australian Government employment and apprenticeship support services, operating as one of Australia's largest Australian Apprenticeship Support Services providers. The company connects job seekers with employment opportunities through Workforce Australia Employment Services and Transition to Work, supports apprentices and trainees through recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and financial assistance, delivers nationally-recognised vocational training through its Registered Training Organisations (Skill360 and One Stop Training), runs alternative secondary schools for disengaged youth, and administers scholarship and education rebate programs on behalf of federal and state governments.

Product overview

BUSY At Work is a not-for-profit organisation delivering a multi-channel portfolio of employment services, apprenticeship support, vocational training, and educational programs across Australia. The core offering centers on Australian Apprenticeship Support Services (one of Australia's largest providers), complemented by Workforce Australia Employment Services for job seekers and employers. The portfolio includes specialist sub-brands targeting specific populations: BUSY Ability (disability employment), The BUSY Schools (alternative secondary education), BUSY Health (health support), and Skill360/One Stop Training (registered training organisations). Financial support programs assist apprentices with living expenses and training costs. Educational initiatives include PACER (Canberra school trips), Commonwealth Regional Scholarships, and QLD Education Experiences. Youth and Community Services address barriers to employment through intervention programs. The company operates as a contracted Australian Government service provider delivering employment, training, and community support across Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and Western Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BUSY Schools: Senior high school programs for students who struggle with traditional schooling, offering alternative education pathways.
• BUSY Ability
• BUSY GRIT
• BUSY Health
• BUSY Business
• Skill360
• One Stop Training
• The BUSY Group

Products and services

• Australian Apprenticeship Support Services One of Australia's largest apprenticeship support service providers, offering recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and ongoing support for apprentices and trainees across multiple states.
• Workforce Australia Employment Services Australian Government-funded employment services supporting job seekers into sustainable work and career pathways.
• Workforce Australia Transition to Work Government-funded youth employment program providing job-ready training and support for people aged 15-24 to enter the workforce.
• Self Employment Assistance Program Program helping job seekers and early-stage entrepreneurs develop viable business ideas and start their own businesses.
• BUSY Ability Disability employment services (formerly Disability Employment Services) supporting persons living with disability to find meaningful employment, including NDIS School Leaver Employment Support.
• Indigenous Employment Programs Specialist employment support for First Nations peoples, including the Together program for First Nations apprenticeships.
• Women in Trades / BUSY Sisters Specialist support program encouraging and retaining women in male-dominated trades, offering mentoring and peer support.
• B Green - Clean Energy Apprenticeships Apprenticeship program supporting Australia's transition to net zero, attracting apprentices to clean energy occupations.
• The BUSY Schools Alternative senior high schools (Years 11-12) for students who struggle with traditional schooling, offering a supportive environment to complete education and prepare for career pathways. Currently operates seven campuses in Queensland.
• Youth and Community Services Comprehensive support programs for young people addressing barriers to education and employment, including housing instability, family relationships, AOD issues, and youth justice. Includes BUSY Step Up Program in Townsville and BUSY GRIT program.
• Apprentice Financial Support Programs Suite of financial support options for apprentices including Training Support Payment (up to $5,000), Australian Apprenticeship Support Loans (up to $25,983 lifetime limit), Living Away From Home Allowance ($120/$90/$45 per week), Travel and Accommodation Subsidy, Key Apprenticeship Program (up to $10,000 full-time / $5,000 part-time), and New Energy Apprentice Support Payment.
• Employer Incentives and Support Advisory services on government-funded incentives for employers, including Australian Apprenticeships Incentive System, Workforce Australia Wage Subsidies, Priority Wage Subsidies, and Workplace Modifications support.
• Skill360 Registered Training Organisation (RTO:1607) offering nationally-recognised qualifications and short courses in construction trades, business administration, hospitality, and employment services. Operates in North Queensland and South East Queensland.
• One Stop Training Registered Training Organisation specialising in supply chain, warehousing and logistics training. Offers courses including Forklift licences, Order Picker, Reach Stacker, and Certificate courses in Supply Chain Operations. Operates in Brisbane, Logan, and provides on-site group training.
• Commonwealth Regional Scholarship Program Australian Government initiative administered by BUSY At Work, providing scholarships of up to $20,000/year (Tier 1, 30 scholarships) or $10,000/year (Tier 2, 40 scholarships) for students from regional, rural and remote communities to attend boarding schools.
• PACER - Parliament and Civics Education Rebate Australian Government initiative providing financial assistance for students in Years 4-12 to travel to Canberra, subsidising costs for school trips focused on civics and citizenship education.
• Early Childhood Scholarships - SA Scholarship program for South Australian students pursuing early childhood qualifications, part of the QualifySA in Early Childhood funding support program.
• Skilling Queenslanders for Work Queensland Government-funded program offering no-cost skills training and work experience programs for eligible job seekers, delivered through partnerships with various organisations.
• Recruitment Services Employer-focused recruitment support connecting job seekers with employment opportunities across various industries.
• QLD Education Experiences Queensland Government-contracted program administering subsidy rebates for schools undertaking educational excursions to the Great Barrier Reef and Outback Queensland.
• BUSY Health Health services supporting job seekers with health conditions to become work-ready, part of the holistic service offering.
• Workforce Planning Corporate and employment solutions working with organisations to develop strategic workforce plans and corporate community engagement strategies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60,000 job seekers placed into employment per year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Australian Government (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations)coreOthersPrimary government contractor for Australian Apprenticeship Support Network, Workforce Australia Employment Services, Transition to Work, and other employment programs. BUSY At Work is contracted to deliver support services to employers and Australian Apprentices nationwide.
• Queensland GovernmentcoreOthersContracted to deliver Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs, administer Queensland Education Experiences subsidy rebate program, and deliver various state-funded training initiatives. Multiple program partnerships including The BUSY Schools.
• CoActcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Workforce Australia Employment Services delivery. BUSY At Work works with CoAct as a partner to deliver employment services to job seekers across service areas.
• Gold Coast Titans NRLWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Gold Coast Titans NRLW continues in 2024, supporting women in manufacturing strategy and employment services engagement.
• HitachiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBUSY Sisters program announced mechanical and electrical apprenticeships with Hitachi, supporting women in male-dominated trades.
• Apprenticeship CentralminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral partner for apprenticeship opportunities. Links job seekers to apprenticeship vacancies and employers through the platform.
• Deakin UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for early childhood scholarship program management. Dr Natalie Robertson of Deakin University provided testimonial praising BUSY At Work's scholarship management capabilities over 3 years.
• Aboriginal Hostels LimitedminorOthersCommonwealth Regional Scholarship Program requires boarding facilities to be covered by Bilateral Management Agreement with Aboriginal Hostels Limited or have signed ABSTUDY Standard Hostels Agreement with Services Australia.
• Foyer FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth and Community Services programs adopt The Foyer Federation's Advantaged Thinking Principles for working with young people.
• Institute for Employment ChampionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to advance the Centre for Employability Excellence in Australia and New Zealand.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Verto: Not-for-profit Australian employment, training, and apprenticeship services provider competing in Workforce Australia and apprenticeship support across multiple states.
• CoAct: Not-for-profit consortium delivering Workforce Australia Employment Services through partner organisations; BUSY At Work is itself a CoAct partner, making CoAct both ally and competitor in employment services markets.
• Atwork Australia: Not-for-profit employment services provider competing for the same government contracts and serving similar disadvantaged job seeker populations.
• MEGT (Australia): One of Australia's largest Australian Apprenticeship Support Services and Workforce Australia providers, directly competing with BUSY At Work for government contracts and employer/apprentice placements across overlapping states.
• Sarina Russo Job Access: Major Australian employment services and apprenticeship support provider competing for the same DEWR contracts and serving similar job seeker and employer segments as BUSY At Work.
• WISE Employment: Not-for-profit disability employment services and Workforce Australia provider with a similar community-focused model and overlapping target cohorts including people with disability.
• Octec: Not-for-profit employment, training, and youth services provider in NSW competing for similar job active / Workforce Australia contracts and youth programs.
• APM Employment Services: Global employment services and disability employment provider with a large Australian footprint delivering Workforce Australia and DES contracts in direct competition with BUSY Ability.

Broad incumbents

• TAFE Queensland: State-owned Registered Training Organisation delivering vocational qualifications in overlapping industries (construction, business, hospitality); a broader incumbent training provider that competes with Skill360 and One Stop Training.

Emerging players

• Brotherhood of St Laurence: Community organisation with employment services and social programs targeting disadvantaged Australians; overlapping mission and target cohorts though broader in scope than BUSY At Work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@thebusygroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/busyatwork
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/busyatwork
• Instagraminstagram.com/busyatwork
• TikToktiktok.com/@thebusygroup
• Xx.com/BUSY_At_Work

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BUSY At Work