Facing job loss

For most people, work quietly keeps a lot of life running on autopilot. Income arrives regularly. Super is paid. Bills get covered.  

When work ends, those automatic systems switch off. Nothing is “broken”, but suddenly more things require manual input. Decisions that used to take care of themselves now need time, energy and focus. 

That sudden shift is a big part of why retrenchment can feel overwhelming. It’s not weakness or lack of capability. It’s the loss of automatic systems that you are used to.  

Losing work can knock the wind out of you. Especially if it happens suddenly. There is no right or wrong response to being retrenched. You could be feeling scared, angry, relieved, ashamed, numb, relieved or even pleased.  

At Verve Super we’re not here to tell you to optimise, hustle or ‘stay positive’. We’re here to sit with you, steady things, and point you to support that actually helps – financially, practically and emotionally. 

You don’t need a five-year plan today. Right now, the priority is to stabilise the basics while you’re operating in manual mode. 

When income stops and systems switch to manual, the admin can feel relentless: Centrelink forms, employer emails, bills, super questions, and the constant sense that you should be doing something. 

Here’s what often helps in the early days. 

What not to worry about right now 

• You don’t need to decide your next career move 

• You don’t need to make changes to your super immediately 

• You don’t need to have answers for everyone 

The aim in the early days is not optimisation. It’s stability.  Small, contained actions help reduce the mental load while bigger systems are rebuilt. 

• Write a short list (3–5 items max) of what actually needs attention this week 

• Ask someone you trust to sit with you while you do paperwork 

• Get help early – especially before bills or debts snowball  

Use support as a smart, protective step rather than a last resort, and you’ll feel more in control sooner.  

If you’re not sure where to start, this list may help you prioritise. Copy it into your own to-do list and add or delete rows if you need to. 

There’s no prize for doing this super-fast. Steady is strong. 

If your job ended due to your role being made redundant or circumstances that don’t feel right, you’re entitled to clarity. 

The Fair Work Ombudsman can help you understand: 

• Whether your redundancy pay is correct 

• Notice periods and final pay 

• Unpaid leave or entitlements 

If something feels unfair or confusing, Legal Aid or a community legal centre can support you, especially if: 

• You were pressured to resign 

• The process felt rushed or unclear 

• Your role was ‘made redundant’ but then refilled 

Asking questions doesn’t mean you’re being difficult, just protecting yourself – so it’s always worth checking your rights and entitlements, just in case.  

It’s also worth noting that tax on a redundancy payment is different to your regular income tax, so asking for help from your accountant, or the payroll team at your employer, can be useful to make sure you are clear. 

If your income has dropped or stopped, Services Australia (Centrelink) may be able to help, even if this is your first time accessing support. 

Depending on your situation, this might include: 

• JobSeeker Payment 

• Parenting Payment 

• Support while working part-time, casually or picking up short-term work 

Yes, the system can be frustrating. No, needing help doesn’t say anything about your worth, ambition or capability. 

If the process feels overwhelming: 

• You can ask for clarification or extra time 

• You can request to speak with a Centrelink social worker 

• You can ask someone you trust to help you complete forms 

You’re allowed to use systems designed to support people through exactly this. 

When you stop working, employer super contributions stop… but your super stays in your account and remains invested. 

A few things to know, without pressure to act: 

• You’re not required to keep contributing if you can’t or don’t want to 

• Your super doesn’t disappear or reset because you’re unemployed 

There’s no expectation to ‘keep super moving’ while you’re focused on paying rent or buying groceries. These decisions can wait until life feels more stable. 

If you are able to keep contributing to your super, here’s what you need to know.  

Life and TPD 

It’s worth noting that your Life Insurance and your Total & Permanent Disablement (TPD) Insurance are not impacted by being temporarily unemployed. As long as your super account has a balance large enough to cover the premiums, these will stay in place.  

Note: There are some additional rules about account activity that become relevant if your super account becomes inactive for a period of 15 months. 

Income Protection 

Income protection insurance is designed to replace part of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. It generally does not cover redundancy or job loss. 

Income protection cover is often linked to being employed or recently employed. So when work stops and contributions cease, income protection cover may be impacted.  

The key point during redundancy is awareness, not immediate action. Understanding whether income protection is still in place, and what it does and doesn’t cover, helps avoid wrongly assuming things at a time when income is already under pressure. 

Decisions about insurance can usually wait until things feel more stable, but checking what cover you have and when it might end is a sensible first step. 

Reach out to our Coach team for support with understanding your insurance. 

If you’re worried about your mortgage, rent, credit cards or bills, reaching out early can make a huge difference. 

The National Debt Helpline offers free, confidential financial counselling. They can help you: 

• Talk to banks or lenders 

• Ask for hardship arrangements 

• Understand your options before payments are missed 

This kind of support can help protect your home, your credit history and your peace of mind – think of it as financial self-defence. 

Words can be hard to find when you’re under extreme stress. When you’re making calls, try using these conversation starters to reach out for support.  

“I’ve recently lost my job and I’m experiencing temporary financial hardship. I’d like to talk about what support or payment options might be available while I get back on my feet.” 

“I’m feeling overwhelmed by this process and want to make sure I understand my options. Is there someone who can talk me through the next steps?” 

“I’d like to confirm my final pay and entitlements, including redundancy and unused leave. Could you please provide this in writing?” 

You don’t owe anyone your life story. Clear and calm is enough. 

Job loss can shake your sense of safety and identity – especially if you’re used to being the reliable one. 

If you need support beyond friends and family: 

• Beyond Blue – for anxiety, stress and uncertainty 

• Lifeline – 24/7 support when things feel heavy 

You don’t need to be ‘at breaking point’ to reach out. Support also works well when it comes early. 

If you want help thinking through your finances or super without pressure, Verve’s Coach team is here to support you, too.  As a Verve Super member, you and your family* also have access to individual Mental Wellness Support with your MetLife 360Health benefit.

Whether you’re ready to plan or just need help prioritising, you don’t have to navigate this alone. 

All this stuff takes time. There will be emotions to process and practicalities to sort. But when you’re ready, it’s time to update your resume and start planning your next move.  

Losing a job can knock your confidence, but there are gentle pathways back into the workforce.  

• Workforce Australia has free online learning modules to help you build the confidence to navigate today’s job market.   

• The government’s What’s Next program also has lots of ideas, from job application tips to starting your own small business.  

• If you have kids, Parent Pathways can assign you a mentor to find something that can guide you towards parent-friendly careers.  

You may find a whole new direction or sector just begging for your skills!  

If you need help polishing up your resume, the Department of Employment has some tips of what to include, and free-to-use design platforms like Canva can make it look gorgeous.  

Losing work can make everything feel unstable. But this moment does not define your value, your future or your capability. 

Support exists. People care. And step by step, you can move forward – on your terms.