How was today?
Get it off your chest.
For when the search for work has gone on far longer than anyone expected. Put down what you're carrying. You are more than this search.
Which best describes you?
This changes a few questions and which support lines come first. You can change it any time.
Everything you enter stays on this phone. Nothing is sent to Services Australia, your employment provider or anyone else. Unladen Search is in early release and still being tested with the people it's for. It is not a medical or emergency service and is not connected to any employment provider or government agency. · Give feedback
Take a moment.
Close the job sites for a few minutes. Breathe. Your worth isn't measured by this search.
Breathe with this
What you might be feeling
- Flat, numb or worn out
- Ashamed, or like you're being judged
- Angry at the system, or at yourself
- Going over every application and interview
These are normal reactions to a long search. They don't mean you've failed.
If you're feeling hopeless
Talk to someone today: someone close to you, or Lifeline on 13 11 14. The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) can help with the money side.
Ground yourself
Look around. Name them, out loud or in your head.
Call someone now
Add someone close to you, a friend or a support line in so they're here when you need them.
Not sure who to tell?
If you don't feel safe telling family or your employment provider, there are other people you can go to. Or write down what happened, just for you, while it's fresh.
What helps after
Handover to yourself
A few minutes at the end of the day. Notice what you're carrying, and put down what you can.
Please talk to someone now
You said you've had thoughts of harming yourself or not wanting to be here. Please call one of these now. If you're in immediate danger, call 000.
Light load
This phone isn't letting the page save. Your result shows here but won't be kept.
Your safety
You said you didn't feel fully safe. That matters. Talk to someone you trust, or call Lifeline (13 11 14).
Getting home safely
You said you've got very little energy left. Rest is allowed. A day off from searching is not giving up.
What might help
People you can call
This isn't a medical assessment. It's a way to notice how you're going over time.
How it's been going
Last 14 days
Handovers
This phone isn't letting the page save, so handovers won't be kept.
Privacy & your data
Add a PIN, download what you've entered, or delete everything from this phone.
A long search takes a lot out of you
What to watch for, and what helps. Tap a heading to open it.
Applying into silence
- Most applications never get a reply. Silence is about the process, not a verdict on you.
- Long gaps between jobs are common, and many employers know it. You don't owe anyone an apology for yours.
- Keep a list of what you've done, not just what came back. Effort counts even when the outcome doesn't.
- If you can, ask for feedback after interviews. Some places will give it.
Providers and mutual obligations
- Requirements can feel confusing and relentless. Ask your provider to explain anything, and to put it in writing.
- If illness, caring, housing or a crisis makes things harder, tell your provider or Services Australia. Requirements can be changed or paused.
- Write down what was said at appointments, with the date. My private record in this app is a good place.
- If something isn't right, the Workforce Australia customer line (1800 805 260) takes complaints. The Welfare Rights Centre (1800 226 028) gives free advice about Centrelink.
Money worries
- The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) gives free financial counselling.
- A Services Australia social worker (132 850) can help if things have become a crisis.
- Ask about hardship options before bills are overdue.
- Link2home (1800 152 152) gives NSW homelessness help, 24/7.
Feeling written off
- Age, disability, a gap in your work history or where you live can all make a search longer. That's about the market, not your worth.
- If you think you were treated unfairly because of age, disability, race or sex, the Australian Human Rights Commission (1300 656 419) can tell you your options.
- JobAccess (1800 464 800) gives free advice about work for people with disability or illness.
- Spend time with people who see you as a whole person, not a job title.
Who you are without a job
- When work has been gone a long time, it can feel like part of you has gone too. Grief, shame and anger are normal.
- Your skills, values and relationships are still yours. Write down three things you're good at that have nothing to do with a job.
- Not knowing what comes next is hard, but it can also be a chance to ask what you actually want. A careers counsellor or a short course can help you explore.
Shaping long days
- A simple routine helps: get up, go outside, do one task, then stop.
- Set a finishing time for searching each day, and keep to it.
- Volunteering, a course or a community group adds structure, company and contacts. Some can count towards your obligations, so ask.
- Move your body most days, even a short walk.
Signs you're carrying too much
- Dreading checking your email
- Feeling worthless or invisible
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Drinking more
- Avoiding people, or stopping going out
- Giving up on things you used to enjoy
These are very common in a long search. They're not a weakness, and they can get better.
When to get more help
If your load has been heavy for two weeks or more, or it's affecting your sleep, mood or home life, talk to your GP. A GP can set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist, and many bulk bill.
People to call
Save the ones that apply to you. They stay on this phone and show up on the Help now screen.
Support lines
Support for a long search
Sometimes the person you'd normally tell is part of the problem, or it just doesn't feel safe. Here are other ways to get support. You choose what to do, and when.
From your organisation
An employment service can add its own support numbers here.
Someone outside your provider
- Workforce Australia customer line. Questions or complaints about your provider, 1800 805 260.
- Welfare Rights Centre NSW. Free legal advice about Centrelink, 1800 226 028.
- Services Australia social workers. 132 850.
- National Debt Helpline. Free financial counselling, 1800 007 007.
- Your GP. Can refer you on for support.
Text or chat instead of calling
For when talking out loud isn't possible, or feels like too much.
For particular situations
You're not alone. Many people go through this, and it does change.
Spiritual and religious support
Some people find strength in prayer, ritual or their faith or cultural community after a hard day. Others find it in nature, music, exercise or quiet. Whatever gives you meaning counts.
If your workplace has a chaplain or wellbeing officer, they support people of any faith or none. Their role is to listen, not to persuade.
Words to start with
The first sentence is often the hardest. You could say:
"I'm not ready to make a complaint. I just need to talk this through."
"Can this stay between us? Is there anything you'd have to pass on?"
"I've been looking for work for a long time and I'm not coping."
"I can't meet these requirements right now. What are my options?"
"I'm worried about money."
What happens if I tell someone?
- Counsellors, peer supporters and helplines keep what you say private. The main exception is if someone is at serious risk of harm. If you're unsure, ask at the start.
- Your private record in this app stays on your phone unless you choose to share it.
Not ready to tell anyone?
That's OK. You can write down what happened, just for yourself, and decide later.
Numbers and services are for New South Wales and Australia-wide. Check with your organisation for its own services.
Write down what happened
It stays on this phone. It isn't a report, and nothing is sent anywhere. If you later decide to raise something, notes written at the time are easier to rely on than memory.
My entries
Entries can't be edited, so each one shows when it was written. To add something, write a new entry.
No entries yet.
If you decide to share it, you can download it or send it to yourself.
Your phone, your data
PIN lock
Ask for a PIN when the app opens, and after it has been in the background for a minute.
PIN is on.
The PIN stops someone else opening the app on your phone. It doesn't encrypt what's stored, so keep your phone locked too. If you forget it, you can delete everything and start again.
Hide the screen
Tap the eye button at the top of any screen to cover the app straight away, for example at home or on the way out. Tap to come back, or enter your PIN if you've set one.
Download my data
Download everything you've entered (handovers, private record and contacts) as a text file. You could keep a copy, or show it to your GP or counsellor.
Delete everything
Deletes your handovers, private record, role, contacts and PIN from this phone.
Delete everything from this phone? This can't be undone.
About Unladen Search
Unladen™ Search is an early release made by Co-Synthesist Pty Ltd, Newcastle NSW. Unladen™ is a trade mark of Co-Synthesist Pty Ltd. It isn't a medical or emergency service, and it isn't connected to any employment provider or government agency. The questions haven't been clinically validated yet.
What's stored: your role, handovers, private record, saved contacts and settings, only in this phone's browser. Nothing is sent to anyone. There are no accounts, analytics or trackers.
Feedback: the feedback form is the only part of Unladen Search that sends anything, and only when you press Send. It doesn't include anything else from the app.
Keep in mind: if you clear your browser data or remove the app, what you've entered goes too. Download a copy first if you want to keep it.
Version 0.1 early release · October 2026