Harcourts Foundation awards $10,000 grant to Dress for Success Tasmania

Women and gender-diverse people in Northern Tasmania will have greater access to employment support services following a $10,000 grant from the Harcourts Foundation to Dress for Success Tasmania.

Presented by Harcourts Coastline | Devonport on behalf of the Harcourts Foundation Australia, the grant will fund four outreach service days during 2026/27, with two visits planned for Devonport and two for Launceston.

For more than seven years, Dress for Success Tasmania has supported people facing barriers to employment and economic participation, providing professional clothing, styling, interview preparation, career support and confidence-building services at no cost.

While the organisation currently delivers its services from Hobart, demand for support in Northern Tasmania continues to grow. The outreach program will allow its team and volunteers to bring practical assistance directly into local communities, helping people who may otherwise face financial, geographical or other barriers to accessing support.

Harcourts Foundation Head Pauline Smith said the grant would help address practical barriers that can make entering or returning to the workforce difficult.

“Access to the right support at the right time can make a real difference to someone's confidence and their ability to take the next step towards employment. We're pleased to support Dress for Success Tasmania in extending its services into Northern Tasmania, helping more people access the practical assistance and encouragement they need to pursue new opportunities,” Ms Smith said.

The four outreach visits are expected to support approximately 20 women and gender-diverse people. Participants will have access to professional clothing and styling, resume and job-search assistance, interview preparation, confidence-building support and referrals to other employment and community services.

Dress for Success Tasmania works with people navigating a range of circumstances, including rebuilding their lives after family violence, returning to work after caring responsibilities, recovering from unemployment and navigating disability.

By bringing these services closer to home, the Northern Tasmania Outreach Project aims to improve job readiness, build confidence and help participants pursue employment, training and education opportunities.

Belinda Dowde, Tasmania Foundation Ambassador, said extending the service into Devonport and Launceston would help connect more people with support in their own communities.

“For someone facing barriers to employment, accessing the right support can be difficult when services are a long way from home. This grant will help bring that support closer to people in Northern Tasmania, giving them access to practical resources, guidance and the confidence to take their next steps. It's a great example of how community support can help create opportunities for people who need them,” Ms Dowde said.

The Harcourts Foundation supports community organisations and initiatives that make a meaningful difference to people's lives. The grant to Dress for Success Tasmania continues that work by helping remove practical barriers to employment and supporting greater economic independence and social inclusion.