About Us

Established in 2009, Dress for Success NSW & ACT is a not-for-profit, Volunteer-powered organisation that helps women who have fallen into financial difficulty find work and get back on their feet.
 
With branches in Sydney, Illawarra and Newcastle-Hunter, every year Dress for Success NSW & ACT supports more than 2,500 women into employment across New South Wales. Our signature Styling service and suite of Career Support offerings aim to help women overcome bias and discrimination when entering or re-entering the workforce - at no cost to the women needing the services.
 
Transgender women and nonbinary individuals, comfortable in women’s spaces, are warmly welcomed.

What we do

Poverty alleviation & financial independence

Through our complimentary Styling service and Career Support Program we empower women to face their job search with the confidence, clothing, and tools to get hired and become financially independent.

Women’s empowerment

We work to bridge the gap for vulnerable women by addressing unconscious bias and creating fairness and equality for female jobseekers; instilling confidence, building resilience, and restoring dignity.

Sustainability

We style our Clients in high quality pre-loved workwear, committing to the circular fashion economy and the ethical disposal of clothing that may otherwise end up in landfill or a life unloved.

Our programs & services

Styling & presentation skills

We provide quality pre-loved clothing, styling and presentation skills to women needing to present themselves well at an important event such as:

  • Job interviews
  • Starting a new job
  • Starting work for further education
  • Court appearances
  • On release from prison
  • Affirming gender as a woman
  • Important life events such as funerals, graduations, work-related events

Career Support Program

We offer a holistic suite of practical workshops job search and personal development workshops to help women develop the skills and confidence to maximise chances of job search and career success.

We partner with industry experts to deliver tailored individual assistance:

  • Resume Review
  • Interview Preparation and Practice
  • Career Coaching (six sessions)

Dress for Success Career Hub

The DFS Career Hub is an exciting new online portal for women, anywhere in Australia, that helps at every step of the job search and career journey; Get the Job, Got the Job, Thrive in the Job.

Jobseekers will find an abundance of career resources, practical tips and advice that can be accessed 24/7. Weekly Live Online Workshops are facilitated by industry experts in a supportive, engaging environment.

Go to the Career Hub here.

Our Volunteer Community

Dress for Success NSW & ACT is powered by more than 1,000 Volunteers that support and enhance the work of our small team of staff.

Every year, Volunteers provide nearly 20,000 hours across three branches because they believe in the Dress for Success mission and see the direct impact on the lives of so many women.

View our upcoming Information Sessions here.

Dress for Success Worldwide

Dress for Success is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to almost 150 cities in 25 countries and has helped more than 1.2 million women work towards self-sufficiency.

Dress for Success in Australia

Powered by Volunteers, every year Dress for Success Australian Affiliates support more than 5,000 women into employment across the country. DFS Australian Affiliates collaborate on projects like the DFS Career Hub and national fundraising campaigns like Empower Hour for International Women's Day.

Dress for Success Adelaide

Suited to Success / DFS Brisbane

Dress for Success Tasmania

Groomed to Go / DFS South East Melbourne

Dress for Success Western Australia

Dress for Success NSW & ACT

Get started - fundraise for success!

Browse our popular fundraising options and register to host a fundraiser, clothing drive or take part in a challenge to help us raise important funds to support our life-changing programs and services.

Drive It

Style our Clients for success; host a clothing drive in your community or workplace.

Host It

Host an event or fundraiser; choose from these popular options or create your own.

Shop It

Donate a % of sales or proceeds from a service, shop, business or campaign.

Sweat It

Raise more than a sweat! Join our fundraising teams or create your own challenge.

Our Changing Rooms Change Lives.

#empoweringwomen