How was today?
Get it off your chest.
If you've lost a job, are between jobs, or are looking for your first one. Put down what you're carrying.
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 Next is a prototype. It is not a medical or emergency service and is not connected to any employment provider or government agency. · Give feedback
Take a moment.
Step away from the job ads for a few minutes. Breathe. You're allowed to stop.
Breathe with this
What you might be feeling
- Shaky, sick, or a racing heart
- Numb, or oddly calm
- Tearful, angry, or both
- Going over what you could have done differently
These are normal reactions. They usually settle over hours or days.
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. Tomorrow is another day.
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.
Looking for work takes a lot out of you
What to watch for, and what helps. Tap a heading to open it.
Rejections and silence
- Most applications get no reply. It isn't a verdict on you.
- Keep a list of what you have done, not just the outcomes.
- Talk to someone about it.
Money worries
- The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) gives free financial counselling.
- Services Australia can connect you with a social worker.
- Ask about hardship options before bills are overdue.
Losing a job and who you are
- Losing work can feel like losing part of yourself.
- Grief, shame and anger are normal. You're not alone in this.
Mutual obligations and appointments
- Requirements can feel stressful and confusing.
- Ask your provider or Services Australia to explain anything you are unsure about.
- If your situation changes, tell them. Exemptions exist.
Housing stress
- Link2home (1800 152 152) gives NSW homelessness information and referral, 24/7.
- Talk to your landlord early if rent is a problem.
Structuring empty days
- A simple routine helps: get up, go outside, do one task.
- Volunteering or a course can add structure and contacts.
Signs you're carrying too much
- Dreading checking your email
- Feeling worthless
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Drinking more
- Avoiding people
These are very common when you're out of work. They're not a weakness.
When to get more help
If your load has been heavy for two weeks or more, you dread going in, or it's affecting sleep or home life, talk to your GP or EAP. A GP can set up a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist.
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 while you look
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 reporting line
- National Debt Helpline. Free financial counselling, 1800 007 007.
- Services Australia. Can connect you with a social worker.
- Link2home. NSW homelessness help, 1800 152 152.
- Your GP. Outside work altogether, and can refer you on.
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 lost my job and I'm not coping."
"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 Next
Unladen™ Next is a prototype 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 Next 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 prototype · September 2026