Cowork Coplay Australia

Connect with others, pursue your goals

Darwin program starts 12 Oct. Apply now!
Launch and adapt: Free career and wellbeing webinar for the Defence/veteran community
Watch the video

Unique career development, wellbeing and community support

“In all honesty, Cowork Coplay has given me opportunities I didn’t know existed, new friends who literally live 5 minutes away from me, and time to strategise and plan my goals without the distraction of my children around. I’m incredibly grateful and feel so lucky that I had this opportunity, and think every Defence spouse should be entitled to the same.”

Emma Murray, Adelaide

Delivered by a team with Defence life experience

If you want to:

  • re-evaluate your life and what matters to you
  • focus on your strengths, skills, values, purpose
  • find calm, equanimity, clarity
  • choose your current goals and make progress
  • advance your work or career
  • build confidence 
  • make valuable connections with the community…

Choose you’re own goals! We’re here to help you. Our Program Facilitators area also partners of Defence members or veterans. (We get it!) We also draw on the wonderful support of local experts, mentors and community leaders to guide you. Human Quotient Group is a veteran family social enterprise.

Core challenges we exist to address

1

Lack of access to meaningful work

Often leading to associated feelings of discontent, disempowerment and lack of agency over one’s career and life choices. We provide practical support and access to knowledge and mentors to help program participants pursue the work or contribution they choose.

1

Isolation from community and family supports

Often exacerbated by frequent postings, and commonly resulting in mental ill-health and reduced overall wellbeing. Our programs help people connect, deeply, and find a sense of belonging and community.

1

Reduced opportunities for personal and professional development due to higher caring responsibilities

Partners are often fulfilling higher and unpredictable caring loads. Creche-style child care for young children (0-5) is a standard part of our programs.

Focus on your goals with Cowork Coplay

Tailored programs providing wellbeing, career support and community connection with child care.

Boosting wellbeing, morale and professional development. Serving the needs of the Defence and veteran community.

See Cowork Coplay on ABC News

Watch the recent ABC News story about Cowork Coplay, filmed in Adelaide. The Adelaide program was sponsored by Veterans SA.
Copyright: ABC, View on ABC website.

Want a program in your region?

Tell us!
Commander Tony Ryder, Commanding Officer, HMAS Encounter, SA

“As the Australian government is growing its defence capability, recruitment and retention is a key focus for Defence, especially down here in South Australia. As the Navy footprint continues to grow in Adelaide, the significance of supporting Defence and veteran families cannot be overstated. I believe the Cowork Coplay Adelaide program in 2024 was extremely successful.

I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to listen to the testimonials from the participants and understand the importance of listening to members about what’s impacting them and their Service, as our families are a critical factor to capability and retention.”

Commander Tony Ryder, Commanding Officer, HMAS Encounter, SA

Colonel Adam Hay, Deputy Commander, 9th Brigade, Australian Army

“The Cowork Coplay program is an excellent opportunity for Defence and Veteran spouses and partners to pursue their career goals though mentoring, professional development and networking. Listening to Adelaide participants talk about their experiences shows the program delivers benefits on many levels and in a family-friendly environment.

Cowork Coplay helps participants focus on their individual goals whether it is to find and gain employment, develop a business plan, maintain career momentum, or identify professional development opportunities. At the same time, they are connecting with their local community and other Defence families. Participants felt welcome, supported and built confidence through the program. The results are impressive.”

Colonel Adam Hay, Deputy Commander, 9th Brigade, Australian Army

Our recent 2024 programs

Adelaide program

Cowork Coplay: Adelaide sponsored by Veterans SA.

Find out more about Adelaide

Perth program

Cowork Coplay: Perth, sponsored as a trial for Navy partners.

Find out more about Perth

Combining the things that matter: meaningful work, community, family.

Career / work

Kid-free time to pursue what matters to you,
your goals, your strengths, your needs

Learn

Explore, acquire and share knowledge
with others

Connect

Meet others in a supportive environment
and form deep connections

What’s in a program?

A program is a 8 weeks, 1 half-day per week.

Weekly facilitated coworking sessions include:

Time for you

Access to a welcoming environment and time to pursue meaningful career/employment activities.

Tailored education and self-development

We provide information and relevant workshops and guidance from experts/mentors.

Community building and peer learning

Facilitated community building and peer learning; opportunities to form relationships, connections and close friendships.

Accessible child care

Child care, creche-style: a safe location nearby where children are cared for in the same building.

Information about local support

Increased knowledge of existing services, resources and fun things to do in the local area (particularly important for people new to the location).
More about the Program
“In Defence our people are our most important capability.”
Matt Keogh, Minister for Defence Personnel

Who we partner with

Currently Cowork Coplay programs are delivered through partnerships with organisations.

Find out how Cowork Coplay can deliver value for your communities and raise awareness of your services and mission.

Partner with Us

“It helped me to inspire my kids to see mum study and care about her professional development.”

Mitsu Morales Chamber

Perth

“Participating in Cowork Coplay has been a truly transformative experience for me. It provided me with the tools and the time necessary to pursue my career goals, all within a supportive community that deeply understands the unique challenges faced by military families. This program not only helped me gain valuable certifications and knowledge crucial for my professional growth but also taught me the importance of setting aside time for my own development, which has been empowering. The most profound impact, however, has been the sense of connection. Cowork Coplay introduced me to a community of like-minded individuals, particularly other Defence and veteran spouses who share similar experiences. This has significantly alleviated feelings of isolation that often accompany defence life.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity Cowork Coplay provided, and I strongly
recommend it to any Defence or veteran spouse looking to enhance their professional skills or simply to find a community that gets it. This program has not only helped me grow professionally but has also enriched my personal life, making a lasting difference.”

Jodie Caddy

Adelaide

“The Cowork Coplay program has been life-changing. It’s given me a real sense of belonging in the defence community. I’ve been able to connect with other spouses that just ‘get it’. So often, as defence spouses we are made to feel like our whole life should revolve around the serving member, and little thought is given to our career development. Claire has carefully chosen weekly speakers that help us to identify our career goals and focus on improving our employment prospects.”

Elise Knight

Adelaide

“Cowork Coplay helped me realise what I am trying to achieve for myself and helped guide me to get there. Meeting other partners helped me in knowing that I am not alone, and that there is help out there, no matter how small or big the problem is. Before this I felt very lost and alone in what I wanted to do, but having this program helped me
see what I want my next steps to be and gave me the help to take them.”

Renae Young

Adelaide

“Cowork Coplay has allowed me to get some childfree time to work on my new business adventure! It also allowed my daughter to become more independent and enjoy playing without me being around but knowing I am close by.”

Anna Westcott

Perth

“When I started this program, all I wanted was to get some tasks done so I wasn’t working until the late hours of the night and get some time back in the evenings for myself. After the first couple of sessions I realised that there was so much out there for me. There are career opportunities that can easily work with our Defence lifestyle. I now have a new outlook and direction towards my future employment opportunities thanks to the Cowork Coplay program.”

Kelly Winter

Perth

Cowork Coplay News

Defence News: Supporting our supporters with Cowork Coplay

Defence News: Supporting our supporters with Cowork Coplay

A lively group of program participants, government dignitaries and local Defence leaders celebrated the conclusion of the first Cowork Coplay program in Darwin on December 2.

The 8-week program, developed by Human Quotient Group and delivered by two local Defence and veteran spouses, brought together partners of serving Defence Force members to focus on practical learning, career development, and wellbeing – with the support of onsite childcare.

Their Stories: Marcela

Their Stories: Marcela

Welcome to our blog series: Their Stories. We explore what meaningful work and Defence service means to the lives of partners.

Meet Marcela Ekin de Castro, a Defence partner who arrived in Adelaide ready for a fresh start. With a Master’s Degree and a varied background across executive-level roles, she came into the Cowork Coplay Adelaide 2025 program with a strong foundation but a desire to reconnect with her professional identity after relocation. 

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