Claire Harris speaking to the Cowork Coplay participants Perth_credit Human Quotient Group. Photo courtesy of Human Quotient Group.

Spouses of current and former serving Australian Defence Force members in the Northern Territory are set to benefit from a nationally recognised program designed to foster connection, boost wellbeing and unlock career opportunities.

The Cowork Coplay program, created by Defence spouse and social enterprise founder Claire Harris, has transformed lives in Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. Now, thanks to support from the Northern Territory Government’s Operation Thrive, it will be delivered in Darwin and Katherine from October 2025.

Participants will gain access to:

• Practical resources and workshops on career planning, job applications, the local jobs market, wellbeing and local supports.
• Opportunities to pursue self-directed study, business or employment-related projects.
• A supportive group of peers, offering learning and accountability.
• Onsite childcare, enabling spouses to focus fully on their projects.

Delivered by Human Quotient Group, a certified social enterprise and veteran family business, Cowork Coplay focuses on boosting wellbeing, education and workforce participation for the veteran community and women facing barriers to work. Two local Defence and veteran spouses have been employed to deliver the program, therefore providing direct employment opportunities through the innovative model.

Applications are now open for NT participants.

👉 Cowork Coplay Darwin and Katherine Applications

Quotes

Attributable to Claire Harris, Director and Co-founder, Human Quotient Group:

“Defence spouses often face disrupted careers, loss of belonging, and the extra load of greater caring responsibilities. Over time this can impact wellbeing, financial security, and add stress to already challenging transitions out of military life. Cowork Coplay is about turning that around; creating belonging, opportunities to pursue meaningful employment and hope.”

“We can’t wait to meet NT Defence and veteran spouses and see how they use this program to pursue what matters most to them. It’s a privilege to partner with the NT Government and local stakeholders to bring Cowork Coplay to life in 2025 and 2026.”

“The program was created based on lived experience, career development best practice and research and aligns with government policy and findings from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.”

Attributable to Marcela Ekin de Castro, participant in Adelaide 2025 program:

“Cowork Coplay gave me a reason to look forward to Mondays. It helped me build healthy routines and develop habits like setting achievable goals—sometimes just one thing to tick off each week—which steadily built my confidence.”

“Each Monday, it gave me a boost and introduced me to new ways of thinking about self-care, my career, personal branding, and how to face the job market with fresh eyes. For the first time, I’ve had access to so many useful resources all in one program, directly connecting me to opportunities in Adelaide I didn’t know existed. Over the weeks, it became clear that many of us weren’t aware of all the resources available to us. Cowork Coplay created a space where valuable information and real-life experiences were openly shared.”

“On a personal level, it couldn’t have come at a better time. With my husband now posted to return to Perth after only 6 months in Adelaide, Cowork Coplay has given me the grounding, the tools, and a brighter, more empowered outlook to face the prospect of embracing this new city, on my own with my children.”

Short media story

Defence and veteran spouses in the NT will soon have access to a first-of-its-kind program designed to boost wellbeing, career opportunities and connection.

The Cowork Coplay program, created by a Defence spouse, launches in Darwin and Katherine this October with support from the NT Government’s Operation Thrive.

Offering learning, peer support, mentoring, and onsite childcare, the program has already proven its impact in Adelaide, Perth and Canberra.

“Cowork Coplay is about addressing key challenges of military life and enabling spouses to harness opportunities for growth and belonging in a supportive group environment,” said program creator Claire Harris.