Even by taking up casual or part-time work you will improve your future job prospects, gain confidence, and increase your work-related skills.  You may still qualify for some payment while you are working. 

There are incentives to keep working, known as:-

"Working Credit" - (Under Age Pension age)

and

"Work Bonus" - (Over Age Pensions age)

There isn't space here to explain them.

When your earnings reduce your payments

• If earnings reduce the Centrelink benefit to nil, continue to report your earnings to retain your concession card entitlement for up to 12 week, and
  
  
• Family Tax Benefit (Part A) or Child Care Benefit, will continue to be paid at the same rate during this time

As a Centrelink payment is considered taxable income, you may have to pay some tax if you start work.