Participating in work that you find meaningful, enables individuals to develop new skills, broaden social circles and develop a sense of purpose. If you are a person with disability, you may have experienced challenges in pursuing your career goals for various reasons including discrimination and accessibility issues.

There are programs and resources that can help you to achieve your ambitions through both the NDIS and other government funded and not-for-profit initiatives. Whether you or your loved one are interested in exploring various fields through work experience or internships, or if you require assistance with interview preparation and job search, various organisations, programs, and resources are available to help you achieve your goals.

Mainstream supports

There are various mainstream support available to help you get job ready. Some of these include:

Job Access program - The Job Access program is a government-funded program in Australia that offers resources and information to support employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Visit the Job Access website for more information.

Disability Employment Services (DES provider) - Organisations (profit or non-profit) that assist individuals with disabilities, injuries, or health conditions are known as DES Providers. These organisations also assist employers in supporting employees with disabilities in the workplace. You can ask your NDIS Support Coordinator or Centrelink representative for help if you are looking for a DES provider in your area.

RecruitAbility - The Australian government has launched a program encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply for public service job openings. The program automatically allows eligible candidates to move on to the next stage of the recruitment process if they meet the requirements. To learn more about the RecruitAbility scheme and how to apply, please look at the Australian Public Service Commission website guide for applicants.

Australian Network on Disability - This member-based non-profit organisation serves as a platform for organisations to engage with individuals with disabilities. Additionally, they offer paid internship programs for university students who have disabilities.

NDIS Supports

To receive NDIS funding for pursuing employment goals or education, you will need to include a goal in your NDIS plan, that is directly related to your career aspirations. Supports that are available to help you reach your goal are discussed below.

Finding and Keeping a Job - This program is designed to help you to find employment and build your independence. If your objective is to secure a job or switch career paths, mention this in your planning meeting, as this funding can open up various opportunities for achieving that goal.

Increased Social and Community Participation - The funds in this category can be used to improve social skills and independence, which are beneficial in finding employment. Further, the NDIS can provide support in your job search.

Support at Work - The NDIS can offer financial assistance to aid you while you work. This includes having a Support Worker and covering expenses for specific training related to your disability. However, it's your employer's responsibility to make sure that the workplace is accessible and provides the necessary equipment and aids for you to perform your job effectively.

Australian Disability Enterprises - Australian Disability Enterprises provide supported employment opportunities for people with moderate or severe disabilities. They employ people with disability with high support needs throughout Australia. Currently, this is an NDIS-funded support.

School Leaver Employment Support - If you are preparing to leave secondary school, it's important to know that the NDIS can provide specific support to help you enter the workforce. This support is called "School Leaver Employment Support" or SLES, which is designed to prepare young adults for employment and increase their chances of success in the job market.

Need more help?

Have a chat to your Support Coordinator about the best support to help you get job ready. Our InFocus Support Coordination team are ready to help.