Most Australians who have disability and participate in the open workforce do so at full rates of pay. However, there are some people whose work productivity is significantly reduced as a result of the effects of disability. For these people, the Supported Wage System may provide access to open employment.
The Supported Wage System is a process that allows employers to pay a productivity based wage which matches a person's assessed productivity rate. The Supported Wage System enables eligible people with disability to access a reliable process of productivity based wage assessment to determine fair pay for fair work.
The Supported Wage System provides both long term and stable employment for many people with disability, and provides opportunities for people with disability to continuously improve their work productivity and be employed at full award wages.
Before applying for Supported Wage System, it is essential that you ensure that the employer's applicable industrial award or instrument contains Supported Wage System provisions. If the applicable instrument does not include provisions to employ people with disability under the Supported Wage System, then an application for Supported Wage System cannot be made.
Applications for the Supported Wage System must be lodged via the secure 'Online application forms' link on the JobAccess home page. Further information on how to apply can be found at:
The following detailed fact sheet provides further information and direction on supporting people who are unable to work at full productivity, including information on the Supported Wage System:
Assistance for employers
Through the Supported Wage System, the Australian Government funds approved assessors to determine a worker’s productivity, with the resulting wage being paid by the employer. This means that there is no cost to the employer for the assessment.
You should advise employers that they must contact the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Supported Wage Management Unit if there are any changes to the industrial award or instrument they are using to employ the Participant.
You should also advise employers that a Supported Wage System review assessment will be conducted annually to identify any changes in work productivity and that if a significant change in productivity occurs before an annual review is due, the employer may request a review assessment by phoning 1800 065 123.
Workplace relations frameworks
The Supported Wage System operates across both federal and state workplace relations regulatory frameworks. Further information on the operation of the Supported Wage System within these frameworks can be found at:
Case studies and success stories
Need help?
If you need information or have questions, please contact the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations JobAccess Advisers on 1800 065 123.