Organisations contracted to deliver Australian Government funded employment services commit to observe the highest standards of fairness and professional practice as they deliver the services and obligations outlined in their respective contractual arrangements with the Australian Government.
In conducting employment services, you must comply with the principles and service standards set out in the Code of Practice (please note that the following links will open in a new window).
When assisting people with disability, you may want to consider the following strategies to assist you in complying with the Code of Practice:
We operate the services and programs we deliver in a manner that:
1. Upholds the integrity and good reputation of the services and programs
- Ensure that you understand and comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
- For more information read our guides on:
2. Demonstrates a commitment to clients
- Be supportive to clients by tailoring your service to the person's needs, circumstances and backgrounds and by focusing on their goals, strengths, skills and resources.
- When developing a job search plan, be flexible with timeframes in order to accommodate exceptional and changing circumstances.
- Treat clients fairly and with respect. When communicating with a person with disability, treat the person with the same respect you would other people. The focus should be on interacting with the person and not their disability.
- For more information, read our guides on:
3. Delivers an accurate and relevant service
- You can significantly aid a client’s adaptation to a new job by providing regular support as they commence the placement and by providing affirming feedback on their performance.
- Regularly reassessing plans and goals to meet the person's needs as they evolve.
- Link job seekers to appropriate specialists and other networks sooner, rather than later. To be most effective, employment assistance must be coordinated with any services the job seeker may be receiving. That means working with the job seeker’s health team (for example, doctor, counsellor, support worker), if they have one.
- Consider complementary programs where appropriate.
- Ensure that your premises and facilities are appropriate for delivering services to people with disability, that is, they are fully accessible.
- Ensure the information collected about clients, including disability related information, is relevant and necessary and is kept confidential.
- For more information, read our guides on:
4. Is communicated clearly and effectively:
- Ensure clients are aware of their rights and obligations, including information on reasonable adjustments and disclosure of disability so that they are supported in making a choice.
- Providing information to clients with a disability in an accessible format, for example, screen reading software, enlarged font and audio.
- On request, providing clients with appropriate access and support to relevant records you have about them.
- For more information, read our guides on:
5. Encourages feedback without bias:
- Have a complaints process in accessible formats so that clients are aware of the process.
- Advise clients of the free Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Customer Service Line, and for clients of Disability Employment Services, the free Complaints Resolution and Referral Service.
You must also prominently display the Code of Practice and make it available in accessible formats, for example, screen reading software, enlarged font and audio, to job seekers and workers with disability.