How to apply for the Supported Wage System
Employers and service providers can apply for the Supported Wage System (SWS) online. The SWS is a way to base the wage of an employee with disability on the amount of work they can do.
Who can apply
Employers or service providers can put in an application for the SWS. They can apply for employees in open employment or supported employment.
SWS is available for:
- new employees with disability
- current employees with disability, if they can’t do the same amount of work they used to, and they risk losing their job.
The employee must be eligible for the SWS. There is information about eligibility at How the Supported Wage System works.
The application process
You apply for the SWS online through JobAccess Secure.
- An employer or service provider applies online for the employee with disability.
- The Department of Social Services (DSS) Assessment Team checks if the employee is eligible. They will organise an SWS eligibility test with Centrelink if needed.
- If the employee is eligible the assessment team approves the SWS application. They usually respond within 10 working days.
- The employee starts a work trial to learn the skills they need to do the job.
- The assessment team organises an assessor to come to the workplace and assess the employee's productivity.
- The employer and employee sign a wage assessment agreement and send it to the relevant industrial authority if needed.
The employer can start paying the agreed wage from the date they both signed the agreement.
As part of the application process, employers can also apply to get a one-off payment of $1,000. This is to help cover the cost of employing a person with disability in a new job. Learn more about the payment at How the Supported Wage System works.
Download the SWS handbook for full details on each part of the process.
Information you need to apply
To fill in the form, you’ll need a few details about:
- the employee – including the type of disability they have
- the nominee – if the employee has one
- the employer – including the type of business, contact details and ABN
- the job – including the employee’s role, start date and hours of work a week.
You can search for an employer’s ABN on the Australian Business Register website.
There is space at the final step of the form to add any other information. For example, you can note if you have also applied for funding for workplace changes through the Employment Assistance Fund.
For help to fill out the form, download our step-by-step instructions.
Getting help
If you have questions about applying for the SWS, call the DSS Assessment Team on 1800 065 123. You can also contact a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 or through our online enquiry form.
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