What is Disability Employment Services
Disability Employment Services (DES) can help you find and keep a job if you live with disability, injury or health condition.
DES programs for job seekers
DES has 2 programs:
- Disability Management Service (DES-DMS) helps people with disability, injury or health condition find a job. It also can help in the workplace to help people keep their job.
- Employment Support Service (DES-ESS) helps people with permanent disability to find a job. It also gives regular, ongoing help in the workplace.
If you are looking for work, you can choose a DES provider to help you.
Your provider will meet with you to plan help services to suit your needs.
Services for job seekers
Getting ready for a job
A DES provider can help you:
- get ready for work
- train in specific job skills
- write your resume
- train in interview skills
- look for a job that suits you.
If you need help to work, the provider may refer you to health services. For example, psychological or pain management counselling and physiotherapy.
DES providers can also help you access financial and other help. For example:
- funding through the Employment Assistance Fund to help pay for workplace changes, such as new equipment or assistive technology
- wage subsidies
- help to move for a job.
Settling into work
After you get a job, your provider will help you and your employer for at least your first year in the job.
Your provider will stay in contact with you to make sure you get the help you need as you settle into your job.
With your permission, your provider can also talk to your employer about:
- modifying your workplace to support you
- help with job design
- on-the-job training, such as training to use equipment
- workplace awareness training
- Auslan at work
- ongoing help in your job.
Ongoing help at work
Ongoing help is available after the first year, for as long as you need it:
- DES-DMS participants can receive occasional help in a flexible way.
- DES-ESS participants can receive regular, more frequent help if they need it.
You can continue to get ongoing help as long as you work at least 8 hours a week on average. You will need an assessment every 12 to 18 months to check that you still need help.
Help if you already have a job
If you are already working and an injury, disability or health condition is making it hard for you to keep your job, you may be able to get help through Work Assist. Employees and employers can apply for Work Assist through their DES provider.
Help for employers
DES providers are experts at connecting people with disability to employers. DES providers can help employers with:
- finding eligible people for jobs
- advice on promoting job vacancies
- advice on choosing and interviewing people with disability
DES providers can give information about:
- disability awareness in the workplace
- financial help, such as funding workplace changes
- wage subsidies for employees with disability
- flexible working arrangements
- laws about disability.
Finding a DES provider
A mix of large, medium and small providers deliver DES across Australia.
Search for a DES provider near you or contact us for more information.
Useful Link
DES Guidelines on the Department of Social Services website
Useful Downloads
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