Disability awareness training

There is a range of training options to help your management and employees get a better understanding of disability and mental health. Your organisation may be able to get funding to cover the costs of training.

Arranging awareness training

Disability awareness training provides information and tips about disability in the workplace. It can help your team:

• get a better understanding about disability, including facts, research and myths
• learn tips to support good practice in your workplace
• create a more supportive and inclusive workplace
• communicate and work well together.

There are a few options for organisations to arrange awareness training. For example:

• many employer organisations and consultancy services provide training, such as the Australian Disability Network
• you can get free disability awareness training if you are a partner of the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator
• if your organisation is working with a Disability Employment Services provider, they may be able to come into your workplace and speak to staff about working with people with disability
• there are free online disability awareness training

Mental health first aid

Mental health first aid training can give your team the knowledge and skills to support each other through mental health at work. For more information, visit the Mental Health First Aid website.

For information, resources and tools to help you support workplace mental health, visit Work and mental health on the Beyond Blue website.

Deaf awareness and Auslan training

If one or more of your employees is deaf or has a hearing impairment, your team can take part in deaf awareness training. This training gives management and staff an insight into:

• the lives and needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• the Deaf community
• ways to better communicate with co-workers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

If one or more of your employees uses Auslan, your team can also do basic Auslan training.

You can contact JobAccess for more information on training courses.

Financial support for awareness training

Your organisation may be able to get financial assistance through the Employment Assistance Fund to have staff take part in awareness training. That includes training about disability, mental health, deafness and Auslan. 

A JobAccess Adviser can help you work out which programs your organisation is eligible for. Contact JobAccess for more information.