Celebrating twenty years of JobAccess

In 2006, the Australian Government launched JobAccess. What started as a simple idea - that everyone deserves support to find, keep, and thrive at work - has grown into Australia's national hub for disability employment.

Behind the 500,000 clients already supported are stories of people who stayed in work, found their footing, or discovered support they never knew existed.

From three staff to a national service

JobAccess was created in response to a recommendation from the Australian Human Rights Commission. It was designed to be a single, free point of contact for anyone with a question about disability and work, whether they are an employer, a person with disability, or a service provider.

Today, the program delivers three core services:

  • The National Advice Line. An advisory service staffed by frontline professionals offering expert, confidential advice on all aspects of disability employment.
  • The Workplace Adjustments and Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). Provides tailored recommendations and end-to-end support, delivered by allied health professionals with financial assistance available for equipment, building modifications, Auslan interpreting, and more.
  • The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC). Established in 2010 and joined JobAccess in 2016. It partners with larger employers through free, tailored 12-month partnerships to build disability confidence, shift workplace culture, and improve recruitment and retention practices.

Real outcomes that last

A core strength of JobAccess is its ability to deliver lasting employment outcomes, not just short-term support. In 2024, we published landmark research following up with people who received workplace adjustment funding through the EAF.

The results found:

  • 96% of EAF recipients remained employed two years later.
  • 89% were still with the same employer.
  • 94% said the equipment, modification, or service helped them be more productive at work.

These are not short-term outcomes. They are sustainable employment results. The kind that changes the path of a person's working life.

Building employer confidence across Australia

Through the NDRC, JobAccess has partnered with 482 organisations across the public and private sectors, reaching more than 2 million employees. The results show a measurable shift in workplace culture:

  • 87% of NDRC employer partners reported a positive shift in attitude towards employing people with disability
  • 83% said they had increased confidence in employing and retaining candidates with disability

The NDRC has run over 450 disability awareness training sessions, helping more than 12,000 frontline workers gain practical inclusion skills.

"Without JobAccess, many people with disability would resign from work, lose their jobs or be less productive at work. JobAccess provides value for money, as it reduces costs to the Government, economy and society.”

-Department of Social Services independent evaluation,

June 2019.

A team that reflects the people it serves

Behind the service is a team that Georgia says makes JobAccess what it is.

"One of the most special things about the JobAccess program is the team who delivers it. The staff are so committed, so genuine in wanting to reduce barriers at work for people with disability. 90% of the team either live with a disability or care for someone that does."

-Georgia Miller,

National Manager, JobAccess.

That lived experience shapes how the service is delivered and why it continues to be trusted by the people who use it.

Twenty years of milestones

Over two decades, we’ve helped shape how Australia thinks and talks about disability employment. Some of our key milestones include:

As we enter our third decade, the focus remains on the people our service is built for.

"What excites me about the future of JobAccess is more good news stories, more people with amazing employment outcomes - but not just getting work," says Georgia. "Actually progressing in careers. And seeing more people with disability in leadership positions."

Whether you're an employer looking to build a more inclusive workplace or a person with disability exploring your options, we can help. Call us on 1800 464 800 to find out what support is available for you.

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