Australian Government support at work
The Australian Government provides a range of programs and incentives to help people with disability find, keep and change jobs. Some of these programs are designed specifically for people with disability. Other programs are available to the wider community, but may be especially helpful to people with disability who are looking for work.
Work Based Personal Assistance
If you need help at work to eat a meal, use the toilet or take medication, you may be able to get financial help through Work Based Personal Assistance. Work Based Personal Assistance reimburses the costs of personal support services in the workplace for people who need regular help due to their disability or medical condition. For information on Work Based Personal Assistance, including eligibility, speak to your Disability Employment Services (DES) provider.
Supported Employment
Supported employment is when businesses employ mostly people with disability and support them in their job. Supported employees are usually people who work in Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs).
All over Australia, ADEs provide work as varied as packaging, assembly, production, recycling, screen-printing, plant nursery, garden maintenance and landscaping, cleaning services, laundry services and food services.
If you work in an ADE and would like to get a job in open employment, you may be eligible to receive assistance from a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider. This arrangement includes people who receive National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding for supported employment.
You don't have to give up your ADE job to receive DES assistance. An eligible ADE employee can receive assistance through DES for up two years to help them find a job in the open labour market.
Once a suitable job is found, a DES Provider can continue to support you in your job as long as required. You can choose whether to continue your ADE employment and continue to receive NDIS funding for supported employment.
Funding for supported employment provided by ADEs is gradually transitioning to the NDIS. NDIS planners can incorporate supported employment services into NDIS plans if it is reasonable and necessary to do so. For more information on NDIS supported employment, you can visit the NDIS website or call the NDIS on 1800 800 110. If you want to find an ADE or learn more about supported employment visit the BuyAbility website.
Mobility Allowance
Do you have a medical report that says you are unable to use public transport? If you need to travel to and from home for paid work, voluntary work, study or training or to look for work you may be eligible for the Mobility Allowance. The Mobility Allowance can help you cover the costs of travelling for work-related activities. For more information on the Mobility Allowance, speak to your DES provider, visit the Services Australia website, or call 13 27 17.
Job Seeker Classification Instrument and Employment Services Assessment
If you are registered with Centrelink or are seeking assistance from a DES provider and are looking for work, you may need an assessment to help work out the services and support that best meet your needs. These assessments are called the Job Seeker Classification Instrument and the Employment Services Assessment. For more information, speak to a DES provider or visit the Services Australia website.
Work Assist
If you are having trouble fulfilling the essential requirements of your job due to an injury, disability or health condition, you can seek Work Assist support from a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider. A DES provider can work with you and your employer or just you, to help keep you in a job. Assistance available can include:
- Advice about job redesign
- A comprehensive workplace assessment
- Free workplace modifications and/or special equipment
- Support in the workplace to help manage the impact of injury, disability or health condition
- Interventions such as occupational therapy, pain management, physiotherapy and psychological counselling.
A DES provider may also link you with other available services, such as assistance offered by JobAccess.
The help is provided at no cost to you or your employer. For more information call the JobAccess advice line on 1800 464 800 or contact a DES provider. To find a DES provider near you, go to our list of DES providers
Fair Work Commission and Fair Work Ombudsman
The Fair Work Commission may be able to help you if you are being treated unfairly in the workplace because of your disability. The Fair Work Commission can help with disputes that relate to working conditions, workplace bullying and unfair dismissals. For more information, visit the Fair Work Commission website or call 1300 799 675.
If you have issues that relate to your rate of pay, your leave or workplace entitlements, the Fair Work Ombudsman may be able to help you. For more information, visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website or call 13 13 94.
Community Development Program (CDP)
The CDP helps people in remote Australia get ready for work and find secure employment. For more information on CDP, speak to your Disability Employment Services (DES), Community Development Program (CDP) provider or visit the National Indigenous Australians Agency. You can search for a CDP provider in your local area on the Workforce Australia website.
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