You can ask for help to take part in a job interview if you need it because of a disability. This might include help with communication, extra time or transport.

What kind of help can you get?

Getting support can help make sure you have an equal chance during the interview process.

For example :

• if you are deaf or hearing impaired, you might need a sign language interpreter at the interview
• if you have autism, you might ask for the interview questions in advance so you have more time to think about them
• if you are vision impaired, you might ask for more instructions and extra time to get to the interview
• if you have a learning disability, you might ask for more time to do any written tests that are part of the hiring process.

This kind of help is called a ‘reasonable adjustment’. If you need reasonable adjustments, contact the employer about this before the interview. Be clear about why you are mentioning your disability and what you need.

What employers must do

The employer has to take your disability into account for the interview. This is the law. That includes taking steps to support you in the process.

If the employer wants advice about how to make reasonable adjustments, they can:

• contact our JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800
• find out more on our website.

Organising a sign language interpreter for an interview

If you need an Auslan interpreter with you at your interview, your disability employment service (DES) provider can help organise this.

If you don’t have a DES provider, you may be able to get funding for an Auslan interpreter through the Employment Assistance Fund.

You usually need to book interpreters for at least 2 hours. If the work lasts for more than an hour, or is particularly difficult, you usually need a team of two interpreters.