The Supported Wage System (SWS) lets employers pay an employee with disability based on their productivity. Learn about who can use SWS, the assessment process and where to apply., Matching pay with work, Most employees with disability work at the same rate as other employees. However, some disabilities might affect how much a person can get done each day. In these cases, employers can use an SWS assessment to decide a fair wage. The assessment checks how long an employee takes to do their job, compared to a standard time. The amount of work the employee can do in a given time is called their…, Who can use the SWS?, Employers or service providers can put in an application for the SWS. They can apply for employees in open or supported employment. SWS is available for: new employees with disability current employees with disabilities, if they can’t do as much work, risk losing their job. To be eligible for the SWS, the employee with disability must: be an Australian citizen or permanent resident be 15 years of…, The application process, You apply for the SWS online through JobAccess Secure . JobAccess Secure login After you apply, the Department of Social Services (DSS) Assessment Team will check the application and if the employee eligibility. The employee will then start a work trial. An SWS assessor will visit to assess their work productivity. Visit How to apply for the SWS for more on the application process and information…, Getting an SWS assessment, After approval of the SWS application, an assessor will visit the workplace to do a free assessment. The assessor will arrange this. The assessor does an assessment with the employer, employee, service provider and, if there is one, the nominee. The assessor will visit at a time that suits everyone on an employee's normal workday. The assessor will look at information such as: the employee's job…, Review assessments, If an employee has a SWS wage under the Supported Employment Services Award, they will have a review every 12 months. They can have an assessment sooner. For example, if the employee’s job or work tasks change. If an employee is on a productivity-based wage under the Supported Employment Services Award, they will have one review. Additional review assessments can also be requested. For example,…, One-off payments for employers, As part of the SWS application, employers can apply for a one-off $1,000 payment. It helps cover the cost of employing a person with disability in a new job. The payment is only available if the employee: gets no support from a government funded employment service, such as Disability Employment Services or the NDIS is employed for at least 13 weeks, working at least 8 hours a week. After 13 weeks…, Learning modules for SWS under Supported Employment Services Award 2020, The DSS has a set of 5 online learning modules to help explain the SWS for people employed under the Supported Employment Services Award 2020. The modules are easy to follow and have resources that may help employers. Module 1 – Introduction to the SWS Module 2 – Benchmarking Module 3 – Collecting Workplace Data Module 4 – Preparing for and participating in an assessment Module 5 – Validation of…
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Employers and service providers can apply for the Supported Wage System (SWS) online. The SWS is a way to base the wage of an employee with disability on the amount of work they can do., Who can apply, Employers or service providers can put in an application for the SWS. They can apply for employees in open employment or supported employment. SWS is available for: new employees with disability current employees with disability, if they can’t do the same amount of work they used to, and they risk losing their job. The employee must be eligible for the SWS. There is information about eligibility…, The application process, You apply for the SWS online through JobAccess Secure. JobAccess Secure login An employer or service provider applies online for the employee with disability. The Department of Social Services (DSS) Assessment Team checks if the employee is eligible. They will organise an SWS eligibility test with Centrelink if needed. If the employee is eligible the assessment team approves the SWS application.…, Information you need to apply, To fill in the form, you’ll need a few details about: the employee – including the type of disability they have the nominee – if the employee has one the employer – including the type of business, contact details and ABN the job – including the employee’s role, start date and hours of work a week. You can search for an employer’s ABN on the Australian Business Register website. There is space at…, Getting help, If you have questions about applying for the SWS, call the DSS Assessment Team on 1800 065 123 . You can also contact a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 or through our online enquiry form .
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If you need workplace changes, equipment or services to help you or your employee, you can apply online for the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). Find out about the process and the information you need to apply., Who can apply, The EAF supports people with disability who are eligible . You can apply for the EAF if you’re: an employer an employee self-employed a job seeker a service provider. A person with disability can also ask a friend, relative or advocate to apply for them as their nominee., The application process, Before you start, Check if you’re eligible to use the EAF . Check what costs the EAF covers . Get together the information you need to fill out the online form. You’ll need a few details about the employer and the equipment, changes or services you need (There is more information about this below.), What is a valid myGov account for registering with JobAccess?, You may have already registered and have a myGov account. For registering with JobAccess, some linkages or lack of thereof, will result in failure. A valid myGov account to register with JobAccess must be any of these: A myGov Linked to your Digital ID A myGov linked to Medicare and/or Centrelink And must use one of the below valid myGov sign in method that meet the minimum required credential…, The applications steps , You apply for the EAF online through JobAccess Secure . JobAccess Secure login You put in an application for the EAF. JobAccess assesses the application. This can take up to, 10 working days, . A JobAccess Adviser will contact you to ask for any documents they need. JobAccess lets you know if the application will go ahead and if you need a workplace assessment. If you do, JobAccess will arrange it for you for free. After you get approval, you buy the items and services. JobAccess pays back the costs. Information about how to claim back the costs is in the EAF guidelines . It’s also in…, Applying as a nominee, If you’re a friend, relative or advocate applying for the EAF on behalf of a person with disability, you need to: have permission in writing from the person tell the person and their employer about the EAF process and terms and conditions tell them about the progress of the application fill out the information on Nominee tab in the online EAF application. You can find the terms and conditions in…, Information you need to apply, Employer details, To fill in the online form you’ll need to know, or have handy: the type of business how long the employee has worked there or the date they will start the name of the business and the business’s ABN the address of the business the employer’s name and contact details. You can search for an ABN on the Australian Business Register website. If you’re looking for a job, you don’t need to fill in this…, Items and costs, If you know what changes, equipment or services you need, list them at the Items/Modifications tab of the online form. Include the cost for each. If you don’t know what an item costs, put $0.00 as the Item Cost. If you’re not sure what equipment or modifications you need, in the online form: under Item Type choose ’Other‘ from the menu under Description, type in ‘to be determined’ and go to the…, Ownership and reimbursement, For each item you’re asking for, you also need to include: who will own it – this is usually the employee with disability, unless the funding is for something you can’t take with you to another job, like a change to a building who is paying for it – this is who JobAccess will reimburse or pay back the money to., Getting quotes, You will need to get quotes after you discuss your application with a JobAccess Adviser. If you don’t know what something costs you can put $0.00 in the online form as the Item Cost. How many quotes you will need depends on the cost of each item or modification. JobAccess will give you more information if your application is approved. , Getting help from JobAccess, A JobAccess Adviser can help you to apply. Call us on 1800 464 800 or fill out our online enquiry form ., Why your application might be declined, There are conditions that you must meet for your EAF application to be approved. For example, your application won’t be approved if: you don’t meet the eligibility rules your application isn’t complete you don’t provide the supporting information there isn’t enough proof that the change or item you’re asking for will help you do your job or improve your work productivity you have already bought…, Telling your employer , You will usually need to let your employer know that you’re applying for the EAF. JobAccess will need to contact them to check the information in your application and to organise a workplace assessment if needed. If you are worried about sharing information about your disability with your employer, please contact a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 to talk about your situation.
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Ongoing Support (Work Assist) is available to employees with disability, injury or a health condition who need support to maintain their job or are having difficulty performing the essential functions of a job due to the impact of their disability, injury or health condition. An Inclusive Employment Australia provider will work with you and your employer to provide support to keep your job.…, How do you get help? , You will need to talk to and register directly with an Inclusive Employment Australia provider. At the first interview they will talk about your circumstances, your Employment situation and any support needs you may have. If the provider considers that you need Ongoing Support (Work Assist) to maintain your job, they will seek your agreement to receive Ongoing Support (Work Assist) and ask you…, What help can you get?, Ongoing Support (Work Assist) help can include: face-to-face support, such as meeting in person for appointments advice about redesigning a job, for example changing or swapping tasks managing workplace changes referrals to health support services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pain management or counselling. It is your choice if you want to talk to people at work about your…, Who is eligible?, To get Work Assist, you need to: be currently employed have a disability, injury or health condition (this will be confirmed by the Inclusive Employment Australia provider) be working at an average of at least 8 or more hours per week have been working in that job over a consecutive period of at least 12 weeks, or there is an expectation that the job will last for at least 12 weeks be assessed by…, How to apply for Work Assist, Contact an Inclusive Employment Australia to apply for Ongoing Support (Work Assist) services. Find an Inclusive Employment Australia provider near you. For more information call a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 or fill out our online enquiry form .
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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…, 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…, 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.
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With nearly 40 years of experience helping people with disabilities find meaningful work, The Personnel Group is one of Australia’s most successful disability employment providers. We offer personalised support to match you with the right job. A dedicated mentor, backed by our training, recruitment and health teams, will help build your skills and confidence. Let’s get started today — call 1300…
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The Australian Government has a range of programs and services to make sure people with disability have equal opportunity. This includes advocacy, day programs, language and support services., National Disability Advocacy Program, The National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) can help you get free support to protect your rights as a person with disability. An NDAP agency can speak, act or write for you to make sure your needs are met. For more information: visit the Department of Social Services NDAP page email disabilityadvocacy@dss.gov.au use the ‘Ask Izzy’ website to find a disability advocate near you., National Relay Service, If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, the National Relay Service (NRS) can help you. The NRS lets you communicate with a hearing person using a phone. Depending on the type of call, a Relay Officer will help communication using voice, text or AUSLAN. For more information: visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts…, Day options or day programs, Day options or day programs give adults with disability the chance to learn new skills and feel part of their local community. Contact your state or territory government for more information:, ACT, Website: www.communityservices.act.gov.au Telephone: 02 6207 1086, NSW, Website: https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/coniston/service-and-support-for-older-people,-people-with-a-disability-and-their-families-and-carers Telephone: 1300 555 727, NT, Website: https://health.nt.gov.au/ Telephone: 08 899 2400, Qld, Website: www.qld.gov.au/disability Telephone: 13 74 68, SA, For more information about programs in South Australia, please contact the NDIS: Website: www.ndis.gov.au/contact Telephone: 1800 800 110 Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au, Tas, Website: www.dhhs.tas.gov.au Telephone: 1300 135 513, Vic, Website: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/department-of-health-and-human-services Telephone: 1800 783 783, WA, Fax: 08 9226 2306 Telephone: 08 9426 9200 or 1800 998 214 (free call) TTY: 08 9426 9315 Email: dsc@dsc.wa.gov.au Address: Department of Communities, Disability Services 146–160 Colin Street West Perth WA 6005 PO Box 44 West Perth WA 6872, Hearing Services Program, If you need help with the cost of hearing services, the Australian Government Hearing Services Program may be able to help you. These services include: hearing assessments subsidised devices, such as hearing aids ongoing support and maintenance for your device rehabilitation services annual reviews. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible, visit the Hearing Services Program…, Mail for the blind, If you’re blind or vision impaired, Australia Post may deliver some items for free or at a discount. For more information, visit the Australia Post Mail for the blind page .
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