If you are an employer working towards a more inclusive workplace, neurodiversity may already be part of your considerations. Neurodiverse employees bring different ways of thinking, problem-solving and working. Many employers want clear, practical guidance on what this looks like at work. Neurodiversity is more common than many people realise. In fact, 15 to 20 per cent of the population is…, Myth 1: Neurodiverse employees are less productive, Fact:, In the right setting, neurodiverse employees can be as productive as their co-workers – and sometimes even more. Research from JPMorgan Chase found that autistic employees in their, Autism at Work, program were 90 to 140 per cent more productive than their colleagues . They also made fewer mistakes. Productivity is not about everyone working in the same way. It is about giving people the tools and support to do their job well. , Myth 2: Hiring neurodiverse employees is expensive or complicated, Fact:, Most workplace adjustments are low-cost or free and many help everyone. Simple changes can make a big difference. These may include: flexible working hours clear written instructions quieter workspaces. These changes can improve productivity, morale, and wellbeing across the whole team. If an adjustment does have a cost, support is available. The Australian Government’s Employment Assistance Fund…, Myth 3: Neurodiverse employees won’t fit into workplace culture, Fact:, Strong workplace cultures value difference, not sameness. Teams with people who think differently are often more innovative and adaptable. JobAccess data shows that workplaces supporting employees with disability often have: lower staff turnover higher engagement stronger teams. Inclusive workplaces help everyone feel valued and supported., Myth 4: Neurodiverse people are only suited to specific jobs., Fact:, Neurodivergent people work successfully across all industries and roles. The 2025 EY Global Neuroinclusion at Work Study found that neurodivergent employees have strong skills in areas such as: resilience, flexibility, and adaptability creative thinking. The key is understanding individual needs and providing practical support. JobAccess, together with, Inclusive Employment Australia, providers, can help employers with inclusive job design and recruitment. This support helps attract and keep a wide range of candidates. Check out our ‘ Working with Inclusive Employment Australia guide for employers ’ for more information., Myth 5: Employees must disclose their neurodiversity to get support, Fact:, Disclosure is a personal choice. Employees only need to share what is relevant to their role. This allows employers to put supports in place, such as new equipment, flexible hours or changes to the work environment. JobAccess provides guidance on having respectful conversations about workplace adjustments and building supportive workplaces. Information for employees when talking about their…, Making neurodiversity work for your business, Neurodiverse employees are an important part of a strong, diverse workforce. We offer free advice, resources and funding support to help you. Give us a call to get started today on 1800 464 800 or find out more at: https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/i-am-an-employer *Source: Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS) fact sheet (PDF) .
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News
Many employers have enjoyed the benefits of working with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC)., Alumni include:, A, ACT Government Active Monash ADP Employer Services Alexandrina Council Anglicare SQ Anglicare WA ANZ Apprenticeship Careers Australia Attorney-General's Department – SA Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) Australia Post Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian…, B, BAE Systems Ballarat YMCA Bangarra Dance Theatre and Sydney Dance Company Bank Australia Bankstown City Council Baptistcare Bass Coast Shire Council Bayside City Council Bellingen Shire Council Bolton Clarke Boral Brisbane Catholic Education, C, Cenitex Central Highlands Water CEVA Logistics CHOICE Circana City of Adelaide City of Ballarat City of Boroondara City of Darebin City of Fremantle City of Gold Coast Council City of Greater Bendigo City of Greater Dandenong City of Moonee Valley City of Newcastle City of Parramatta Council City of Ryde Council City of Stonnington City of Whittlesea City of Yarra Clifford Hallam Healthcare (CH2…, D, Deakin University Delaware North Deloitte Department for Child Protection – SA Department for Education, Children and Young People (Tas) Department for Energy and Mining (SA) Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Department of Communities Tasmania Department of Defence Department of Education - QLD…, D continued, Department of Health Queensland Department of Home Affairs Department of Housing and Public Works QLD Department of Immigration and Border Protection Department of Jobs and Small Business Department of Justice and Attorney General – QLD Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC Department of Justice NSW Department of Justice TAS Department of Justice WA Department of Mines, Industry…, E, EBM Insurance Essential Energy EW Tipping Foundation, F, Faculty of Education – Monash University Federation University Flinders University Ford Australia Frankston City Council, G, George Weston Foods Glen Eira City Council Gold Coast Health Gold Corporation – The Perth Mint GOTAFE Goulburn Murray Water Greater Western Water, H, Hays Specialist Recruitment HealthShare NSW Heritage Bank Hobsons Bay City Council, I, icare IKEA Adelaide Inner West Council International Flavors & Fragrances (Australia) Pty Ltd IP Australia Ipswich City Council IQVIA, J, Jewish Care John Holland, K, Keolis Downer Northern Beaches Pty. Ltd Knox City Council, L, Latrobe Community Health Service LaTrobe University Legal Aid Queensland Leichhardt Municipal Council L'Oréal, M, Marrickville Council MedHealth Group Pty Ltd MEGT Mercer Australia Mercy Health Microsoft Australia Ministry of Health Monash University – Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Merri-bek City Council Museum Victoria, N, National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Nillumbik Shire Council Northeast Health Wangaratta Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) NSW Department of Communities and Justice, O, Office of the Commissioner of Public Sector Employment, P, Penrith City Council Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Pilbara Ports Authority Port Stephens Council Powerlink Queensland PricewaterhouseCoopers Programmed Skilled Workforce Prok Conveyor Components Pty Ltd Public Sector Commission WA Public Service Commission – QLD, Q, QIC QSuper Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Queensland Rail Queensland Treasury Queensland Urban Utilities, R, Richmond Football Club Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, S, SACARE Scentre Group Seeing Machines SEEK Ltd. Services Australia Settlement Services International (SSI) Shangri-La Hotel SkyBus Sofitel Sydney Wentworth South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Southern Metropolitan Health Service Sparke Helmore Lawyers Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Spotless Group Ltd St John of God Health Care Stockland Surf Coast Shire Sutherland Shire Council…, T, TAL Tatts Group Telstra Thales Australia The Royal Automobile Club Queensland (RACQ) Town of Port Hedland Toyota Finance Services Transdev Australasia Pty Ltd Transport for NSW, U, Unilever Australia Group Pty Ltd Uniting SA University of Adelaide University of Southern Queensland (USQ) University of Technology Sydney University of Western Australia, V, VicHealth Victoria Police Victorian Public Sector Commission Vikings Group Virgin Australia, W, Water Corporation Waverley Council Woollahra Municipal Council Woolworths Ltd Worley, Y, Yarra Ranges Council YMCA SA YMCA Whittlesea , Join the list, These companies have welcomed people with disability as valued employees, and realise that employing people with disability makes good business sense . If you’d like your organisation to join the list of employers leading the way in workplace diversity, call a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 .
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Articles
The City of Casey is home to more than 413,000 people. It is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in Victoria. To reflect the community it serves, the City looked at increasing disability representation in its workforce. To achieve this, the City partnered with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) . The NDRC is JobAccess' employer engagement service. It partners with…, Being inclusive with good practice, Christina Harbis, , the Talent Acquisition Advisor at the City of Casey, says finding areas for improvement is important for inclusion. “We aimed to assess our inclusive practices, particularly in the recruitment process. We wanted to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Our goal was to ensure we are as inclusive as possible when attracting, recruiting, and onboarding new staff,” Christina says. During their…, Concrete, positive, and long-term changes, Christina says that NDRC’s support helped the City identify gaps in their recruitment practices. It also provided them with actionable insights to improve. The NDRC’s support has influenced our long-term strategies for fostering a more accessible workplace., Christina Harbis, Talent Acquisition Advisor City of Casey “Through NDRC’s detailed review, we gained a clearer understanding of how to remove barriers and better support candidates with disability. This has led to changes in our processes. They now ensure a more inclusive experience from recruitment through to onboarding. The NDRC’s support has influenced our long-term strategies for fostering a more accessible…, Are you looking to build a disability-confident workplace? Talk to the experts. , The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) partners with employers to develop inclusive workplace policies. They also advise on good practice to support people with disability. The NDRC also provides a vacancy distribution service to employers. It offers other services too. These include workplace training and employer seminars on disability awareness. Call us at 1800 464 800 to…
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Stories
The Department for Child Protection (DCP) , SA plays a pivotal role in keeping children and young people safe from abuse and harm. It also offers care to those who experience neglect in their family homes. With a view to improve workforce diversity, DCP partnered with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) . The NDRC is JobAccess' employer engagement service. It partners with…, Commitment to build a supportive and accessible work culture, The DCP's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2024 outlines steps to promote the rights of South Australians living with disability. It ensures that everyone enjoys equal access and inclusion within the community. It also details strategies to improve access to the services DCP offers., Teresa Di Manno, , Team Leader, Recruitment at DCP, emphasises their commitment to disability inclusion. “The Department is currently working to set realistic, impactful goals. We are looking to increase disability representation within DCP. We also aim to improve accessibility across all stages of employment, from recruitment to retention." , Building disability confidence through NDRC partnership, Teresa said she learned about the NDRC through discussions on improving diversity and inclusion at DCP. “Some peers in the public sector network highly recommended JobAccess. They had worked with the NDRC before and found JobAccess very helpful when it comes to creating a more inclusive workplace," Teresa recalls. After learning about the service, DCP signed up for a partnership with the NDRC. “…, Removing workplace barriers to improve disability inclusion, A NDRC Professional Adviser worked with Teresa and the team at DCP. “The adviser did an extensive review of our recruitment policies and processes. This led to a significant improvement," said Teresa. “He also delivered disability awareness training to our leadership team and hiring managers. It offered insights on how to reduce workplace barriers for people with disability.” Teresa shared that…, Teresa Di Manno, Team Leader, Recruitment Department for Child Protection Teresa adds, “Partnering with JobAccess made us more proactive. Now, we can identify and address workplace barriers more easily. We’ve also made other adjustments, including changes to our recruitment process, improved workplace accessibility, and inclusive communication.” “JobAccess has helped us create a more supportive and accessible…, A cultural shift within the Department, Teresa shares that the support DCP received from the NDRC team was tremendous. “JobAccess has helped position us as a more inclusive employer, which we are committed to maintaining.” , Teresa Di Manno, Team Leader, Recruitment Department for Child Protection “We’ve seen a significant cultural shift within DCP. Our understanding of disability inclusion has deepened.” Teresa concludes, “JobAccess has helped position us as a more inclusive employer, which we are committed to maintaining.” , Are you looking to build a disability confident workplace? Talk to the experts., , The National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) partners with larger employers. The team works with employers to create inclusive workplace policies that support disability employment. The NDRC also provides a vacancy distribution service to employers – big or small. Call JobAccess at 1800 464 800 to connect with the NDRC. You can also submit an online enquiry form through the JobAccess…
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Stories
Created in October 1975, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) was born to meet the growing call for ethnic broadcasting in Australia as a result of higher migration after World War II. Forty-four years on, diversity is still at the heart of everything for SBS. Developing and delivering content for diverse audiences using multiple platforms – from free-to-air TV to on-demand digital streaming…, Small wins start the conversation, A dedicated NDRC Professional Adviser worked alongside Anne to review SBS’ recruitment policies and procedures through the lens of a person with disability. “There are always small wins you can tick off along the way. For example, asking candidates if they require any workplace adjustments in the application stage and not just upon commencing employment,” shares Anne. “It’s the simple changes…, Getting candidates with disability through the door, A vital outcome of the NDRC partnership is to build an ongoing and sustainable pipeline of candidates with disability for the employer. One way to achieve this is by establishing connections with local Disability Employment Services (DES) providers . The NDRC organised an employer information session for DES providers at SBS as part of the partnership. The session provided an opportunity for the…, A pragmatic, ongoing journey to disability confidence, Having completed the 12-month partnership with the NDRC in June 2021, SBS joined the JobAccess Alumni [add_link] – a cohort of more than 150 public and private organisations across Australia committed to disability inclusion in the workplace. Anne believes SBS’ journey in gaining disability confidence has just started. “One piece of advice the NDRC shared with us was ‘don’t be perfect, we all…
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Stories
Nicole Vongdara, Senior Manager, Diversity and Inclusion at PwC, One of the biggest employers in the world is dedicated to employing people with disability. Why? “For an organisation of our size, and with such varied capabilities, we’d be restricting our view or ability to get talent if we didn’t consider hiring people with disability,” says Nicole Vongdara, Senior Manager, Diversity and Inclusion at PwC Australia. One in five Australians lives with disability…
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Stories
As Principal at, Burns and Associates Solicitors, , David Burns has been running his Brisbane-based law firm specialising in commercial court litigation since 1992. Their primary goal, he says, is to help people walk through the complex legal system without going to a court trial. “We are part of a trusted legal system to assist with disputes between people concerning money. Court trials can be stressful, time-consuming and costly, and we aim…, JobAccess, through Quantum – a provider of products and services for people with low vision – and went on to apply for the Employment Assistant Fund (EAF) through the JobAccess website. What is the Employment Assistance Fund? The Australian Government provides funding through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) to help cover the costs of making changes in the workplace. These can include buying equipment,…, Employment Assistance Fund, , contact a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 or submit an online enquiry .
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Stories
Grant Everett, Assistant Publications Officer of Panorama Magazine, Grant Everett is a published author, and has worked for the past three years as a full-time co-writer and designer at Panorama Magazine , a publication dedicated to helping people on their mental health recovery journey. The magazine is created by people who are dealing with mental health issues, and prides itself on having a practical approach towards recovery that is grounded in experience.…, Scum of the Universe, ” , published as an ebook, along with “, Totally, Utterly Screwed, ” and “, Where Did All The Humans Go?, ” next in the pipeline. You can read his first book on Smashwords .
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Stories
With the support of JobAccess and the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC), The Perth Mint has not only made its recruitment practices more inclusive, but has also recently employed a person with disability who is making a significant contribution to its records team. When she started with Gold Corporation (The Perth Mint) ,, Kristen Potter, , Group Manager of Organisational and Cultural Development, had already partnered with JobAccess across several previous workplaces and considered them to be a valuable national service. With a background in disability employment, Kristen had achieved some great results working with the National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) , including the successful recruitment of candidates with…, Building disability confidence, Funded by the Australian Government as a program of JobAccess, the NDRC is designed to help larger employers attract, employ, and retain the skills and talents of people with disability. Employers can partner with the NDRC for 12 months and are assigned a dedicated professional adviser who provides help to increase disability confidence across the organisation as well as tailored strategies for…, Starting the journey at The Perth Mint, Being early in the organisation’s diversity, inclusion and equity journey, Kristen was seeking guidance from subject matter experts on how to improve their practices and culture to ultimately be a more inclusive organisation to work for. “When The Perth Mint engaged the NDRC, our main objectives were to review our policy frameworks and our recruitment process to ensure they were inclusive and…, Inclusive recruitment outcomes, Kristen believes The Perth Mint’s participation in the NDRC program has increased their disability confidence, not only within their HR team, but more broadly across the organisation. “It was reassuring for our People and Culture team to be able to refer to our NDRC representative for advice and guidance throughout the recruitment review process,” she said. “They were able to identify areas of…, A new team member, Following the support and guidance The Perth Mint received from its 12-month partnership with the NDRC, and with additional support from Down Syndrome WA (DSWA) , the company recently appointed, Joshua Ford, as a Records Assistant. “Securing open employment has meant Joshua has been able to build confidence and financial independence, whilst developing new skills,” Kristen says. While we received specialised support from DSWA, it was the partnership with JobAccess and the NDRC that enabled us to build the foundational skills and culture to be able to successfully attract, appoint and retain this…, An inclusive future, Although they have now completed the partnership, Kristen says the company remains in contact with the NDRC for advice and support and to participate as an Alumni partner. “The partnership with JobAccess and the NDRC has been a positive experience with great outcomes, and we’re looking forward to continuing our relationship into the future. “Employee diversity, inclusion, and engagement is now a…
Type:
Stories
Donna Purcell, Senior Manager Accessibility and Capability Advice at Commonwealth Bank, Common activities many of us take for granted aren’t always so easy for people with disability. Take business travel, for example. “For a person with a disability, one of the most frustrating things is having access to information when I’m staying in a hotel,” says Donna Purcell, Senior Manager Accessibility and Capability Advice at Commonwealth Bank Australia. Donna is part of the Group Customer…
Type:
Stories
