EMPLOYMENT

What is it?
JobAccess is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers. Within this hub is many different subsidies and schemes that are available to disabled persons. There are also services of support for employers who may be subsidised for providing jobs for people with disabilities and making appropriate, necessary workplace modifications.

JobAccess can help you search for:

• Financial support – see the Employment Assistance Fund and the Disabled Australian Apprenticeship Wage Support

• Information on Workplace modifications – see the Employment Assistance Fund

• Help with finding and changing jobs, and connecting with employers –through resources such as JobActive, Australian Disability Enterprises and National Disability Recruitment Coordination, PaTH Internships

• Advice on careers, writing a resume, preparing for interviews and more – see Disability Employment Services

• Providers and peak bodies and a range of other tools and resources for people with disabilities, employers and service providers.

For more information visit: www.jobaccess.gov.au

What is it?
The service offers support for people with disabilities seeking employment through Disability Employment Services (DES) providers.

DES providers help people with disabilities look for, find and keep a job. Disability Employment Services providers are a mix of large, medium and small, for-profit and not-for-profit organisations that are experienced in supporting job seekers with disability and experienced helping businesses to put in place practices that support the employee in the workplace.

Your DES provider will also determine whether you are eligible for work-based personal assistance.

Where can you find more information?
View more information at: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/disability-and-carers/programmes-services/disability-employment-services

What is it?
The EAF gives financial help to people with disabilities and mental health conditions, as well as employers, to buy work related modifications and services. The EAF is available to people with disabilities who are about to start a job or who are currently working. It is also available to people with disabilities who are self-employed, and jobseekers who require special work equipment to look for and prepare for a job.

EAF can organise a free Workplace Modification Assessment to work out what modifications will best meet your needs and help you to do your job. The assessor will recommend any equipment or modifications from the assessment and liaise with you and your employer to find and access solutions to make your workplace more flexible and accessible. An assessment is necessary if they require financial assistance is over $1 000.

Note that you may be able to have modifications funded by an NDIS plan, in which case EAF is not applicable.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible if:

• You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, except if you hold a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV), and

• You are currently in a job that is expected to continue for 13 weeks or more, and

• You are working at least 8 hours per week, or 20 hours per week if you are self-employed, and

• You have an ongoing disability that has lasted, or will last, at least 2 years. Your disability must limit, restrict or impair your ability to work.

How do you apply?
Apply or view more information at JobAccess: www.jobaccess.gov.au/employment-assistance-fund-eaf

WORKFORCE AUSTRALIA

What is it?
Workforce Australia is the recruitment service designed specifically to find employment for people who are required to look for work to meet the mutual obligations and requirements of their income support payment.

If you are eligible for Workforce Australia you will be assigned a provider who will help you create a Job Plan. This plan may be to refer you to local employers or simply to provide training and support until you are ready to take up and keep a job

To help job seekers get and keep a job, Workforce Australia providers can access a pool of funds that can pay for work-related items, professional services, relevant training and support after they start work.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible if you get an income support payment and have mutual obligation requirements.

To determine eligibility contact the Department of Human Services, who will also refer you to a Workforce Australia provider if applicable.

Where can you find more information?
View more information at Workforce Australia, or the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website:

• www.dewer.gov.au/workforce-australia

• www.workforceaustralia.gov.au/

What is it?
The SWS increases employment opportunities for people with disabilities through giving employers the opportunity to pay productivity-based wages to people with disabilities where they are not able to perform jobs at the same capacity as any other employee. The agreement will be reached after an SWS assessment from a qualified assessor.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible if:

• The job under consideration is covered by an industrial instrument or legislative provision which permits employment for productivity wages under the SWS, and

• You are an Australian citizen or permanent citizen, and

• You are at least 15 years old, and

• You do not have an outstanding workers compensation claim against the employer, and

• The job under consideration is for a minimum of 8 hours per week, and

• You meet the impairment criteria for receiving the Disability Support Pension.

How do you find more information?
View more information at JobAccess: www.jobaccess.gov.au/supported-wage-system-sws

What is it?
A program to support people to turn a business idea or existing small business into a viable business. This program replaced the New Enterprise Initiative Scheme (NEIS) in July 2022.

The Self-Employment Assistance program can help via workshops, free accredited training, business advise sessions, business health checks and coaching. You may also be eligible for financial support while you start and run your business.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible you must;

• be at least 15 years old (18 years to access small business coaching), and

• be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or holder of a New Zealand Special Category Visa, Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Visa, and

• not be an undischarged bankrupt, and

• meet any additional eligibility criteria specific to the service/s chosen.

Where can you find more information?
To find out more visit the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations website at: dewr.gov.au/self-employment-assistance

What is it?
The Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support program is a payment that assists employers of eligible Australian Apprentices with disabilities.

The assistance is intended to help disabled apprentices to reach their full potential as skilled workers.

The wage support is available to employers who employ an apprentice who becomes disabled during their traineeship.

Tutorial and mentor services are available to Australian apprentices who have been assessed as eligible for Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support.

Where can you find more information?
View more information at: apprenticeships.gov.au/support-and-resources/financial-support-employers

What is it?

Work Assist is support for people at risk of losing their job due to illness, injury or disability. Assistance is provided through your Disability Employment Services provider to provide advice about redesigning your job so you can keep working, having your workplace changed to make it easier for you to work and putting in place specialised equipment in order to help you do your job.

Are you eligible?
You are eligible if:

• You have employed for at least 8 hours a week on average over the last 13 weeks, and

• You are not already receiving assistance from a DES provider.

Where can you find more information?
View more information at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/work-assist