Jobseeker & Employment Options For People With Disabilities

Official government information and support

• JobAccess

  Created by the Australian Government, JobAccess is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers. This is probably the first stop on your search – they have accurate and extensive information on everything from writing cover letters and doing job interviews, to talking to people in your company about disabilities, and getting financial assistance.

• Employment Assistance Fund

  The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) gives financial help to eligible people with disability and mental health conditions and employers to buy work-related modifications, equipment, Auslan services and workplace assistance and support services. The EAF is available to eligible people with disability who are about to start a job, are self-employed or who are currently working. It is also available to people with disability who need Auslan assistance or special work equipment to look for and prepare for a job.

• jobactive

  On the jobactive website, you can find personalised support for your job search with a range of service providers, including (but not limited to) Disability Employment Services providers. Start with the quiz to find out which services are right for you, and then locate providers nearby.

• NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)

  The NDIS website provides helpful guides to finding, keeping and changing jobs as a person with disability. Their information is specifically targeted at people using the NDIS, and explains how they can help you along the way. They have a new program called the School Leaver Employment Support which helps high school students move into employment.

• Protection from discrimination at work

  It isn’t all rosy out there, so equip yourself with the facts. This is official information and advice from the Fair Work Ombudsman on discrimination at work. Their guide goes into how to tell what is and isn’t discrimination, how to get help if you or someone you know faces discrimination, and how to deal with it in a way that protects your wellbeing.

Find a DES provider

• Clickability

  A directory of disability services in Australia, rated and reviewed.

Specialty employment services

• Settlement Service International - Disability Employment Services

  SSI support newcomers to Australia and they have a specific service for those who experience disabilities. Their staff speak over 98 languages.

• Sign for Work

  Sign for Work specialise in support for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Tools and guides

• What is the role of the NDIS in supporting employment goals?

  Confused about how all the Australian government agencies, initiatives, and services work? This brief article explains how the NDIS and DES fit into the government’s support strategy. And if you find this helpful, they also have a regularly updated blog with NDIS resources.

• jobseeker Toolkit from Australian Network on Disability

  A range of Word docs you can download with advice for the job search, including cover letters and interview tips, explicitly targeted at people with disabilities.

• How to link jobactive with myGov

  Step by step guide to using myGov with jobactive, plus support if you have trouble navigating the systems.

Programs

• Stepping Into

  The Australian Network on Disability runs an internship program for tertiary students moving into work. You’ll be placed into paid work experience either a private or public sector organisation. The internships run for 152+ hours or 4 weeks full-time work in summer and winter semester breaks.

• PACE Mentoring

  Also run by the AND, the Positive Action towards Career Engagement program matches you to an experienced professional for career mentoring. Over 16 weeks, you will meet with a mentor for at least 8 sessions.

• RecruitAbility for the Australian Public Service

  RecruitAbility is a government scheme which aims to change recruitment culture, enabling more people with disabilities to work in the Australian Public Service (APS). It applies to all job openings in the APS, including high level senior executive roles. All APS job postings can be found at APS jobs.

Job Search Websites

Community Resources

• Ask Izzy

  Ask Izzy is a service that can connect you to service providers in your community across a wide array of areas, from housing to counselling, training, and legal help.

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