Employment assistance for people with a disability 001-02230000

There are 2 main types of employment assistance available to customers with a disability:

• Disability Employment Services (DES) - for customers with an assessed current and future work capacity below 30 hours per week (provided they meet general eligibility criteria)
• Workforce Australia - for customers with a disability, illness or injury who do not qualify for DES

The type of employment assistance offered to a customer depends on the level of assistance they need to increase their capacity to obtain and retain work. This is usually assessed in either an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) or a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA).

Some customers are exempt from needing an ESAt/JCA, this includes:

• Work Assist participants
• Special Class Clients (SCC)
• Eligible School Leavers (ESL)

These customers generally register directly with the DES provider.

Customers who live in a Department of Employment and Workplace Relations designated remote area are referred to a Community Development Program (CDP) provider. The CDP provider will provide similar services to both Workforce Australia and DES.

Customers are encouraged to increase their economic and social participation through individually tailored assistance and to increase their work capacity if possible. Many people with a disability are willing to work, study and participate in whatever way they can, but face significant obstacles. Service Officers should recognise an individual's capacity to participate and provide support and assistance for people to achieve their potential.

The following points should be discussed with the customer:

• advantages of work, for example:
• income
• involvement in community
• self-esteem
• current circumstances, changes to condition and how it affects them. Investigate whether work (part-time or full-time) is of interest to them
• participation in employment assistance does not affect eligibility for Disability Support Pension (DSP)
• customers who do not receive a payment with mutual obligation requirements or are not subject to DSP participation requirements, can volunteer to be referred to an employment services provider. However, there are limits to:
• the length of engagement, and
• eligibility for Disability Employment Services (DES)
• if they receive a payment with mutual obligation requirements or are subject to DSP participation requirements, DES or a similar activity might satisfy (or contribute towards satisfying) these requirements
• other payments and services that may assist in participation, for example:
• Family Day Care Services/vacation care programs
• possibility of Mobility Allowance (MOB)
• State taxi transport subsidy
• if engaged with DES or a Workforce Australia Employment Services Provider, they may be referred to Self-Employment Assistance or other structured programs of employment assistance

Services Australia can refer customers to other government programs at the same time to help them find employment, such as:

• Skills for Education and Employment (SEE)
• Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
• Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE)
• Self-Employment Assistance

This complements the assistance provided through Employment Services Providers.

It is usually only appropriate for a customer to participate in multiple programs at the same time where:

• they have capacity to fully participate, and
• doing so benefits them

Customers should first talk to their employment service provider if they are interested in participating in multiple programs at the same time.

ADE was previously known as Disability Supported Employment or Business Services and is funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

The ADE program provides employment opportunities for people who:

• have a disability that is permanent or likely to be permanent, and
• due to their disability, need ongoing support to gain and maintain employment, or access supported employment

Services Australia no longer has a role in assessment or referral to ADE.