Employment support services

Key points

• Many employers are committed to providing inclusive workplaces that enable all employees to succeed and thrive. 
• There are two main kinds of employment support services: Disability Employment Services, funded by the Australian Government, and general employment support or recruitment services, which may or may not be only for people with disabilities.
• Employment support services can often help you apply for a job, so don't hesitate to ask for help.

Employment support and recruitment services

Applying for and getting a job can induce complicated feelings! Sometimes even the thought of updating a resume or attending a job interview might be enough to put you off applying. Luckily, many helpful organisations offer employment assistance and recruitment services. This article is about employment support and recruitment services specifically for people with disability.

Employment support and recruitment services for people with disability might be able to connect you with employers who understand disability. There’s also a good chance these employers will know how to make reasonable adjustments to their recruitment practices and working conditions so people of all abilities can be successful in the workplace. Some disability employment services offer workplace training for employers and staff to understand autism, disability, neurodiversity, and the reasonable adjustments necessary to support autistic employees.

Disability Employment Services (DES)

Organisations that provide Disability Employment Services are often referred to as DES providers.

Disability Employment Services are funded by the Australian Government to help people with a disability find work and maintain employment. A person with a disability, injury, or health condition may be able to receive assistance to prepare for employment, find a job, and receive support in the workplace.

DES providers are a mix of large, medium, and small for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. They can provide support to both the person with a disability and employers.

Accessing Disability Employment Services

Register through the Centrelink employment services line or use the JobAccess site to find a DES provider. You may need to go through an Employment Services Assessment to receive support using these services.

More information

Here are some Disability Employment Services, available in Australia. Some offer assistance to people with a range of disabilities and some provide autism-specific services. Many of these services are funded through an NDIS plan. You can learn more about how to receive employment support through an NDIS plan at the Supports in Employment webpage.

Here is just a selection of the Disability Employment Services available:

atWork Australia

With over 300 locations across Australia, atWork Australia provides a Job Coach to help you secure meaningful work that suits your needs.

MAX Solutions

MAX Solutions can support you from job application to full employment and beyond. They have offices in every state and territory across Australia.

EPIC Assist (QLD and TAS)

EPIC Assist mainly helps school leavers find apprenticeships, traineeships, and other forms of entry-level employment.

DXC Dandelion Program

The DXC Dandelion Program is an employment program for autistic people specialising in areas such as technology, cybersecurity, and analytics.

Specialisterne

Specialisterne operate all over the world to create new jobs for autistic people. They work with businesses to build their capacity and confidence to adopt and implement neuro-inclusive recruitment and workplace practices. They also offer neurodivergent leadership training.

Aspect Capable (VIC)

The Aspect Pathway Program is a community service linked with Aspect. The Pathway Program operates in partnership with Victoria University TAFE and offers autism-specific mentoring and support with:

• increasing attendance in the classroom
• finding work, or
• transitioning into university.

AIM Employment Program (WA)

AIM Employment is run by the Autism Association of Western Australia. This program helps autistic people aged sixteen and over, offering support to find and keep work and help for students transitioning from school to work.

With this many Disability Employment Services available (and more!), you’re sure to find an organisation that can support you through the job application, interview, and commencement process. Plus, you can add your career coach as a Supporter to your myWAY team so they can view your profile and career strengths to better support you!