Disability Employment Australia is the peak industry body for Australia's Disability Employment Services (DES).
Disability Employment Australia exists to represent the interests of our members at a national level to government and other stakeholders. We have a range of functions designed to support our members to achieve best practice service provision in their role to find employment outcomes for people with disability. We advise, advocate, train, inform, as well as undertake events to promote the sector.
We have a particular focus on:
- government policy relevant to disability employment
- issues impacting on the viability of the industry
- removing barriers to workforce participation for people with disability
- promoting best practice and innovative ways to find people with disability real jobs.
Working from a social inclusion perspective, Disability Employment Australia approaches its work from a society-wide perspective and is committed to identifying opportunities to get a ‘better deal’ for jobseekers and employees with disability and educate the public about issues related to disability employment.
Disability Employment Australia has played an active role over many years in providing advice on increasing workforce participation rates for people with disability and has worked hard to establish itself as the peak organisation in relation to disability and open employment.
Disability Employment Australia has worked closely with government Ministers and departments over the past three years, during which time the Australian Government has undertaken significant consultation and review in the area of disability and employment.
Working groups
Disability Employment Australia has had many opportunities to work with DEEWR on gathering industry views and feeding into the policy and procedure making process, particularly during the lead up to the implementation to the new DES structure and post transition, including through its representation on a number of key government advisory groups;
- DES Reference Group (Convened by the Minister)
- Employment Partnership Committee
- DES Operational working Group
- DES Evaluation Strategy Working Group
- IT Advisory Group (responsible for new ESS IT System covering both JSA and DES)
- DES Transition Reference Group
- DES Technical Advisory Group
- Contract Management and Quality Servicing Working Group
Disability Employment Australia now has a critical role in monitoring the DES program implementation to ensure that the program achieves outcomes consistent with the objects of the Disability Services Act 1986 and the Disability Service Standards.
Find out more about us
Meet Disability Employment Australia's staff, board, download our Annual Reports, or read about our Hall of Fame.
Acknowledgement of country
Disability Employment Australia acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land and community. We pay our respect to them, their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.
National Compact Partner
The National Compact reflects the commitment of the Third (not-for-profit) Sector and the Government to find new and better ways to work together. This collaborative relationship will allow us to work on the challenges we face, build a stronger Third Sector in Australia and through this, drive innovation, wellbeing and sustainability in our communities.