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information for job seekers

Disability Employment Australia (DEA) does not work directly with individual people who are looking for work. Instead, we support providers who deliver employment services through a variety of programs to ensure that they have access to quality, evidence-based information that supports them to deliver effective, person-centred supports.

If you are a person with disability, injury, or a health condition and are looking for work or require support to continue working, there are various programs and services available to assist you.

 

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA)

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is a new specialist disability employment program. It assists people with disability, injury or health condition to prepare for, find and maintain work and grow their career.

It replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) program on 1 November 2025. 

IEA is delivered through a network of providers across Australia.

To find out more about IEA you can:

 

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

If you are an NDIS participant or are eligible to join the NDIS you may be able to access support to assist you to prepare for, find, and continue working. Because every NDIS plan is different, the best way to find out how the NDIS might be able to assist you with employment is to contact your nearest NDIS office, your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or your Support Coordinator directly.

 

Job Access & the Employment Assistance Fund

Job Access provides information and advice to people with disability who are looking for work or currently working. They also provide information and advice to employers and service providers.

Job Access also runs the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). The EAF is a program that can identify and pay for workplace adjustments that a person with disability needs to perform their job.

To find out more about Job Access:

 

Graduate Programs for people with disability

If you have recently completed a degree, you may be eligible for a graduate program. There are a number of different graduate programs available. Some are run by large organisation, state and federal public services, or by community organisations. Some graduate programs are available to all recent graduates, regardless of disability while others are specifically for people with disability.

Because there are so many options, we recommend you speak to the unit within your university that provides assistance to students with disability or, do some internet searches for programs run by specific companies or sectors you may be interested in.

Even if you are applying for a graduate program, you may still be able to register with an IEA provider, receive support through the NDIS or Job Access to assist with your entry into the workforce.

 

Centre for Inclusive Employment

The Centre for Inclusive Employment is a new initiative and the first of it’s kind in Australia. The Centre will work collaboratively with people with disability, employment service providers and programs, employers, researchers and others to bring evidence-informed practice into employment service systems.   

The Centre supports providers and other stakeholders with practical, evidence-based resources that will continue to expand and evolve – helping to build stronger services and open more pathways to meaningful work for people with disability.

The Centre for Inclusive Employment’s Online Hub is still under development and will continue to be updated with additional advice, information, and resources over the coming months.

DEA is a proud member of the consortium that oversees the Centre for Inclusive Employment, along with the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University, Inclusion Australia, and National Disability Services (NDS).

To find out more about the Centre for Inclusive Employment, visit their online hub Homepage | Centre for Inclusive Employment

 

Other Resources

Disability Representative Organisations

If you still aren’t sure where to start, you may wish to contact your Disability Representative Organisation (DRO). Your DRO may be able to assist you with advice that is specific to your disability or the area in which you live. There are also DRO’s that work specifically with culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability, First Nations people with disability, women with disability, and young people with disability.

 

Making a complaint

If you would like to make a complaint about an Inclusive Employment Australia provider the best place to start is often to make your complaint directly to the provider. Most providers will have the details of how you can make a complaint and the process they will follow directly on their website.

If you are not satisfied with the response you can make a complaint through the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service .

 

If you would like to make a complaint about the NDIS, your Local Area Coordinator, or an NDIS service provider the best place to start is to make your complaint directly to the responsible organisation. If you are not satisfied with their response, you can contact the NDIS Quality ans Safeguard Commission.

 

Support if you have experienced discrimination

Disability discrimination occurs when you are treated less favourably or not given the same opportunities as someone because of your disability. An example of discrimination is an employer refusing to hire you because of your disability even though you can safely perform the role.

If you have experienced discrimination, you may wish to make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can do this yourself or, you can work with an advocate who can assist you with the process.

To find out more: