A new approach
The Australian Government recognises that an important aspect of social inclusion is having the opportunity to work. The Government believes that all Australians, including those with disability, should have the opportunity to find and keep a job. However, the rate of employment among people with disability, including mental illness, is below that of people without disability. Many people with disability want to work but experience barriers such as poorly coordinated support, inadequate education and training opportunities, outmoded community attitudes and the fear of losing eligibility for crucial benefits. In order to address the barriers to employment faced by people with disability, the Australian Government has developed a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy. The Strategy sets out six areas for action, including: engaging people with disability; improving disability employment services; providing better access to education and training; supporting and encouraging employers; improving public sector employment of people with disability; and pursuing innovative strategies. The Strategy was released on 14 September 2009.
A National Disability Strategy is also being developed. A report entitled Shut Out: The Experience of People with Disabilities and their Families in Australia, prepared by the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council, was released in August 2009 following public consultations with over 2,500 people.
Employment programs
New Disability Employment Services will be introduced from 1 March 2010. The new services will provide flexible, tailored assistance for job seekers with disability. Services will be demand driven, so that for the first time all eligible job seekers with disability will have immediate access to a place in an employment service. This will give job seekers and their families greater certainty and allow providers to work with schools and allied health organisations to place job seekers in work.
The new Disability Employment Services will have two programs to help job seekers with disability, injury or health conditions find work:
- Program A will provide services to job seekers who require the assistance of a specialist disability employment service but are not expected to need long-term support in the workplace
- Program B will be available to job seekers with a permanent disability and an assessed need for more regular, long-term support in the workplace.
Other key features of the new services include:
- a simplified fee structure, which targets resources to those with the most need
- simpler eligibility criteria, with less complex assessment and referral processes
- a reduction in red tape
- access to ongoing support in the workplace, including a flexible ongoing support option to assist job seekers who might have irregular support needs.
Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations
Job Access is an information and advice service funded by the Australian Government. It offers help and workplace solutions for people with disability and their employers.
Job Access Website
Other supportive programs
- Developing a Disability Action Plan provides guidelines for businesses to help improve access and opportunities.
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
More information
- on disability policy and programs
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
- on mental health policy and programs
Department of Health and Ageing