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Employment Services and Programs

There are a range of Government funded services to assist and provide advice to people looking for work.

This assistance may include:

  • preparation for work
  • job seeking support – resumes, job applications, interviews
  • vocational training, including work experience or placement
  • locating job opportunities
  • support when placed into a job
  • support to maintain or retain employment
  • workplace modifications
  • co-worker and workplace training
  • Auslan interpreting
  • assessment
  • counselling

Employment services for people with disability and employers

Disability Employment Services

Disability Employment Services This link takes you away from the ADCET page is a network of organisations funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services to provide specialist assistance to job seekers with disabilities, injury or health condition to find and maintain employment or self-employment. You may be able to choose to be assisted by an organisation that has particular expertise in helping people with specific needs. For example, some providers may assist people with a vision impairment, acquired brain injury or a mental health condition.

Disability Employment Services has two parts:

  • Disability Management Service is for job seekers with disability, injury or health condition who need assistance to find a job and occasional support to keep a job
  • Employment Support Service provides assistance to people with permanent disability and who need regular, ongoing support to keep a job.

IncludeAbility

IncludeAbility This link takes you away from the ADCET page is an initiative of the Australian Human Rights Commission and has been developed to increase meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability, and to close the gap in workforce participation between people with disability and people without disability. The website contains resources for employers, people with disability, their families and carers.

Job Access

JobAccess This link takes you away from the ADCET page is an information and advice service funded by the Australian Government. It offers help and workplace solutions for people with disability and their employers. JobAccess is an initiative of the Australian Government to support the employment of people with disability. You can find useful information about reasonable adjustments, disclosure of disability, disability employment case studies, tools and checklists.

jobactive

jobactive This link takes you away from the ADCET page is an Australian Government initiative that connects job seekers with employers and is delivered by a network of jobactive providers in over 1700 locations across Australia. Employers can use a local jobactive provider for tailored recruitment services, at no cost to their business and Job seekers can get help from a jobactive provider to get and keep a job.

Self-employment training and support

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) This link takes you away from the ADCET page provides assistance to eligible job seekers interested in starting and running a small business. NEIS can provide accredited practical small business training, business advice and mentoring for the first year of your business operating, as well as income support for up to 39 weeks.

Centrelink

Centrelink This link takes you away from the ADCET page sits under Services Australia and delivers social security payments and services. 

Disability Employment Australia

Disability Employment Australia This link takes you away from the ADCET page is the peak industry body for Australia's Disability Employment Services (DES).

Australian Disability Network

Australian Disability Network (ADN) This link takes you away from the ADCET page has a range of programs and resources for students and jobseekers including mentorships, internships and a jobseeker toolkit.

Web-based job seeking resources

Additionally, there are a number of websites providing valuable information and resources to assist with job seeking. These include:

Myfuture

MyFuture This link takes you away from the ADCET page is a comprehensive website that includes information and advice on applying for jobs. This includes information on the job market, tips of writing resumes and cover letters, addressing selection criteria and marketing yourself to employers.

Graduate Careers Australia

Graduate Careers Australia (GCA) This link takes you away from the ADCET page is an authority on graduate employment issues in Australia. They foster employment and career opportunities for graduates, in association with the higher education sector, government and business.

GCA produces a range of graduate-related publications and research that informs students, employers and careers practitioners about industry and salary trends, graduate employment opportunities and career development. 

National Careers Institute

The National Careers Institute (NCI) This link takes you away from the ADCET page was established to ensure Australians have access to authoritative and accurate careers information and support, whatever their age or career stage. The foundation of the NCI’s work is the world-leading labour market intelligence provided by the National Skills Commission.

Workforce Australia

Workforce Australia This link takes you away from the ADCET page is an Australia Government site from the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. It provides information and support for job-seeking, study and training, preparing yourself for work and coaching and support.

Graduate programs for students

USEP and TSEP

USEP (University Specialist Employment Partnerships) and TSEP (TAFE Specialist Employment Partnerships) are collaborative programs preparing and connecting tertiary students with disability to employment relevant to their qualifications. USEP/TSEP is a partnership between selected universities or TAFEs and a local Disability Employment Service (DES) that delivers free on-campus employment services.

How do they work?

These services are specifically aimed to meet the needs of graduating or graduated students with disability seeking employment. The difference between USEP/TSEP and signing up with an external DES provider for employment, is that the USEP/TSEP Consultant will seek specific graduate positions and internships aligning with your studies. Through USEP or TSEP, you can also access a wide range of services before you finish your study. These programs complement the existing supports and services to assist students with disability available through your education provider such as Disability Advisors and Careers Advisors. 

What are the benefits?

Students with disability can experience greater challenges in securing employment compared with graduates without a disability. The advantage to signing up with USEP/TSEP and signing up with an external DES provider for employment, is that the USEP/TSEP Consultant will seek specific graduate positions and internships aligning with your studies. Through USEP/TSEP, you can also access a wide range of services before you finish your studies.

 Where do I access USEP or TSEP?

USEP is available to:

  • all students identified as having a disability and/or
  • students who access supports from the university due to the impact of their disability or medical condition
  • students who have recently graduated (within last 12 months) or who are in the last year of their studies.

If you are a Disability Practitioner or education provider who would like to become a USEP/TSEP member explore our Toolkits for providers.


GradWISE

GradWISE is a graduate program, similar to USEP which was developed through Disability Employment Service WISE Employment. GradWISE maintains partnerships with a number of Australian Universities. The program is designed to empower graduates and tertiary students living with a disability, mental, physical health condition or injury aspire, develop and thrive in graduate jobs and entry level employment.

Find a GradWISE graduate disability employment partner This link takes you away from the ADCET page