Disability Employment in Australia: Services and Support
Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2 Nov 2026
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - About This Section - FAQs - Publications - Subtopics
Synopsis
How Inclusive Employment Australia, Workforce Australia, the NDIS and supported employment help Australians with disability prepare for, find and keep a job.
At a Glance
- 1 - Workforce Australia replaced jobactive and Job Services Australia in July 2022.
- 2 - The Employment Assistance Fund can pay for workplace changes, equipment and a free workplace assessment.
- 3 - The Disability Royal Commission recommended lifting the wages of employees with disability to the full minimum wage by 2034.
- 4 - In 2022, 60.5 percent of working-age Australians with disability were in the labor force, compared with 84.9 percent of those without disability.
Topic Definition
- Inclusive Employment Australia
Inclusive Employment Australia is the Australian Government's specialist employment service for people with disability, injury or a health condition, which replaced Disability Employment Services on November 1, 2025. Delivered by a national network of for-profit and not-for-profit providers, it helps people prepare for work, find a job in open employment and keep it, and it supports employers to recruit and retain staff with disability. Most participants are referred by Centrelink after an Employment Services Assessment, which identifies the level and type of help a person needs, and the service works alongside Workforce Australia, the NDIS, supported employment and the Employment Assistance Fund.
Overview
About 5.5 million Australians, or 21.4 percent of the population, had disability in 2022, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Work brings income, independence and social connection, yet people with disability remain less likely to have a job than other Australians, even as many industries face skills shortages. Is business overlooking a home-grown resource? What are the barriers, and how can they be overcome?
The Australian Government and the states and territories fund a range of programs that help people with disability prepare for, find and keep work, and that help employers hire and support them. Since November 1, 2025, the main specialist service has been Inclusive Employment Australia, which replaced Disability Employment Services. Other supports include Workforce Australia, the Remote Australia Employment Service, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), supported employment and the Employment Assistance Fund.
Disability and Work in Australia: The Numbers
The ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers found that 60.5 percent of working-age Australians with disability (aged 15 to 64) were in the labor force in 2022, up from 53.4 percent in 2018. The rate for people without disability was 84.9 percent [Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024].
Participation falls as disability becomes more severe: 64.6 percent of people with a mild or moderate limitation were in the labor force, compared with 37.2 percent of those with a profound or severe limitation [Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2024]. The gap in unemployment between people with and without disability narrowed from 4.7 percentage points in 2018 to 3.9 points in 2022 [Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, n.d.].
Earlier research also found that employment and income vary with the type of disability, with people with psychiatric disability among the least likely to be employed, and that women with disability are less likely than men with disability to be in the workforce.
Inclusive Employment Australia
On March 1, 2010, the Australian Government introduced Disability Employment Services (DES), which replaced the Disability Employment Network and Vocational Rehabilitation Services. On November 1, 2025, DES was replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia, delivered by 83 providers across the country [Department of Social Services, 2025].
Inclusive Employment Australia providers are a mix of large, medium and small, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. They help people with disability, injury or a health condition get ready for work, find a job and keep it, and they work with employers on practices that help new staff succeed. Following the government's response to the Disability Royal Commission, eligibility has been extended to people assessed as able to work fewer than 8 hours a week who want a job in open employment [Department of Social Services, 2025].
A person does not always need to receive a Centrelink payment to use these services, but most people need an Employment Services Assessment, which replaced the older Job Capacity Assessment. The assessment confirms that the person has a disability, illness or injury, identifies the level of support needed, and outlines the help required to find or keep a job. Centrelink, part of Services Australia, can arrange an assessment, explain the options and refer you to a provider in your area.
Supported Employment and Australian Disability Enterprises
Supported employment gives people with moderate to severe disability paid work with extra help on the job. It has traditionally been provided by Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), businesses in industries such as design, printing, packaging, manufacturing, laundry and landscaping. The Department of Social Services has estimated that there are around 20,000 supported employees across Australia [Department of Social Services, n.d.].
Supported employment is now funded mainly through NDIS participants' plans, and participants can use that funding with mainstream employers, social enterprises, micro-businesses or supported employment services. The NDIS does not pay supported employees' wages [Department of Social Services, n.d.]. For information about supported employment for yourself or a person in your care, call Centrelink on 13 2717 or contact the NDIS.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability released its final report on September 29, 2023. It recommended lifting the wages of employees with disability to 100 percent of the minimum wage by 2034, while commissioners were divided on whether segregated employment should also end by 2034 [Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, 2023].
Workforce Australia and Remote Employment Services
Workforce Australia replaced jobactive, and the earlier Job Services Australia, in July 2022. It helps eligible people find and keep a job, either online or through a provider who reviews their skills, the type of work they want and any training that could improve their chances.
In remote Australia, the Remote Jobs and Communities Program ran from 2013 to 2015 across 60 remote regions, with a focus on building local skills for local jobs. It was replaced by the Community Development Program in 2015, which in turn was replaced by the Remote Australia Employment Service on November 1, 2025.
Help for Employers and Workplace Changes
The Employment Assistance Fund, available through JobAccess, reimburses employers and people with disability for workplace modifications, equipment and services, such as assistive technology, disability awareness training and specialist support, and it can pay for a free workplace assessment. JobAccess advisers can be reached on 1800 464 800 [JobAccess, n.d.].
Employ My Ability, the national Disability Employment Strategy released in December 2021, sits under Australia's Disability Strategy 2021-2031. It sets out a ten-year plan to raise employer demand, build the skills and confidence of young people with disability, improve employment services and change community attitudes [Department of Social Services, 2021].
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to tell my employer about my disability?
In most cases you do not have to disclose a disability unless it affects your ability to do the job safely. Many people choose to share it so they can ask for workplace adjustments.
What are reasonable adjustments at work?
They are changes to a job or workplace that let a person with disability do the work, such as flexible hours, modified equipment or accessible software. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, employers must make them unless doing so would cause unjustifiable hardship.
Where can I complain about disability discrimination at work?
The Australian Human Rights Commission handles complaints under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and the Fair Work Ombudsman can help with workplace rights such as pay and unfair treatment.
What is the Supported Wage System?
It lets an employer pay a productivity-based wage to a worker whose disability affects their output, after an independent assessment, so the person can work in open employment at a fair rate.
Can I get help to keep a job I already have?
Yes. Providers can give ongoing support after you start work, and people at risk of losing a job because of disability, injury or illness may be able to get help. Services Australia or a provider can confirm whether you qualify.
Can NDIS funding help me start my own business?
NDIS plans can fund supports linked to work goals, which may include building skills for self-employment, but they do not pay business costs. Talk to your planner or support coordinator about your goals.
Is there help for young people with disability leaving school?
Yes. School leavers can use NDIS capacity building supports to prepare for work, and some eligible school leavers with disability can join Inclusive Employment Australia directly.
Are there apprenticeship incentives for people with disability?
Yes. The Australian Government offers extra support for apprentices with disability and their employers, including wage support and tutorial or mentoring help. Check the Australian Apprenticeships website for current rates.
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Disability, ageing and carers, Australia: Summary of findings, 2022.
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (n.d.). Australia's Disability Strategy outcomes framework: Employment and financial security.
- Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Supported employment.
- Department of Social Services. (2021). Employ My Ability: Disability employment strategy.
- Department of Social Services. (2025). Inclusive Employment Australia.
- JobAccess. (n.d.). Employment Assistance Fund.
- Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. (2023). Final report, volume 7: Inclusive education, employment and housing.
Curated and edited by Ian C. Langtree, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Disabled World. This section is maintained by the Disabled World editorial team. Last updated: