Disability Employment Services

How they can help you

Disability Employment Service (DES) providers can help if you’re looking for work or have a job.

If you’re looking for work, a DES provider can help you:

• get ready to work
• train in specific job skills
• write your resume
• train in interview skills
• look for jobs that suit you.

Once you get a job, your DES provider may help you with:

• on-the-job training
• speaking to your boss and co-workers
• ongoing support in your job
• modifying your workplace
• Auslan at work.

If you risk losing your job due to disability, illness or injury, you can get help from Work Assist.

Mutual obligation and participation requirements

These requirements are tasks and activities you agree to do while getting certain payments from us.

If you’re a job seeker and have mutual obligation requirements, you can meet your requirements while participating in DES.

If you get Disability Support Pension (DSP) and you’re under 35 you may have participation requirements to help you find and keep suitable work. You can meet these requirements while taking part in DES.

Program of Support

A Program of Support (POS) helps people with disability to prepare for, find and keep a job.

If you make a claim for DSP, you may need to show you’ve participated in a POS.

DES is one of several suitable POS programs. Read more about Program of Support if you claim DSP.

How to register

You can register for DES through us or direct through a provider.

To register through us, you can either:

• call the Centrelink employment services line
• visit a service centre.

We may suggest you get an Employment Services Assessment.

To register through a provider:

• find a DES provider through the JobAccess website
• contact them and ask to register.

The DES provider may refer you to us for an Employment Services Assessment if you need one.

Read more about Disability Employment Services on the JobAccess website.

New disability employment program

A new program called Inclusive Employment Australia will replace the current DES program. It will focus on helping people with disability, illness or injury to prepare for, find and maintain employment.

It will improve and simplify services for job seekers, employers and providers and place participants at the centre of the service.

More people will be eligible to take part in the new program including:

• those with an assessed work capacity of less than 8 hours per week
• voluntary participants not getting a Centrelink income support payment.

There will also no longer be a two-year limit on the time you can stay in the program.

The new program will offer:

• intensive support for people who are preparing to be ready to work
• flexible support for people who don’t need intensive services.

If you already get support through the current DES program, you’ll:

• get individual communication and information about the new program before it starts
• continue to get the services you get now.

You’ll need to continue to attend all appointments, job interviews and activities that are organised for you. If you don’t, your payment may be affected.

Read more about the new program on the Department of Social Services website.

Where you can get other advice

JobAccess

The JobAccess service can give you or your employer advice. It provides employment support for people with disability, illness or injury.

Read more on the JobAccess website about other disability employment support. You can also call 1800 464 800 to talk with a JobAccess Advisor.