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 
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.
IncludeAbility
IncludeAbility 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 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.
Workforce Australia
Workforce Australia is an Australian Government initiative that connects job seekers with employers and is delivered by a network of providers. Employers can use a local Workforce Australia provider for tailored recruitment services at no cost to their business, and job seekers can receive support from a Workforce Australia provider to secure employment.
Self-employment training and support
The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) 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 sits under Services Australia and delivers social security payments and services.
Disability Employment Australia
Disability Employment Australia is the peak industry body for Australia's Disability Employment Services (DES).
Australian Disability Network
Australian Disability Network (ADN) 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 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) 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) 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 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
University Specialist Employment Partnership (USEP) & TAFE Specialist Employment Partnership (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 TAFE Colleges and a local Disability Employment Service (DES) that delivers free on-campus employment services.
Eligibility:
- all domestic students identified as having a disability and/or
- students who access support from their tertiary provider due to the impact of their disability or medical condition
- students who have recently graduated (within the last 12 months) or who are in the last year of studies.
How do they work?
A consultant will work with students at university or TAFE to design a career plan aligning with their studies and interests. They will meet students on campus, through technology, or off campus depending on what works best for the student. The consultant will tailor services and support to look at employment, apprenticeship, and graduate opportunities while at studying and after completion until work has been secured.
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?
You can access an experienced disability employment consultant while you are still studying. Services are specifically aimed at meeting 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 consultant will additionally seek specific graduate positions, apprenticeships, and internships aligning with your studies while you are still studying. Through USEP/TSEP, you can also access a wide range of services before you finish your studies.
Where do I access USEP?
Talk with Student Services, Disability Advisors or Careers Advisors to see if this service or a similar program is available at your university. Current providers are:
- South Australia students connect with your USEP provider CBS Inc to learn more
- Queensland students connect with your USEP provider Mylestones Employment to learn more
Where do I access TSEP?
Talk with Student Services or Disability Advisors to see if this service or a similar program is available at your TAFE College. Current providers are
Western Australia
Victoria
- GoTAFE
- The Gordon (Geelong City, East Geelong and Werribee)
- TAFE Gippsland (across seven campuses)
- Chisholm TAFE
USEP/TSEP Toolkits
If you are a Disability Practitioner or education provider who would like to deliver these programs, explore our USEP /TSEP Toolkit.
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.