Applying for the Employment Assistance Fund (Service Providers)

This guide provides step by step instructions for Disability Employment Services Program Providers and Job Services Australia Providers on applying for assistance through the Employment Assistance Fund, including use of the JobAccess secure online application forms.

Step 1—Identify the modifications, workplace assistance and support, or Auslan assistance for your participant

Disability Employment Services Program Providers and Job Services Australia Providers can use the Employment Assistance Fund to access financial assistance to purchase a range of work-related services and modifications for their participants. These can include the cost of modifications that may be needed to a workplace, modification of motor vehicles and equipment, Auslan interpreting services and specialised assistance for people with mental health conditions and specific learning disability.

If you have a participant that requires assistance to do their job the first step is to determine the most appropriate assistance. The Employment Assistance Fund Guidelines provide some typical examples, however, other items may be approved based on the participants circumstances.

You can use the Workplace Adjustment Tool to source information and ideas on the type of modifications, workplace assistance and support or Auslan assistance required to assist participants in the workplace. The Workplace Adjustment Tool also contains practical ideas and links to suppliers of products and solutions available in each State or Territory.

• Workplace Adjustment Tool

Step 2—Read the Employment Assistance Fund Guidelines

The Employment Assistance Fund Guidelines contain detailed information on the Employment Assistance Fund including eligibility. Please read the Employment Assistance Fund Guidelines to determine if a participant is eligible to apply.

Step 3—Apply for assistance through the Employment Assistance Fund

To apply for assistance you will need to log on to the secure JobAccess site and complete an online application form. Disability Employment Services Program Providers and Job Services Australia Providers can access the secure JobAccess site using the same log in ID and password used to access all other secure online departmental services.

Below are instructions to help you create an application:

• Creating an Employment Assistance Fund application

If you are ready to create an online application form click on the following link:

• Online application forms

If you require assistance submitting an application please contact a JobAccess Adviser on 1800 464 800 or submit an online enquiry form:

• Online Enquiry Form

Step 4—Workplace Modifications Assessment

Employment Assistance Fund applications lodged by Disability Employment Services Program Providers and Job Services Australia Providers may not necessarily require a Workplace Modifications Assessment (see Employment Assistance Fund Guidelines). Where a Workplace Modifications Assessment is required a JobAccess Adviser will arrange for a Workplace Modifications Assessor conduct a Workplace Modifications Assessment to determine the most appropriate assistance.

The Workplace Modifications Assessor can also provide advice on other issues to do with people with disability in the workplace such as identification and removal of barriers to ensure occupational health and safety and the appropriate layout for a workplace. The JobAccess Adviser will consider the recommendations made by the Workplace Modifications Assessor as part of processing the application for assistance.

Step 5—Outcome of the Employment Assistance Fund application

The JobAccess Adviser will:

• process the online application
• approve or decline the application for the costs of modifications, workplace assistance and support or Auslan assistance applied for
• advise of the outcome of the application.

Where the Employment Assistance Fund application is approved continue to Step 6. If the application is not approved and you wish to discuss the decision further please contact the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800.

Step 6—Purchase of assistance

Once you have received approval for your Employment Assistance Fund application you are able to proceed with the purchase of the modifications, workplace assistance or support service or Auslan assistance.

Step 7—Claim for payment

Once the assistance applied for has been purchased you can claim reimbursement from ESS Smartclient.

Need help?

If you would like assistance or more information on the Employment Assistance Fund, please contact the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800 or by using the Online Enquiry Form:

• Online Enquiry Form