Step by step process for an employer or an Australian Government employment service provider
We have developed this guide to provide you with step by step instructions on how to apply for the Supported Wage System:
Step 1—Determine the need for a productivity based wage
Currently, most people with disability work at productivity levels equivalent to their co-workers and receive an applicable award wage.
If a person with disability, who due to the effects of their disability is not able to work at the same productivity levels as their co-workers, then consider the Supported Wage System.
Step 2—Review the Supported Wage System eligibility criteria and information on how the Supported Wage System process operates
Obtain a copy of the Overview of the Supported Wage System to see how the System operates:
If you have any difficulties downloading the Overview, or require assistance completing it, contact the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Supported Wage Management Unit on:
Step 3—Submit an application for the Supported Wage System
If after reading the Overview of the Supported Wage System you believe that you have a potential Supported Wage System candidate you can complete and submit a Supported Wage System application form. The form will then be sent to the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) Supported Wage Management Unit where it will be reviewed and either approved or declined based on eligibility checks.
From 2 July 2007 all applications for the Supported Wage System must be lodged electronically through the secure online section of this web site.
If you are an existing Australian Government employment service provider you will be able to log in using your current ID and password issued to you for access to other departmental secure sites.
For all other users, you will be prompted to register in order to receive a log in ID.
The log in ID will allow you to enter the secure online section to track the progress of your Supported Wage System applications. For instructions on how to complete the online registration, creating an application and how to move around in the secure section of the JobAccess web site please visit the following:
Step 4—On approval of the Supported Wage System application by the Department
You will be able to track the progress of your application through the secure online section of the JobAccess web site. Once the Supported Wage System Unit has approved the application the online status will change to 'approved'. The Supported Wage Management Unit will engage an approved assessor from the National Supported Wage System Panel to be responsible for the initial productivity assessment. The Supported Wage System assessor will contact all the relevant parties as outlined on the original application form.
Once an application has been approved, the Supported Wage System candidate can begin a trial period. For more information on this process please review the Overview of the Supported Wage System document.
Step 5—Supported Wage System assessor conducts initial assessment
The Supported Wage System assessor will conduct the initial productivity assessment (after the trial period has been completed), complete the Supported Wage System agreement with the employer and employee and submit the original Supported Wage System agreement and assessment to the relevant Industrial Relations authority if required. The employer and the employee will be provided with a copy of the agreement and assessment.
Step 6—Wage reviews
A review of the wage assessment must be undertaken every 12 months or if a substantial change has occurred in the employee's productivity level, whichever is the lesser. The Supported Wage Management Unit will engage a Supported Wage System assessor who will contact you with a reminder approximately six to eight weeks prior to the review falling due.