Disability Employment Services Program providers play a specialist role in helping people with disability, injury or health condition get ready to look for a job, find a job and keep a job.
Free help and support
Disability Employment Services Program providers offer a range of supports to meet your individual needs, including:
- help to prepare for work including training in specific job skills
- job search support such as resume development, interview skills training and help to look for suitable jobs
- support when initially placed into a job, including on the job training and co-worker and employer supports
- ongoing support in a job if required
- purchase of vocational training and other employment related assistance
- access to help with workplace modifications, support services and Auslan interpreting in the workplace
- assistance if you are at risk of losing your job because of your disability, injury or health condition
Access to financial help and wages
Disability Employment Services Program Providers can also help an employer to access a range of other services such as:
How to access Disability Employment Services
If you are looking for work you should contact Centrelink Employment Services on
13 28 50 or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Centrelink will be able to register you as looking for work even if you have not yet completed the registration process.
You may also choose to contact a local Disability Employment Services Program Provider directly for assistance. Disability Employment Services Program Providers will be able to determine whether you are eligible for their assistance and in some cases this may mean attending a Job Capacity Assessment. If that service is not the best service for you, the Disability Employment Services Program Provider or the Job Capacity Assessment provider will organise a referral to a more appropriate service.
If you are already working and want assistance to retain your job, you can approach a Disability Employment Services provider directly for assistance.
Service standards and complaints
All Disability Employment Services Program Providers are required to provide a high level of service to participants. See the following links for more information about what service standards you should receive and information about what to do if you have a complaint:
Will I have to pay?
For most people who are referred to Disability Employment Services the service will be free. However if you are entitled to compensation or damages from someone for the disability, injury or health condition for which you are undertaking, or have undertaken the Disability Management Service program, you may be liable under section 23(2) of the Disability Services Act 1986 to repay the Commonwealth for the costs of your rehabilitation program. Please read the following fact sheets for more information (links will open in a new window):
Disability Employment Services Program Providers must ensure that each Section 23 participant completes and signs a Section 23 Contact Authority Form during their initial interview. The Contact Authority Form as well as instructions for completing the form are available from Disability Employment Services Program Providers.
Participants may apply for a refund or release from liability where it may be unreasonable or unfair for DEEWR to recover costs, such as in situations of financial hardship. Further information on the factors that will be considered when determining special circumstances can be found in the Participant Information Sheet. To apply for special circumstances please contact the Disability Management Service Recovery Hotline on free call 1800 001 894.
Need help?
The JobAccess Advisers can provide expert advice on the Disability Employment Services. Contact the JobAccess Advisers on 1800 464 800 or by using the online enquiry form: