Having a job can contribute to your financial independence and expand your social connections. There are many ways the NDIS can support you to reach this goal.
How the NDIS can help you depends on where you are on your employment journey.
Let’s look at your options.
Are you already working or volunteering?
Supports in employment are primarily delivered in Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs). ADEs are not-for-profit organisations providing meaningful employment for people with disability who would otherwise not be able to work.
Funding for these supports can be found in your Core budget. (Before 1 July 2020, employment supports funding was under Capacity Building.)
This is called supported employment as it’s designed for people with disability. You would have support staff available to provide assistance whilst you work.
If you want to make a change in your supported employment, speak to your Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator.
If you’re working in open employment (which means you’re in a work environment alongside people who do not have a disability) and want to make a change or assistance to manage the impact of your disability in the workplace, contact JobAccess.
Are you ready to start looking for work or volunteer opportunities?
Disability Employment Services (DES) is the Australian Government’s employment service that helps people with disability find work and keep a job.
Through DES, you can receive help to prepare for, find and keep a job. Help can include
- career advice
- employment preparation
- resume development
- training
- job search
- ongoing support at work (including funding for workplace modifications)
If you need help connecting with a DES provider, contact JobAccess or visit your local CentreLink office.
Note that DES is for finding work in open employment! If you require supported employment, your LAC or SC can help connect you with an ADE.
Are you a Year 12 student or leaving school to work?
School leaver employment supports (SLES) are capacity building supports available to students in their final year and preparing to leave secondary school.
SLES provides individualised supports for up to 2 years after finishing school to help students get work ready. According to the NDIA, it is expected that the majority of SLES participants will transition to DES.
SLES will show up as item 10_021_0102_5_3 if it’s included in your plan.
Are you still unsure about working but would like to learn more?
Finding employment is a big step, so don’t feel bad if you think you’re not ready yet.
Your LAC, NDIA planner or Support Coordinator can help you think about some steps towards working.
You can consider using your NDIS funding to find volunteer work in your local area. Maybe you enjoy working with animals or building things, or you want to learn something completely new. This way, you can learn more about yourself.
Some questions to consider:
- What tasks do you do well and enjoy doing?
- Can you do these tasks on your own or do you need help?
- Do you need a car or public transport to get around?
- Do you look after your own money?
You can find more details in the Let’s Talk About Work booklet on the NDIS website.
Employment supports won’t be the same for everybody, so make sure to talk to your Local Area Coordinator, NDIS Planner or Support Coordinator about your employment goals.
Receive NDIS support with the help of Afea Care Services
Our amazing support workers will provide you with compassionate care at home and in the community to help you live more independently and achieve your goals – including finding employment!
In addition to our compassionate Core support services—
- Afea’s Support Coordinators are committed to helping you achieve your goals, develop your skills and access the best services suited to your needs. Reduce the stress and time spent on implementing NDIS plans with the help of our amazing Support Coordinators!
- Our Plan Management team is your financial champion, ensuring your funding is used to its fullest potential.
Contact us now to begin receiving assistance.
You can also email us via hello@afea.com.au or call 1300 65 11 33.
