Employment and volunteering options

Key Points

• Employment or volunteering can help build independence and relationships
• There are a number of ways someone with disability can find employment or volunteering options
• The NDIS may be able to provide funding depending on what employment or volunteering pathway you take

Building capacity

Building capacity and economic participation by employing people with disability also reduces the need for full-time support and day programs, giving family members and carers more time to participate in the community or work in their own jobs.

If you live with disability and want to work, there are a few avenues you can take.

Disability Employment Services

If you have a permanent disability you may want to access Disability Employment Services (DES). DES is not funded under the NDIS but by the Department of Social Services.

DES can help you find and maintain work in a mainstream environment, known as open employment.

There are two separate sub-programs within DES. These are:

1. Employment Support Services for job seekers with permanent disability and an assessed need for regular, ongoing support in the workplace.

2. Disability Management Services are available to job seekers with disability, injury or health conditions who are not expected to need long-term support in the workplace but may need irregular flexible support to keep a job.

Services provided through DES include allied health services to help improve work capacity, assistance with job searching, resume preparation and support for education and training.

To find out more call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or visit their website.

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs)

Another option if you are looking for employment is Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs). ADEs employ people with disability in a supported working environment. ADEs typically support people with disability who may struggle to find or keep a job in a mainstream environment.

Supported employment at an ADE is funded by the NDIS under the support category ‘Finding and keeping a job’.

Under the NDIS, ADEs can help you to gain training and experience to either transition into open employment or continue in supported employment if you’d prefer.

Over 170 ADEs currently employ more than 20,000 Australians with varying degrees of disability who are not currently able to work without support. Supported employment places are no longer capped under the NDIS, meaning ADEs can offer more opportunities to more people.

ADEs offer a wide range of roles within a number of industries including:

• packaging;
• manufacturing;
• administration;
• cleaning;
• horticulture;
• logistics and warehouse roles;
• printing; and
• hospitality.

ADEs also adjust daily tasks, jobs and workplace settings to suit individual abilities, interests and skills. Many also offer on-the-job training and skills development in areas such as:

• work health and safety;
• behaviour management;
• public transport;
• literacy and numeracy; and
• money management.

Visit the BuyAbility website or call 1300 043 517 to find supported employment opportunities near you.

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

If you’re in your final year of school and would like a job when you leave, you could access NDIS funding for School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) to help you build skills and get a job. SLES offers individualised support for up to two years after finishing Year 12 to help build skills and confidence to transition from school to work.

SLES is not a program, but rather an individualised approach to funding employment supports such as:

• work experience in open or supported employment;
• travel training;
• job-readiness training such as resume writing and job searching;
• money handling; and
• how to communicate with others in the workplace.

SLES funding can be added to your NDIS plan during your initial planning conversation, or a scheduled or requested review with your planner or local area coordinator.

Any NDIS-registered provider can deliver SLES supports. Your chosen SLES provider will work with you to identify supports which will help you achieve your individual employment goals.

Volunteering

Volunteering is another great way to meet new people, learn new skills and become involved with your community in a fun and supportive way. Volunteering is freely giving your time to help another person, organisation, group or cause, and can also help build your confidence before transitioning into employment.

Volunteering has been linked to increased health and wellbeing and improved self-esteem, while also reducing stress, loneliness and depression.

There are many places you could volunteer, including:

• animal welfare organisations like the RSPCA;
• local thrift shops;
• environmental conservation organisations;
• Meals on Wheels; and
• Australian Red Cross.

To find volunteering opportunities in your community, head to the Volunteering Australia website.

If you would like to volunteer in your community but feel you need some assistance like a support worker, you can apply for NDIS Core funding under Assistance with social and community participation.

What advice do you have for someone looking for work or volunteer roles? Tell us in the comment section below.

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