Can I work with a disability, injury, or health condition?

If you’re living with a disability, injury, or health condition and are wondering if you can work, the answer is a big yes.

Your career goals are important, and there is plenty of support out there to help you reach them.

From workplace modifications to specialised training opportunities, there are a range of support options available to eager job seekers who are living with a disability, injury or health condition.

This article will go through the supports available to you, and explain in detail how Disability Employment Services with APM can help you find the right job for you.

What support is available?

Depending on your circumstances and eligibility, there are a range of support services available that can help you prepare for work, find work, and support you while you’re at work.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The NDIS provides funding for support and services, including those related to employment, for eligible people with a disability.

The NDIS will help to connect individuals with service providers in their surrounding area including doctors, support groups, sports groups, schooling, libraries, and more.

The NDIS provides support to people living with both physical and psychological impairments, now supporting over 500,000 Australians access to support and services that they need.

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs)

ADEs offer supported employment opportunities to people living with a disability, injury or health condition. Individuals can get the opportunity to gain work experience, participate in the local community, and learn new skills when they participate in ADEs.

There are many organisations that have a range of supported work opportunities for those living with a disability, injury or health condition.

The Disability Support Pension (DSP)

If you’re living with a disability, injury, or health condition, you may be eligible to work and receive the DSP at the same time.

While the Disability Support Pension is usually funding that individuals receive when they are unable to work, you can work up to 29 paid hours per week while receiving the DSP. To do this without losing the pension, you will need to meet the income test. You can read more about the eligibility requirements of the Disability Support Pension here.

Disability Employment Services (DES)

Disability Employment Services can help people who are living with a disability, injury or health condition through various employment barriers and become successful in the workforce.

There are many DES providers, like APM Employment Services, that offer a range of support services like getting job-ready, going through the application and interview process, and becoming successful in the role.

How Disability Employment Services can help you find work

Disability Employment Services can help eligible job seekers across a variety of different areas including:

• Job matching: Making sure that you are placed in a role that suits your skills, interests, and needs.
• Training: Providing access to training and upskilling opportunities to improve your skillset.
• Interview prep: assisting with writing resumes, cover letters and job applications. DES providers may offer coaching to help you perform well when you secure an interview.
• Employment assistance: Provide support and advice once you’ve secured a job to ensure you maintain long-term employment.

At APM, we’re dedicated to helping you work toward the right job for you, and our process reflects that.

1. Creating your employment plan

When you join APM, you receive personalised, one-on-one support from one of our local employment consultants who knows the opportunities and employers near you.

During your first meeting with us, we’ll discuss your employment goals, abilities, and any support you might need. This conversation will help us to create an individualised employment plan for you.

Your consultant will also answer any questions you have at this stage, anywhere from questions about the Disability Employment Services program, to available government and community services in your area.

After our first meeting, your consultant will set up a time to contact you again to keep in touch in the early stages. You can expect weekly check-ins for the first four weeks.

Your individual employment plan will outline the steps that you and your employment consultant will take to reach your employment goals. This plan will include things like:

• Upskilling to prepare for the workplace
• Writing and editing your resume and cover letter
• Looking for good job opportunities
• Practising interview questions
• Accessing workplace accommodations and special equipment
• Accessing mental health services or other support services
• Gaining funding for transport or uniform costs
• Participating in volunteer work experience or trials

2. Finding work and getting job ready

Whether you’ve just begun the job hunt, or you’ve been looking for a while, Disability Employment Services can support you in all aspects of your job search.

Your APM consultant will help you with everything from writing your resume to practising interview questions to helping you get to interview opportunities. Disability Employment Services is dedicated to helping you find the right job fit for you.

If you require any training, we will provide you with upskilling opportunities tailored to your specific needs and goals.

3. Keeping your job with ongoing support

Once you have secured a role that you are happy with, APM will continue to support you to ensure that you remain happy and successful in your new role. 

This can be anywhere from general advice to workplace modifications to make it easier for you to do well in your new role.

Start your job search with APM

APM is a national provider of Disability Employment Services, and helps thousands of job seekers find and keep meaningful work every year.

Getting started with APM begins with a simple step: reaching out. You can do this by calling us on 1800 276 276 or filling out the registration form.

Alternatively, you can get a referral to APM from Centrelink. If you’ve visited Centrelink and they’ve deemed you eligible for Disability Employment Services, you can ask to be referred to your local APM.

After we’ve received your registration, or you’ve been referred, we’ll call you within a few days to ask a few initial questions and discuss your eligibility.

If you’re eligible, we’ll discuss the next steps and set up an initial meeting with you to discuss your goals and options in more detail.

If you’re not eligible, we’ll make sure to help connect you to other services or supports that are a better fit for you. If you’re ready to start your job hunt, we’re ready to help you.

To start your employment journey, get in touch with our team or register online.

About this article

APM supports people with disability, injury, or a health condition through various programs and services across its businesses, including Disability Employment Services in Australia.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

When discussing disability, APM’s copy style is to use person-first language and the social model of disability in the first instance. Some articles may use identity-first language or refer to the medical model of disability for clarity or to better suit a specific audience.

If you have any questions or feedback about the content of this article, visit our Feedback page to get in touch or email support@apm.net.au