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Meet Darren

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Register for APM Disability Employment Services

Enter your details below and we'll contact you about taking the next steps in your employment journey.

Having a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning and move forward everyday is one of the many benefits that comes with a good job.

For Darren the sense of purpose that his employment brings has brought a life-changing and positive impact on his wellbeing.

A long spell without a job combined with managing anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), had made securing employment a major challenge for Darren.

It was following a confidence-boosting stint of volunteer work that Darren approached APM Employment Services for support in finding a meaningful job and a return to employment.

Read a full transcript of this video. 

“Doing something and having a purpose gives me enjoyment” – Darren

Finding the right role

Meeting employment consultant Samantha, Darren shared his goals and the type of work he felt he was capable of.

“When Darren first came to our office, he was quite shy but very eager to look for work in administration and data entry style roles,” Samantha says.

Seeing the potential for Darren to grow his confidence and skills, Samantha worked with him to complete training courses to boost his employability with local employers.

As his confidence and capability grew, Samantha suggested looking at roles outside of Darren’s suggestions.

Rather than limiting to specific job types, Samantha suggested Darren considered roles with more social interaction in the community.

And it worked.

“I threw him a bit of a curveball and said what about McDonald's in Somerville - and we haven't looked back” Samantha said.

Samantha helped Darren create a professional resume, complete an online job application and practice for job interviews.

Darren nailed the interview and was offered a role.

Darren smiling

“My nerves aren't as bad as they used to be” - Darren

Continual growth

Like many of us when we start a new job, Darren was nervous beginning a role he had not done before.

His new employer Sarah was there to help him settle in and come out of his shell.

“When Darren first started, we spent a bit more time with him just to make sure he got the role correctly and knew what he was doing - but now he does it all on his own,” Sarah says.

“He's confident, has grown and he always gets in on the conversations with everybody,” she adds.

As part of APM’s post-placement support Samantha checks in with Darren and Sarah regularly to make sure they’re doing well and have everything they need.

“My nerves aren't as bad as they used to be,” Darren says.

He says the journey with Samantha and finding a job he didn’t think he would be able to do has helped him reconnect with his wider community.

“They've been good, helpful, they're kind, they support you, they've helped me out a lot,” he says.

“It makes me happy, doing something and having a purpose gives me enjoyment.”

APM Employment Services help thousands of people with mental health conditions, injury, illness or disability, to achieve their job goals every year through the Disability Employment Services program.

This can include supporting people with services to prepare them for the world of work, or helping them find a suitable job in their local community.

Register now
Darren discussing with people at the workplace

“He's confident, has grown and he always gets in on the conversations with everybody” - Sarah

Are you eligible for Disability Employment Services?

You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:

  • An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
  • Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
  • Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity

If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.

If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you are eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider.

Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

If you’re with another Disability Employment Services provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

Register now

Frequently asked questions

APM is the largest provider of Disability Employment Services in Australia.


With more than 500 locations across the country we help more people into work than anyone else.


We know how hard it is to find work when you’re facing other challenges. We don’t just want you to find a job, we want to help you change your life for the better.


When you come to APM we get to know you so we can help you get the support that’s right for you.


We help you set realistic goals and keep you focused on finding a job that works for you.


There’s a job out there for you.


Let’s go find it.

Disability Employment Services (DES) is an initiative by the Australian Government to help people with an injury, illness or disability find and keep a job.


This can include helping people to:

  • manage health issues that may be making it hard to get work
  • identifying their strengths and work capabilities
  • developing skills for jobs and being part of a workplace
  • succeed when they start a new job with further information and support

APM is Australia’s largest contracted provider of Disability Employment Services and we deliver support programs to eligible people across the country.

You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.


When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.


To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:

  • An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
  • Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
  • Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity

If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.



If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

When you register with APM for Disability Employment Services, we will contact you to confirm your eligibility and invite you for your first appointment.


You will get a local employment consultant who knows the employers, businesses and job opportunities near you.


They will listen to you and build a plan that takes into account your health, personal circumstances, interests and any skills or experience you may have.


Your plan will be unique to you and include steps to help with:

  • building your confidence
  • writing your resume and job applications
  • searching for suitable jobs with potential employers
  • preparing for interviews
  • access to services to manage health issues or barriers to work

With APM, you get the support, you get the skills and you get the rewards of having a valuable job.

Don’t miss out on a program made just for you, by one of Australia’s best-rated providers.


APM has some of the highest job placement rates in the country.


You can transfer to your nearest APM team in three easy steps:

  1. Call the National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260
  2. Ask to transfer to APM
  3. Accept our invite to your first meeting

Join the thousands of APM job seekers who change their lives every year by finding valuable employment.

APM is Australia's largest provider of Disability Employment Services and we have more than 500 locations nationwide.


You can find your nearest APM team on our Find Us page.

There are jobs out there.

We can help you find them.

Register now