Inclusive Employment Australia

Inclusive Employment Australia is the new name for Disability Employment Services (DES)

If you’re a participant on the program, your local APM team will soon be in touch to talk about your support and the next steps to achieving your employment goals.

If you want to get started sooner, drop by your local APM site, and speak to your local team.

You can also call us if you have any questions about Inclusive Employment Australia, or your support, on 1800 276 276 or email support@apm.net.au

Discover more about the new program and how it will help even more people with disability, injury, or health conditions, to achieve their employment goals at apm.net.au/iea

What will the new Inclusive Employment Australia program mean for you?

Inclusive Employment Australia aims to offer better support that fits your needs.

Providers such as APM will work closely with you to understand your circumstances and help you reach your goals.

You can choose a provider who has the right skills to help you.

Customised support

Everyone's path to employment is different.

Inclusive Employment Australia provides support based on where you are in your employment journey.

This includes help with resumes, job applications, connecting with employers, work experience, and work trials.

If you get a job, you will still get support to help you settle in and keep your job.

Supporting more people with disability

The new program will be open to anyone with a work capacity of up to 30 hours per week due to a disability, injury, or health condition. 

• All previous Disability Employment Services (DES) participants will continue to get services.
• People with a work capacity of less than eight hours per week will be able to volunteer.
• You do not need to receive an income support payment to be eligible.
• There will be no two-year service limit. You can stay in the program as long as you need support.

More Information

If you have any questions about the changes, you can:

• Speak to your APM employment consultant or call our support team on 1800 276 276.
• Call the government's DES Transition Line on 1800 227 337.
• Visit the Department of Social Services and JobAccess websites.

If you are deaf or find it hard to hear or speak on the phone, you can connect with JobAccess through the National Relay Service (NRS) via Access Hub.

Easy Read

Access an Easy Read version of Inclusive Employment Australia information for participants.  

Support for employers

Both existing and new employers will be able to access inclusive employment guidance from APM on recruitment, workplace practices, and tips on supporting their employees.

Employers can get help to:  

• identify their business needs
• find suitable candidates
• access training
• make workplace adjustments, job customisation and tailoring
• provide safe and productive workplaces
• retain employees with disability

Employers may also be eligible for the new wage subsidy. 

If you have any questions about the changes or support for your employee, speak to your local APM team, or call us on 1800 276 276.

You can also download the Employer Factsheet for the latest information about the new program.