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Meet Heidi

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Heidi smiling

Register for APM Disability Employment Services

Friendship and purpose adds extra flavour to life for Heidi.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a delicious salad, sandwich or panini at Francesco’s Café – you most likely have Heidi to thank for it.

Heidi lives with a painful health condition, which requires daily medication. Together with frequently needing to use the bathroom, her health condition had become a barrier for her securing ongoing employment.

Until she joined APM Employment Services who support thousands of Australian job seekers with physical and psychological health conditions every year through the Disability Employment Services program.

Read a full transcript of this video. 

"I feel independent and happy"

Getting back into the workforce

After raising her own family, working and even caring for her mother until she passed away, she felt in a rut.

Conscious of having a large gap in her resume “I would sit at home feeling sorry for myself and I wanted to go back to work and be around people rather than sitting at home all alone” Heidi recalls.

After just two weeks working with an employment consultant at APM, Heidi found a workplace which is understanding of her chronic bladder condition. The day after her interview and a brief job trial, she was offered the job in the café kitchen!

“My employers are great and I’m on a lot of medication, so I’m not rushing to the toilet all the time. My supervisor has been very understanding” Heidi said.

The Disability Employment Services program has given her the support she needs, and her work ethic has seen her grow and shine.

Her employer Jodie agrees, “Heidi’s fantastic. I actually didn’t know she had a disability.”

“When Heidi first came to us, she was quite timid, very insecure, nervous but also she looked excited to start working” she said.

On understanding Heidi’s capacity, Jodie said, “You have to be more aware, but we haven’t had any issues or concerns. She’s fitted in really well.”

"I look forward to going to work every day"

Just like a family

Heidi now has independence and is happily working in a team she describes as “just like a family.”

Working at Francesco’s has not only given her a spring in her step, she has also developed connections and friendships which have greatly enhanced her life.

“I look forward to going to work every day because I've become really good friends with my colleague Lil. We chat while we work, and it doesn't feel like work when you're there with your best friend.” she said.

Heidi has brought some super creativity into the café kitchen, designing one of Francesco’s newest staple menu items – the Lunch Pack!

After over a year as part of the café team, Jodie describes Heidi’s transformation:

“Her confidence has grown, her purpose, her drive to come to work. It’s just amazing to see the transformation over time” she said.

If you’re like Heidi and need support to find work, or if your employment has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, register with APM below to find out if you’re eligible for one of our support programs.

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.

Speak to us about opening your door to employment

Register now