Everything you need to know about Inclusive Employment Australia

Australia’s Disability Employment Services (DES) program has changed, and it’s now called Inclusive Employment Australia.

This new name reflects a renewed focus on making employment support simpler, fairer, and more inclusive for people living with disability, injury, or a health condition.

Inclusive Employment Australia connects you with personalised support to help you find and keep meaningful work. It’s delivered by trusted providers like APM Employment Services, who work with you to understand your needs, build your confidence, and remove barriers to employment.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what’s changing, how the program works, and what these updates mean for you as a job seeker.

What is Inclusive Employment Australia?

Inclusive Employment Australia is the Australian Government’s specialised employment program for people living with a disability, injury, or a health condition.

You may have previously known this program as Disability Employment Services (DES). The new name reflects a renewed focus on what’s most important: making inclusion the norm in Australian workplaces, not the exception.

Inclusive Employment Australia replaced the Disability Employment Services program on 1 November 2025.

The goal of Inclusive Employment Australia is to connect eligible people with trusted support providers, like APM Employment Services. These providers work one-on-one with you to help you build skills, find opportunities, and connect with employers who see your potential.

Key updates to the Inclusive Employment Australia program

APM is one of the selected providers delivering this improved program, which includes:

• More flexibility – you can access support even if you currently have a low assessed work capacity (including under 8 hours a week) or may only work a few hours

• No time limits – stay with your provider for as long as you need

• More choice – you can choose your provider or switch if your needs change

• Stronger focus on inclusion – with providers that have a greater diversity of experience and capability within the communities they support

• Support for employers – to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces

The core principles of Inclusive Employment Australia

Inclusive Employment Australia is built on a foundation of respect and understanding, placing you at the centre of the service. The entire program is guided by a few key ideas to give you better, simpler support:

• Personalised support: Your journey is unique. The program is designed to be more responsive to your individual needs, goals, and circumstances.

• Choice and control: You are empowered to take control of your journey. You can choose your provider and have the flexibility to move to a new one at any time.

• Flexible, long-term success: This isn’t about just ticking a box. You get better support to find and keep a job, and there are no time limits. You can get support for as long as you need, even if you only work a few hours a week.

• Focus on opportunity: The program is designed to create more opportunities for people with disability to work. You don't need to get government payments to access this support.  

  
  

How Inclusive Employment Australia supports your job search

If you’re eligible for Inclusive Employment Australia, you can get support from a team that’s here to help you find and keep a job. APM is one of the providers that delivers this support in a way that suits you.

Here’s a look at what you can expect with APM and Inclusive Employment Australia:

Your dedicated employment consultant

From day one, you’ll be partnered with a dedicated employment consultant. This person is your main point of contact. 

They’re there to listen, understand your situation, and become an extension of your support network.

Their job is to get to know you: your skills, your interests, your health needs, and your career goals. 

Your employment consultant will be your guide, your advocate, and your biggest supporter.

Building your personalised plan

You’ll work with your employment consultant to create a personalised job plan that suits you. It’s not a set of strict rules. It’s a flexible guide that helps map out:

• Your employment goals

• Your strengths and skills

• Any barriers you’re facing

• The practical steps we’ll take together to get you ready for work

Your plan is built around you. We’ll review it together regularly and adjust it if your goals or circumstances change, so it always fits your needs.

Gaining skills and confidence

Finding work is more than just having a resume. It’s about feeling confident and prepared. We may help you with:

• Job-ready skills: We may help you write a great resume and cover letter that highlights your strengths.

• Interview practice: We may run mock interviews with you so you feel comfortable and confident telling your story to an employer.

• Access to training: If you need a specific qualification, licence, or certification for a job, we may help you access the right training.

• Building confidence: After facing rejection or being out of work, it’s normal to feel your confidence drop. We help you rebuild it, step by step.

Connecting with the right employers

We know that one of the biggest obstacles can be finding employers who are truly inclusive.

Your employment consultant has strong relationships with local businesses. We work hard to find employers who are looking for your specific skills and are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive workplace.

We can advocate on your behalf (with your permission) and help bridge the gap between you and an employer who values what you have to offer.

Support on the job

Our support doesn’t end when you start work. If you need us we stay by your side to help you settle in and succeed for the long term.

Support on the job may include:

• Regular check-ins (with you and your employer) to see how you’re settling in

• Helping you organise any workplace modifications you might need, such as special equipment or flexible hours

• Providing support to help you manage your health at work

• Being there to listen and support you if you have any questions or face challenges as you settle into your new job

  
  

Who can get support from Inclusive Employment Australia?

Inclusive Employment Australia is designed for people living with disability, injury, or a health condition that makes it harder to find or keep a job.

To be eligible, you generally need to:

• Be living with a diagnosed disability, injury, or a health condition

• Be an Australian resident aged between 14 and 67

• Be at or above the minimum legal working age in your state or territory

• Be able to work between zero to 30 hours per week (with support if needed)

• Not be studying full-time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)

• Not be already working at or above your assessed work capacity

You may also be eligible if you’re an NDIS participant or a school leaver with disability.

You don’t have to be on the Disability Support Pension to get help. Many people in the program are receiving other payments, or no payments at all.

If you’re not sure if you’re eligible, we can help you check.

Find out more about eligibility criteria.

What disabilities, injuries, or health conditions are included?

The word ‘disability’ covers many different experiences. Inclusive Employment Australia is here for people with all kinds of conditions, whether they’re temporary or ongoing, visible or not.

This can include, but isn’t limited to:

• Physical conditions: Such as living with chronic pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or a physical injury.

• Mental health conditions: Such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder.

• Sensory conditions: Such as being Deaf or hard of hearing, or vision impaired.

• Neurological conditions: Such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an acquired brain injury.

• Learning disabilities: Such as dyslexia or dyscalculia.

• Chronic health conditions: Such as autoimmune diseases, Crohn's disease, diabetes, or epilepsy.

If you’re living with a diagnosed condition that makes work harder, Inclusive Employment Australia is here to support you.

What to expect: Your journey with Inclusive Employment Australia

We know that starting a new service can be daunting, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. We want to make the process as simple and clear as possible.

Here’s a step-by-step look at what your journey with us might look like.

Step 1: Getting referred

There are two main ways to get referred to Inclusive Employment Australia:

1. Through Services Australia (Centrelink): If you’re applying for or receiving payments, Services Australia may refer you for an assessment (an ESAt or JCA) to see what support you need. If you're eligible, they will refer you to an Inclusive Employment Australia provider.

2. Get started with a provider: You don’t have to wait. You can contact an Inclusive Employment Australia provider like APM directly. We’ll help you understand how the program works and guide you through the next steps if you’re eligible.

Step 2: Your first appointment

Your first meeting is just a chat. It’s our chance to get to know you, and your chance to get to know us.

We’ll talk about:

• Your past work experience and skills

• Your education and any training you’ve done

• Your health and how it impacts you

• Your goals for the future

• Any worries or concerns you have

We’ll explain how the program works and answer all your questions. Together, we’ll start drafting your personalised Job Plan. You’ll leave knowing exactly what the next steps are.

Step 3: Personalised job search support

This is the active part of your journey. You’ll meet with your employment consultant regularly.

During this time, we may be:

• Finalising your resume and cover letter

• Practising your interview skills

• Looking for suitable job opportunities together

• Connecting you with our network of local employers

• Helping you access any training or support you need to become job-ready

Step 4: Starting your new job

Once you accept a job offer, we’re right there with you to make sure your first days and weeks are a success.

We may help with practical things like:

• Organising work-appropriate clothing or uniforms

• Helping with the cost of transport to get you to your new job

• Arranging any tools or equipment you might need

• Talking to your new employer (with your permission) about any workplace adjustments

Step 5: Ongoing support (Post-Placement)

Our support continues long after you start work. Your employment consultant will check in with you regularly to make sure everything is going well.

This support is here to help you stay in work and thrive. If anything comes up, we’re only a call away. We’re ready to support you and your employer to work through it together. 

What if I was already a DES participant? 

If you’re currently part of Disability Employment Services (DES), there’s no need to worry. Your support will continue under the new Inclusive Employment Australia program.

How this change affects you

In October 2025, you should have received a letter explaining what the change means for you. This letter lets you know whether you’ll stay with your current provider or move to a new one. Every person’s situation is different, so your arrangements may vary.

If you haven’t received a letter or you’re unsure what to do, speak to your current DES provider or someone you trust for help.

Your work and payments

Your work arrangements and payments will stay the same. There’s no interruption to your support or income during the change.

What you need to do

You don’t need to do anything right now. Keep completing your regular activities with your current DES provider. Your new Inclusive Employment Australia provider will contact you after 1 November 2025 to begin supporting you under the new program.

Mutual obligations

If you have mutual obligation requirements, these will be paused until early 2026. You’ll continue to receive your payments during this time and won’t receive any demerits for not meeting your obligations.

You can visit the Workforce Australia website for more details about this pause.

Mobility allowance

If you receive Mobility Allowance, your Inclusive Employment Australia provider will help you update your Job Plan so your payments continue.

For more information, visit the Services Australia website.

If your future work capacity is under 8 hours

More people will now be able to take part in the new program. You won’t need to be able to work at least eight hours a week to join.

If you’re assessed with a work capacity of zero to seven hours, you may now be eligible to join Inclusive Employment Australia.

For more details about the change and what it means for you, visit the Inclusive Employment Australia information page.

Why choose APM for your Inclusive Employment Australia support?

As a trusted government provider, APM Employment Services is one of Australia’s largest and most experienced providers of Inclusive Employment Australia. We’ve been helping people stay in or find meaningful work for over 30 years.

When you choose APM, you’re choosing a partner who believes in your potential.

We see your potential

Our team is focused on your ability, not your condition. We believe everyone deserves the chance to work and experience the purpose, independence, and stability that a good job provides. We see your strengths, and we help employers see them too.

Decades of experience

We have a deep understanding of the challenges related to finding work with a disability, injury, or a health condition. Our experienced teams know how to navigate the system and have a proven track record of helping people succeed.

Local support, national network

With more than 500 locations across Australia, our support is always local. Our employment consultants live and work in your community. They have real, established relationships with nearby employers and understand your local job market.

A team that truly cares

Our employment consultants are here to support you with respect, understanding, and care. They’ll listen without judgement and work with you to provide practical, positive support, always at a pace that feels right for you.

Real success stories

We’ve seen firsthand how the right support can open doors. Every day, we see people transform from feeling frustrated and overlooked to feeling empowered, confident, and proud.

See success stories from people we’ve supported.

Overcoming common barriers to employment

We understand the specific worries that can make looking for work feel challenging. Here’s how we help you tackle some of the most common barriers:

"I'm worried about losing my payments."

It’s completely normal to feel unsure about how work might affect your payments. Your employment consultant will take the time to explain what it means for you and help you understand your options. 

We can also connect you with free financial information services, so you can make confident, informed decisions. Our goal is to help you improve your financial situation through work in a way that feels safe and manageable.

"I've faced so much rejection, my confidence is gone."

Constant rejection or feeling overlooked by employers takes a heavy toll. A big part of our job is helping you rebuild that confidence. We do this through practical steps: helping you identify your unique strengths, practising interviews until you feel comfortable, and celebrating the small wins along the way.

"Employers don't understand my condition."

It can be frustrating when employers hold unconscious biases or don't understand your support needs. We can bridge that gap. With your permission, we can talk to employers about your condition, explain any adjustments you might need, and highlight the benefits you bring as an employee. We also help them understand the financial support available through Inclusive Employment Australia for making adjustments.

"My health varies from day to day."

We understand that a standard 9-to-5 job doesn’t work for everyone, and that’s okay. We’ll never pressure you into a role that isn’t right for you. Instead, we focus on finding work that fits your needs, whether that means part-time hours, working from home, or flexible start and finish times. Your support is always guided by what works best for you, at your pace.

How to get started with Inclusive Employment Australia

You don’t have to navigate the job search alone. If you’re living with a disability, injury, or a health condition and are ready to take the next step towards work, we’re here to help.

Getting started is simple:

1. Talk to Services Australia: Ask your contact at Centrelink about a referral to an Inclusive Employment Australia provider.

2. Contact APM directly: You can call us or register your interest online. Our friendly team can answer your questions and help you with the next steps.

Taking the first step is often the hardest, but it can lead to a future with more purpose, stability, and independence.

Learn more about how APM can support you through Inclusive Employment Australia. 

About this article

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

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.

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.

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