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Meet Jarryd

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Right support helps Jarryd find his first job.

Facing the world of work is daunting for anyone when they finish school and look for their first job.

For Jarryd, and thousands of other young Australians every year, this next step in his life was made even more challenging due to his autism.

The process of deciding what would be a good job to search for, applying for work and how to act in an interview, all come with an increased pressure many of us are lucky enough not to experience.

Jarryd knew straight away he wanted to find a good job to start earning money and he was determined not to let his autism stop him from achieving his goals.

Read a full transcript of this video.

"I feel more confident in myself"

Finding the right support

Eligible for support as a result of his autism, Jarryd registered with APM Employment Services for the Disability Employment Services program and quickly got to work on overcoming his challenges.

“It was a huge challenge to start with,” he said.

“The aspects of autism with the interviews and the process of trying to find jobs was just a bit overwhelming at the start.

“But APM helped me get through the initial shock of getting into the working world after I left school.”

Jarryd in the workplace

"APM helped me get through the initial shock of getting into the working world"

Preparing for interviews and getting the job

Jarryd took part in activities with his dedicated employment consultant to help get used to the questions he would face and need to ask in an interview, as well as gaining support to address his anxiety about finding work.

“Knowing what places to go to and what I needed for those places… it just helps that if I have an issue with something, there’s someone I can talk to,” he said.

“It’s hard for me to read social cues when it comes to people, so in interviews and that… I don’t know if I’m doing something right or wrong.”

Overcoming the anxiety of a job interview proved valuable for Jarryd when he was offered a role with secure document destruction firm Shred-X in Perth.

The weight of responsibility within his role doesn’t phase Jarryd as it might have before he made positive steps forward with APM and his new employer.

“I feel way more confident in myself and being able to do many more things that I wouldn’t have been able to do before I started working,” Jarryd said.

“This job has really helped me get over that confidence barrier and actually helped me have a happy life.”

Register now

Are you eligible for Disability Employment Services?

Jarryd shaking hands

You may be eligible for our Disability Employment Services program if you:

  • Have a diagnosed injury, illness or disability
  • Are aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Are at or above the minimum legal working age in your state or territory
  • Are able to work at least eight hours per week (with support when required)
  • Are an Australian resident
  • Are not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Are not working at or above your assessed employment capacity

You can access APM Disability Employment Services through a referral by Centrelink or by registering with us directly.

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.

Speak to us about opening your door to employment

Register now