School leavers with disability

Your goals, your dreams, your strengths

Having a job when you finish school could give you the money and independence you’re looking for.

If you’re in your final year at school with a disability or health condition, and you want to explore your future work options, we’re here to help.

If you're eligible Disability Employment Services (DES), or one of our other support services for school leavers, you may get access to:

One-on-one coaching
Mentoring
Personalised job seeker programs
Support and guidance to keep you motivated
Access work experience and volunteer opportunities
Ongoing support when you start your new job

With locations across Australia, there’s an APM office near you.

Plus we also work with your parents, carers, and any other service providers you rely on, to make sure you get the support that's best for you.

Disability Employment Services for school leavers

To join DES as a school leaver, you must be living with a disability or medical condition and plan to find a job after leaving education.

You also need to be in Year 11 or 12 and attend either:

a disability specialist school
a mainstream school and receive additional disability funding or be in a specialist disability class

When you register with us, one of our employment consultants will meet with you to discuss your eligibility and guide you through the DES program.

DES is currently delivered by APM Employment Services in all states and territories.

Disability Employment Services

Young DES participant Jess and an APM consultant drinking coffee at a table

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

If you’re an NDIS participant, you could be eligible for tailored support build your capacity for employment and prepare for the world of work.

Instead of searching for work as soon as school finishes, SLES can help you discover a career path that is right for you and help you get the support to make a strong start on your employment journey.

Your support may include various exciting stages in building your capacity for work including training, learning valuable life and workplace skills combined with real work experience.

SLES is aimed for NDIS participants aged 15 to 22 and may be ideal for young people who would benefit from personalised support before starting DES.

If you don’t have funding for employment supports in your NDIS plan, we can help guide you through the process with your NDIS planner.

SLES is delivered by the APM Futures team.

It is not currently delivered in Western Australia, Northern Territory, or the Maryborough region of Queensland.

Click below to learn more about SLES with APM or call our team on 1300 276 757.

Young NDIS participant Aiden and the APM Futures team

School Leavers Employment Supports

Apprenticeships

If you’re ready for paid work, on-the-job training, and nationally recognised qualifications, you could be a good fit for an apprenticeship.

APM Apprenticeships provides opportunities to earn while you learn in workplaces across Victoria.

There’s a wide range of qualifications across all industries and you may be eligible for government financial support and other benefits when you apply.

Apprenticeships have a flexible eligibility. You can even start while still in school through a school-based apprenticeship.

And you can study full-time, part-time, or mix both, earning and learning as you go.

Apprenticeships usually take between three to four years to complete. Traineeships may also be available and usually take between one to two years.

APM Apprenticeships are currently only available in Victoria.

Click below to learn more about apprenticeships with APM or call our team on 1800 276 221.

Apprenticeships

Young woman in hard hat and high vis jacket

Choose what defines you after school

We aim to help you find suitable employment and prepare you to start work as soon as possible.

During your job search we'll help you access short courses for job training, work experience and job placements with local employers. And when you find a job, our support doesn't end.

We help you settle in to your new role, learn about your new employer and understand the working environment and team you're joining.

We'll also help develop strategies to adapt to any changes in the job and how to overcome any personal issues that arise.

We'll link your employment with your existing support services, so everyone works together to give you the best chance of success in your new job.

If you’re unsure of what to do when school ends, or how to get started, we can help you make the best first step into employment.