What are Disability Employment Services?
On 1 March 2010, Disability Employment Services (DES) replaced the former Disability Employment Network and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.DES comprises two distinct programs:
- Disability Management Service - for job seekers who have a temporary or permanent disability, injury, or health condition, but who are assessed as requiring long-term ongoing support in the workplace on average less than once a fortnight.
- Employment Support Service - for job seekers with permanent disability, who are assessed as requiring long-term ongoing support in the workplace at a minimum on a fortnightly basis.
There are a suite of other services associated with DES, including:
- Job in Jeopardy support - for people in work whose employment is in jeopardy as a result of their disability, injury or health condition.
- The Employment Assistance Fund - provides financial assistance to people with disability and mental health conditions, to purchase a range of work related modifications and services for the workplace or to look for a job.
Responsibility for DES rests with the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Why is this important?
DES assists job seekers with disability, injury or ill health to find and maintain sustainable employment. The services focus on the individual needs of job seekers with an increased emphasis on employment, skills development, education and training.DES providers promote the capacity of people with disability, leading to improved employment opportunities, and encourage innovation and continuous improvement in the provision of employment services.
Who benefits?
DES is demand driven, meaning all eligible job seekers with a disability, injury or health condition will have immediate access to a provider to prepare for, find and keep a job.DES providers have a specialist role assisting people with disability into sustainable employment. Providers assess the impact that a participant’s disability has on their ability to find and retain a job, and work with participants to develop tailored pathways to employment.
DES provides individual assistance to help participants achieve sustainable outcomes, and offers flexible options for those who need ongoing support in the workplace to retain their job.
How does it work?
If you are looking for work you should contact Centrelink Employment Services on 13 28 50 or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre. Centrelink will be able to register you as looking for work even if you have not yet completed the registration process.You may also choose to contact a local Disability Employment Services provider directly for assistance. Disability Employment Services providers will be able to determine whether you are eligible for their assistance and in some cases this may mean attending a Job Capacity Assessment. If that service is not the best service for you, the Disability Employment Services provider or the Job Capacity Assessment provider will organise a referral to a more appropriate service.
Disability Employment Services providers also engage in early intervention partnerships with local schools to assist young people with disability, including those with mental health conditions, with the transition from school to work. So that the transition from school to employment is as easy as possible, school leavers meeting certain eligibility criteria can directly register with a Disability Employment Services provider shortly before or after leaving school, without the need to go through additional mainstream assessment processes.
If you are at risk of losing your job as a result of your injury, disability or health condition, Job in Jeopardy may be available to you through a Disability Employment Services Provider. You can present to any Disability Employment Services provider in your area, and the Disability Employment Services provider can commence helping you immediately. The Disability Employment Services provider will works flexibly with you, and if required, your employer, delivering an individual program of assistance that helps you to retain your employment.
Further information
To locate a Disability Employment Services provider: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/providersearch.aspx.For information and practical resources for people with a disability in employment - JobAccess: www.jobaccess.gov.au.
People who have a disability or mental health condition but do not require specialist employment assistance may be eligible for Job Services Australia. To find out more about Job Services Australia visit: www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/JSA/Pages/default.aspx
For further information on the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations employment services: www.deewr.gov.au/Employment/Pages/default.aspx
For general information on jobs and employment: http://jobsearch.gov.au/provider/default.aspx.
Page currency, Latest update: 17 March, 2011