Employment plays a vital role in promoting independence, building confidence, and creating opportunities for connection. For individuals with disability, gaining and keeping employment can come with specific challenges. This is where the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can provide vital support. With a wide range of tailored services, the NDIS helps Participants develop job skills, find meaningful employment, and remain successfully employed. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time or aiming to stay in your current role, the NDIS offers personalised employment supports to meet your individual needs.
NDIS: Additional Support for Your Employment Requirements
The NDIS offers employment-related supports under the Capacity Building category, specifically through the “Finding and Keeping a Job” support item. These supports are available to Participants who have employment goals included in their NDIS Plan. Services may include career counselling, resume development, interview preparation, workplace training, and transition support from school to work.
Additional employment supports can involve workplace assessments, funding for a job coach, or workplace modifications to help you perform your job effectively. The NDIS also works alongside Disability Employment Services (DES) to ensure you receive expert guidance and sustainable employment opportunities.
These employment supports are designed to build your capacity, increase your confidence, and equip you with the tools needed to pursue open employment or supported employment pathways.
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Can the NDIS help me at Work?
Yes, the NDIS can support you in various ways while you are at work. If you have disability-related needs that affect your ability to perform your job or stay employed, the NDIS may fund supports to assist you. These supports might include on-the-job training, communication assistance, help managing sensory needs in the workplace, or personal care during work hours.
The NDIS may also fund assistive technology or workplace modifications that make your job more accessible. This could include items such as an adaptive keyboard, a portable ramp, or visual aids that help you complete tasks more effectively. These supports aim to remove barriers and help you work safely, confidently, and independently.
You might also receive assistance from a support worker, employment mentor, or job coach who works alongside you to navigate daily challenges and strengthen your job-readiness skills over time.
School Leavers Seeking an NDIS Position
For young people with disability who are finishing school, the NDIS offers targeted supports to help with the transition into employment. One of the key programs is School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), which is designed for students in their final years of school. SLES helps young Participants build practical employment skills such as communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving.
In addition to skill-building, SLES can provide access to work experience opportunities, vocational training, and guidance in understanding workplace expectations. These supports are tailored to meet individual needs, giving school leavers the confidence to enter the workforce.
With early intervention and structured support, the NDIS empowers school leavers to explore career pathways, increase their independence, and lay the groundwork for long-term employment success.
More Support to Keep Your Job
Remaining in the workforce can involve different challenges than finding a job, and the NDIS is designed to support you through both. If your situation changes, your NDIS Plan can be updated to ensure you continue receiving the practical support you need to stay employed.
You may receive assistance with managing anxiety, improving communication, resolving conflict in the workplace, or adapting to new duties. Support Coordinators can work alongside you and your employer to identify solutions, create flexible work options, and help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The NDIS can also fund services that build emotional wellbeing and resilience, helping you feel confident and secure in your role. Ongoing support means you are not just getting a job, but building a meaningful and sustainable career.
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Conclusion
With the right supports in place, people with disability can build meaningful and lasting careers. The NDIS empowers Participants to not only find suitable employment but also to thrive and remain in their roles over time. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time or seeking ways to maintain and grow in your current position, the NDIS provides practical, personalised support to help you reach your employment goals.
FAQs
1. How can the NDIS assist me in getting employed?
The NDIS helps Participants move into employment by offering individualised supports such as career planning, job-readiness training, resume development, and assistance with job applications. Your NDIS Plan can also include support from a job coach or employment mentor, along with access to work experience, internships, or placements through partner organisations. These supports are designed to prepare you for the workforce and connect you with real employment opportunities.
2. Can I receive assistance if I’m having trouble retaining employment?
Yes. If you are currently employed but facing challenges at work, the NDIS can provide funding to help you stay in your role. This may include workplace modifications, assistive technology, on-the-job personal support, or emotional and mental health services. Your NDIS Plan can be adjusted to ensure you continue to thrive in your current position.
3. Do I have to be registered with the NDIS to access employment support?
Yes, you need to be a registered NDIS Participant to receive employment-related support through the Scheme. Once you have an NDIS Plan in place, you can work with a Planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to include employment as one of your goals. From there, you will be connected with appropriate providers and services to help you pursue your career objectives.
