How the Government Is Redefining Disability Employment Through Inclusive Employment Australia

 

Australia is entering a new era of disability employment reform with the introduction of Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) — a government initiative designed to replace the Disability Employment Services (DES) program from 1 November 2025. This new model aims to create a more inclusive, flexible, and person-centred system that better supports people with disability, injury, or long-term health conditions to prepare for, find, and sustain meaningful work.


A Modern Approach to Disability Employment

Under the previous DES framework, many job seekers found the system too rigid, with strict eligibility rules and time limits that didn’t always reflect individual needs. Inclusive Employment Australia changes that by focusing on each person’s goals, strengths, and capacity for work. It’s not just about finding a job — it’s about building a lasting career and supporting employers to create truly inclusive workplaces.

IEA will expand access to more people, including those who:

  • Can work fewer than eight hours per week

  • Are not currently receiving income support

  • Need ongoing assistance to maintain employment

This flexibility allows participants to engage at their own pace while receiving tailored guidance from registered IEA providers.

Empowering Job Seekers Across Australia

Through Inclusive Employment Australia Melbourne, job seekers will have access to providers who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of Victoria’s workforce. The same model applies regionally, with programs like Inclusive Employment Australia Wagga, Inclusive Employment Australia Wollongong, Inclusive Employment Australia Benalla, and Inclusive Employment Australia Deniliquin helping local participants find meaningful employment in their own communities.

Each region will have approved IEA providers who offer:

  • Personalised employment planning and skills training

  • Support for interviews and workplace adjustments

  • Connections with inclusive employers

  • Continued mentoring after job placement

This decentralised approach ensures that no matter where someone lives — in a major city or regional town — they can access consistent, high-quality support.

Supporting Employers to Build Inclusive Workplaces

IEA doesn’t just focus on job seekers; it also invests in helping employers. Through initiatives like wage subsidies (up to $10,000) and workplace adjustment assistance, the government is encouraging more businesses to employ people with disability. Employers working with Inclusive Employment Australia providers will receive practical support to recruit, train, and retain staff in a way that benefits both the individual and the business.

A Step Toward a More Inclusive Workforce

The government’s move toward Inclusive Employment Australia represents a shift from transactional employment services to long-term, relationship-based support. It’s a model built on inclusion, empowerment, and opportunity — giving Australians with disability the tools and confidence to thrive in the workforce.

Whether you’re based in Melbourne, Wagga, Wollongong, Benalla, or Deniliquin, Inclusive Employment Australia will provide a pathway to meaningful, sustainable employment and a stronger, fairer Australian workforce.

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