Inclusive Employment Australia is here to help you prepare for, find, and keep a job that’s right for you.

Whether you have a disability, injury, or health condition, this new program is designed to support you every step of the way towards meaningful employment.

Inclusive Employment Australia replaces Disability Employment Services and offers:

  • Intensive support if you’d like help preparing to find a job
  • Flexible support if you’re ready to work and just need a little guidance along the way

Through the Inclusive Employment Australia program, we can help you with: 

Am I eligible for the Inclusive Employment Australia program?  

The program is open to anyone living with disability, injury, or health conditions who has an assessed work capacity of up to 30 hours a week.

People with a future work capacity of less than 8 hours a week are welcome to join on a voluntary basis, and there’s no requirement to be on income support.

Best of all, there are no time limits – you can stay connected with the program for as long as you need our support to reach your goals. 

Register for Inclusive Employment Australia today!

Why choose Jobedge as your provider?

The Jobedge culture drives a sense of innovation, excitement and passion in all programs and services we deliver.

We believe in you

At Jobedge, we believe in you. We respect you for  who you are. We seek to understand your life experiences and skills and we will value those experiences and skills.

We are all about your future, your well-being and your desire to gain a fulfilling, long-term job.

That’s everything we care about and want for you, so we won’t pre-judge you.

Because your future employment is our primary concern, we will concentrate on your strengths, we will value your experience and we will respect you for what you have achieved.

We hear you and support you

When you choose Jobedge we will meet with you face-to-face, take the time to listen to you, talk with you and importantly help coach and support you.

Your Jobedge Mentor will ‘have your back’ every step of the way.

Your Jobedge Mentor is someone who will personally get to know the ‘real you’, a person who cares about you and will help you gain a job with employers who may be looking for people with the skills, experience and interests that you have.

We help you get and keep your job 

We will prepare you, brief you, and help you every step of the way to get and keep your job. We will be there for you to make sure everything is going in the right direction for you – and that direction is a job that works for you and your future.

How is Inclusive Employment Australia different from Disability Employment Services?

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) builds on the strengths of Disability Employment Services (DES), but with some important changes designed to make support more flexible, inclusive, and long-lasting. Key differences:

Eligibility

  • DES: Mostly for people receiving income support with a work capacity of at least 8 hours per week.
  • IEA: Open to anyone with disability, injury, or a health condition who has an assessed work capacity of up to 30 hours a week. People with less than 8 hours’ capacity can join voluntarily, and you don’t need to be on income support to take part.

Length of support

  • DES: Support is usually capped at two years.
  • IEA: No time limit. Participants can stay in the program for as long as they need.

Service approach

  • DES: More compliance-driven and often linked to Centrelink participation requirements.
  • IEA: Person-centred and flexible. Support can be intensive or lighter-touch, depending on what’s right for you, and can change over time.

Focus and outcomes

  • DES: Emphasis on short-term job placements within the service period.
  • IEA: Designed for sustained, long-term employment outcomes, with ongoing support to help people settle into work and thrive.

Register for the Inclusive Employment Australia program today!

Frequently asked questions

  • No. You do not need to be on Centrelink or receive income support to take part. If you are living with disability, injury, or a health condition and want help to find and keep a job, you can join the Inclusive Employment Australia program.
  • No. There is no cut-off date. You can stay connected for as long as you need support, whether that is a few months to get job-ready or ongoing help to stay confident and settled in work.
  • You are still welcome to be a part of the program. If your future work capacity is less than 8 hours per week, you can choose to join voluntarily. You will still have access to the same supports if you want them.
  • No. Inclusive Employment Australia is funded separately by the Australian Government, so you do not need to use your NDIS plan to join. If you already have NDIS supports, we will work alongside them to make sure everything connects smoothly.
  • That depends on you. We will work with you one-on-one to build a plan that fits your goals. That could mean training, job applications and interview practice, workplace experience, connecting with inclusive employers, or ongoing help once you start a job.
  • Yes. Life changes, and so does support. If your needs or goals shift, we will adjust your plan, whether you need more intensive help or just occasional check-ins.
  • You are still welcome to join the new program. Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to be more flexible, more inclusive, and focused on long-term success. It is a fresh start, with no time limits and more ways to tailor support around you.
  • Yes. It is a national program with the same service standards across all service providers. Locally, at Jobedge, the way we deliver will reflect the employers, opportunities, and community supports available in your area.
  • Simply reach out to us. Our team will talk through your situation, confirm your eligibility, and help you get started on your journey towards finding and keeping a job.

Inclusive Employment Australia resources for participants and employers

Inclusive Employment Australia key documents