Policy aims to deliver more disability employment pathways

The federal government’s $14.7 million Structural Adjustment Fund has announced the second of two grant rounds for employment pathways to support jobseekers with disability is now open.

The government is calling for projects that support priority cohorts with disability with high support needs including initiatives that aim to support First Nations people; culturally and Linguistically Diverse people; people in rural and remote areas; and people located in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Social services minister Amanda Rishworth said the grants, available to NDIS providers, would create and expand pathways to open employment for people with disability and help employers meet community expectations.

“Employment rates for people with disability still fall well below the rates of employment for people without disability,” Rishworth said.

While many Australians with disability were keen to work, the minister noted this group continued to experience barriers to sustainable employment opportunities. The employment rate for those with higher support needs was “shockingly low”, she added.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to work, and our government is committed to creating new and diverse employment pathways that support people with disability into work,” Rishworth said, adding extra for jobseekers with higher support needs was critical as reforms to the disability employment services sector were underway.

“It’s vital that we continue to provide extra support for people with higher support needs so they also have the opportunity to find jobs that match not only their skills, but their goals,” she said.

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