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Working gives us purpose. For people with disability, having a job isn’t just about earning money – it’s about independence, dignity, and the satisfaction of contributing to society. As someone living with bipolar disorder, I understand how vital the right workplace support can be.
The NDIS has transformed how Australians with disability approach employment. Let’s explore how NDIS supported employment works, especially in Victoria, and how it could open doors for you or someone you care about.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Supported employment provides job opportunities with tailored help for people with disabilities
- NDIS can fund employment supports through various categories to help build independence
- Different supports are available including job matching, on-the-job training, and workplace modifications
- Victorian job seekers can access supported employment in mainstream businesses, social enterprises, and specialised services
- The right support can lead to fair wages, career development, and significant improvements in quality of life
What Is NDIS Supported Employment?
Supported employment refers to jobs where people with disability receive extra help at work. It’s designed for those who need ongoing support to get and keep paid employment.
If you’re eligible for the NDIS, employment supports can be funded through your plan. This creates more choice about where and how you work.
“If enabling you to get a job because you have needs with your disability is going to improve your independence, which it will, the majority of supports around that are reasonable and necessary,” explains Shannon Richards, a disability support professional.
These supports go beyond what employers or mainstream employment services typically provide. They’re customised to your specific needs.
The Benefits Go Beyond a Paycheck
Supported employment offers more than financial independence. It provides purpose, dignity, and the opportunity to use your talents.
You’ll get meaningful work matched to your goals and interests. This isn’t about busy work—it’s about actual jobs with fair pay.
The social benefits are enormous, too. Working creates opportunities to make friends and feel part of a community.
Many people report increased confidence and self-esteem. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a job well done and having your contribution recognised.
How NDIS Funds Employment Support
The NDIS typically funds employment supports under Core Supports or Capacity Building categories. Your plan funding creates greater choice about work environments and support providers.
You can use this funding in any workplace you choose:
- Mainstream businesses
- Government organisations
- Social enterprises
- Supported employment services
- Your own micro-business
The funding structure is based on your individual needs. It aims to help build your independence and achieve your specific employment goals.
“If you achieve the goal of obtaining some form of employment in NDIS, they are very pleased to know about it,” says Richards. “The whole idea of NDIS is they are enabling independence.”
Types of Support Available
The support you receive depends on your needs and goals. Here’s what might be included:
Job matching pairs you with roles suited to your strengths and interests. You deserve work that you find meaningful and enjoyable.
Skills development helps build your capacity for work. This could include communication skills, teamwork, or job-specific training.
“One big area that we work in is social capacity,” Richards notes. “Many people on NDIS have social communication challenges that makes interviewing difficult, even when they could do the job well.”
On-the-job support provides coaching and guidance while you’re working. A support person can help you learn tasks and build confidence.
Workplace modifications ensure your environment suits your needs. This might include special equipment or changes to your workstation.
Finding Services in Victoria
Victoria offers many pathways to supported employment. Here’s how to find services that match your needs:
The BuyAbility website lets you search for supported employment services by location or business type. This is a great starting point for Victorians.
You can also check the NDIS provider finder and filter by “Specialised Supported Employment” registration group. This ensures you’re connecting with registered providers.
Inclusion Australia and the Disability Advocacy Network Australia offer advocacy support and information sessions. They can help build your confidence about workplace rights and options.
Don’t miss Disability Employment Expos happening across Australia. These expos showcase various employment pathways.
The Employment Journey
Your path to employment depends partly on your age and experience. Young people leaving school often have different options than those seeking work later in life.
“If you’re coming out of school, there’s a large number of supports that can be put in place,” Richards explains. “Once you go into your 30s and 40s, it gets more difficult because from an NDIS point of view, they’re more reluctant to fund you with some of those activities.”
Many people start by building social skills and community connections. This creates a foundation for workplace success.
Some begin with volunteer work or part-time positions. Even a few hours weekly at a local store or library can be a significant step.
“Even if it’s only three hours a week at a local grocery store, if you can say ‘I have used my OT to enable me to take public transport, I couldn’t do that before, and now I can help at the local library’—it’s a huge tick,” says Richards.
Breaking Down Barriers
People with disability still face misconceptions in the workplace. Addressing these starts with highlighting your capabilities.
“By labeling somebody with disability, often they imply that they’re not capable,” Richards notes. “If you’re applying for a job that you do have the capacity for, then you obviously have to work a lot harder than an able person to prove that.”
Taking extra steps during the application process can help. Make personal contact when possible. Show your motivation and explain how your unique perspective benefits the organisation.
Many larger companies have diversity initiatives. Some even have specific allocations for hiring people with disability.
“Sometimes it actually can be a benefit to you to fly that flag,” Richards suggests. “You can bring a new, fresh way of looking at things that perhaps they don’t have in their company.”
Workplace Accommodations Matter
Reasonable workplace adjustments are essential for many workers with disability. These might include flexible hours, accessible facilities, or modified equipment.
In Victoria, employers must make reasonable adjustments under the Equal Opportunity Act. The Employment Assistance Fund can help cover costs of workplace modifications.
For some, working from home offers valuable flexibility. “If we can get them some kind of online work from home, so they have that flexibility and don’t have to interact with the community because they have a social disability—well, then that’s fantastic,” Richards explains.
The key is finding employment that accommodates your needs while letting you contribute your skills.
Conclusion
NDIS supported employment creates pathways to independence through meaningful work. It provides the supports needed to find and maintain employment that matches your skills and interests.
The benefits extend far beyond income. Working builds confidence, social connections, and a sense of purpose.
With the right supports, people with disability can thrive in diverse work environments across Victoria. The NDIS framework makes this possible by funding the help that opens doors to employment success.
Action Steps
- Review your NDIS plan to see what employment supports you can access. Speak with your support coordinator about including employment goals in your next plan review.
- Research supported employment services in your area using the BuyAbility website or NDIS provider finder.
- Connect with advocacy organizations like Inclusion Australia for information about your rights and options at work.
- Consider attending the upcoming Aged & Disability Expo Melbourne (June 13, 2025) to learn about different pathways.
- Start small if needed—even a few hours of work or volunteering weekly can build skills and confidence while demonstrating capacity to the NDIS.
Frequently Asked Questions
The NDIS may fund personal care assistance at work, transport to and from work, job coaching, communication aids, workplace assessments, and training in work-related skills. They typically fund supports that go beyond what employers or Disability Employment Services would reasonably provide. All supports must meet the “reasonable and necessary” criteria to be included in your plan.
Yes, you can use NDIS employment funding to support self-employment or starting a micro-business. The supports funded would be like those for other employment types—focusing on the help you need because of your disability. Your plan might include business coaching, help with specialised equipment, or personal support while working.
Disability Employment Services (DES) is a mainstream government program that helps people find and keep jobs through job matching, resume preparation, and limited on-the-job support. NDIS supported employment provides more intensive, ongoing supports specifically related to your disability needs at work. Many people use both services complementarily – DES helps find suitable work while NDIS provides the personal supports needed to succeed there.
Disclosure is a personal choice. You’re not legally required to disclose your disability unless it affects workplace health and safety. However, disclosing can help secure reasonable adjustments you need. As Shannon Richards notes, “Sometimes it actually can be a benefit to you to fly that flag,” as many employers value diverse perspectives and may have diversity hiring initiatives.
Working part-time or just a few hours weekly is absolutely valuable. The NDIS recognises that any employment can improve independence and wellbeing. “Even if it’s only three hours a week at a local grocery store or something, it is a huge tick, and it enables us to have evidence to request more support for you in future,” explains Richards. Start where you can and build from there.
Daniel G. Taylor has been writing about the NDIS for three years. His focus has been on mental health and psychosocial disabilities as he lives with bipolar disorder I. He’s been a freelance writer for 30 years and lives across the road from the beach in Adelaide. He’s the author of How to Master Bipolar Disorder for Life and a contributor to Mastering Bipolar Disorder (Allen & Unwin) and he’s a mental health speaker.