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For employers and colleagues

When you need to employ someone, the main priority is to have the right person for the job and that may be someone with disability. People with disability-just like all employees-bring a range of skills and abilities to the workplace, and can strengthen your business through a more diverse, inclusive and stable workforce.

Information is available for employers and managers about:

Benefits of employing people with disability or mental illness

There are many benefits to employing people with disability or mental illness. For an individual, it can help to give a sense of confidence and purpose, as well as a sense of being involved and connected with the community. For an employer, it can help to bring a person with unique skills, abilities and talents into the organisation and it can also have positive effects on productivity and team morale.

The Australian Network on Disability details the many business benefits of employing people with disability.

Recruiting people with disability

Your local Disability Employment Service offers free expert help and will provide any assistance and support you require to employ a person with disability, including:

  • professional recruitment advice
  • help with job design
  • developing job descriptions
  • training and awareness-raising activities for employers, managers and co-workers
  • on the job training and support for employees with disability
  • ongoing support in the workplace
  • help with access to financial support and incentives.

Financial assistance

When employing a person with disability, you may be eligible for financial assistance, such as:

  • the Supported Wage System—a productivity based wage assessment system for people with disability.
  • wage subsidies—payments made to eligible employers to help cover the costs of paying wages in the first few months of employing a person with disability
  • the Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support Program—payments made to employers who employ apprentices with disabilities
  • the Employment Assistance Fund—reimburses employers for the cost of work-related modifications and services required for employing people with disability e.g. modifications to the physical work environment or work vehicles, AUSLAN interpreting, disability awareness training and communication devices.

More information

Visit the JobAccess website for comprehensive information and resources on employing a person with disability, or call them on 1800 464 800.

National disability conference

The Australian Network on Disability is holding its Raising the Bar 2012 conference in May this year in Sydney. The conference is about disability as it affects business, with topics covered including disability confidence, inclusion of people with disability and supporting employees with mental illness. Registrations for the conference close on 1 May. You can find out more by visiting the Australian Network on Disability website, calling 1300 363 645 or emailing info@and.org.au.

Did you know?

SANE Australia's Mindful Employer program gives employers and employees the skills and knowledge to respond to mental health issues in the workplace.

Disability confidence

According to the Australian Network on Disability, a ‘disability confident' organisation:

  • understands how people with disability relate to their business as potential and existing employees, customers, suppliers and stakeholders
  • creates a culture of inclusion and removes barriers to people with disability
  • adjusts their processes or services to enable individuals to contribute as employees, customers and stakeholders.

Being disability confident makes good business sense and provides unique opportunities for an organisation, including:

Last updated:
24 April 2012

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