Employment services for young people with disability, autism or other additional needs

Australian Government – National Disability Coordination Officer Program
The Australian Government’s National Disability Coordination Officer (NDCO) Program helps people with disability access and participate in tertiary education and subsequent employment. It does this through a national network of regionally based NDCOs. There are NDCOs around Australia.

Australian Government New Business Assistance with NEIS
The Australian Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) offers training, mentoring and financial support to people who are interested in starting and running their own businesses.

Australian Network on Disability
This is a group of understanding and proactive employers who are looking for the talent of employees with disability. It runs internships and mentoring programs for people with disability.

Disability Employment Services (DES)
DES is a group of providers that offer free services to help young people with disability get ready for and find work. They can help young people with things like writing resumés or practising for job interviews. They might also run training programs and offer school leaver employment supports (SLES) services.

Each DES is different, and you and your child can choose which one to use. It’s a good idea to do some research and contact a few DESs to find the best one for your child. A disability peak body might be able to suggest a DES to suit your child.

Here are questions you can ask to help you find the right DES for your child:

• What support can you provide for someone with my child’s needs?
• What success have you had in finding jobs for people with my child’s needs?
• How will you go about understanding my child’s work-related needs?
• What training can you provide so my child can learn workplace skills?
• How do you conduct job searches?
• Which industries do you have links with employers in?
• How many clients does each consultant work with?
• How can I work with you to help my child find work?
• What support can you give my child once they’ve started work?

You can find DES providers in your area on Job Access.

The government is developing a new disability employment service to replace the DES program from July 2025.

Job Jumpstart
This online career planning tool can help people look for jobs, build careers, and do well at work.

LinkedIn
This is a social network for professionals, which many employers use to post jobs and look for suitable candidates. It could be a good idea to help your child set up a LinkedIn profile and connect with understanding employers in their area of interest.

National Disability Insurance Scheme – Employment
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funds reasonable and necessary supports to help people with disability reach goals throughout life, including employment goals.

School leaver employment supports
School leaver employment supports (SLES) is an early intervention approach for Year 12 school leavers. It’s designed to support transition from school to employment. Providers help young people prepare for and find work.

Various providers offer SLES services and programs. These providers include Disability Employment Services (DES).

SLES is funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Scope – Customised Employment
Scope is piloting the Customised Employment model in partnership with the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice and The University of Melbourne. Customised Employment takes people from exploring their interests, skills and strengths to finding suitable work. It also includes post-employment support.

Specialisterne
This organisation specialises in finding work for autistic people. It works with national and global organisations that want to employ autistic people.

Books on employment for teenagers with disability, autism or other additional needs

These books on preparing for the workforce might help you and your child:

• The hidden curriculum of getting and keeping a job by Brenda Smith Myles, Judy Endow and Malcolm Mayfield
• The complete guide to getting a job for people with Asperger’s syndrome by Barbara Bissonnette

Western Sydney University – Get Ready Top Tips Workbooks
These student workbooks and Parent Guide are based on 10 top tips for young people with disability. They contain information, contacts and activities to help students make a successful transition from school into tertiary study, work or post-school programs.