Get the facts to NDIS And Supported Employment

January 10, 2022

There are many benefits of working in a job that you enjoy. Not only does it help you build financial independence and strengthen your social connections, but it also helps improve your health and wellbeing. 

However, as a registered NDIS provider, we know that finding a job is not always simple. Many of our clients have had to overcome challenges, such as limited accessibility, communication barriers or physical barriers, to secure a job. In Australia, only 24 per cent of working-age NDIS participants have a paid job. 

Whether you are a school leaver who is looking to transfer into work, or simply need an extra hand to achieve your employment goals, then you may be eligible for support in employment (formerly known as specialised supported employment). Funded by the NDIS, this form of support can help you achieve your employment dreams and live the life you deserve. 

What are supports in employment? 

NDIS and supported employment funding can cover a range of things. If you are deemed eligible, the NDIS can provide you with funding for day-to-day assistance in your workplace or direct support in finding and obtaining employment. You can also utilise this funding for frequent and ongoing on-the-job employment supports in any workplace you want. 

The types of supports that you can utilise supported employment funding for include: 

• On-the-job assessments related to the impact of a person’s disability on their ability to work 
• Job customisation 
• On-the-job training and intermittent support with daily work tasks 
• Direct supervision and/or group-based support to enable meaningful participation at work 
• Supports to manage disability-related behaviour or complex needs at work 
• Non-face-to-face activities that are directly related to supporting a participant’s employment, taking into account a participant’s disability

Your funded NDIS support can also cover capacity building employment supports including employment-related assessment and counselling, workplace assistance and school leaver and employment supports. 

Benefits of supports in employment 

As we mentioned earlier, there are a lot of benefits to gaining employment. Not only does securing a job provide you with more responsibility and therefore improving your skills such as problem-solving and communication, but it’s also a great way to become more independent. 

Receiving funding for employment supports can help you develop your personal and social skills, give you a purpose and a sense of belonging, improve your confidence and self-esteem, and strengthen your friendships and connections with other people. 

Changes to NDIS and supported employment 

In July 2020, the NDIS introduced new pricing for supports in employment that will improve your opportunity to gain and maintain your job. One of the changes made was moving funding from the capacity building budget, into your core budget. These changes will allow you to have greater choice and control about where and how you work and who delivers your supports. 

For example, you can use your supports when working in government and non-government organisations, an ADE, social enterprises, micro-businesses, or in self-employment or a family run business.  

Are you eligible for NDIS and supported employment? 

If you have an employment related short or long-term goal, then you may be eligible for funding for supports in employment. To be eligible for this type of support, you must be over 15 years-old and require ongoing, frequent on-the-job support to pursue and achieve their employment goals. 

The NDIS will consider your employment goals, the number of hours you are working or would like to be working, and the level of support you may require to achieve your employment goals. When determining your budget for supports in employment, the NDIS will use: 

1. Reports and assessments
2. Participant consultation
3. Participant employment goals

If you believe you might be eligible for this type of support, then you will need to set up an NDIS planning meeting with your local area coordinator. To prepare for this meeting, it’s important that you have make a list of your goals – including your employment goals – and collect any training certificates, school reports and work experience or volunteer work records and references. 

To help you prepare for your first NDIS planning meeting, read our blog. 

About Disability Plan Services

As a registered NDIS provider, Disability Plan Services can help you gain NDIS funding for supports in employment. Our friendly and experienced team can help you prepare for your NDIS planning meeting, manage your NDIS plan, and help you secure employment after you have received funding. 

Working with Disability Plan Services as your NDIS Plan Management provider will allow you to maintain control of your support services without the difficult administration and record keeping.

If you would like to learn more about NDIS and supported employment, contact one of our friendly team members today.