DES to be replaced by Inclusive Employment Australia November 1st 2025

At CoAct, we’re here to support you every step of the way. We want to make sure you’re informed and prepared for an important upcoming change to Disability Employment Services (DES). From 1st November 2025, DES will transition to a new program called Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA).

The name change reflects a broader vision for creating a more inclusive and supportive employment landscape for people with disabilities and diverse needs. According to the Department of Social Services the name ‘Inclusive Employment Australia’ was chosen to prioritise inclusivity and reflect the program’s commitment to breaking down barriers to employment for all individuals. This shift aims to emphasise not only the employment aspect but also the importance of collaboration and understanding within workplaces, fostering a truly inclusive environment for everyone.

What is Inclusive Employment Australia?

Inclusive Employment Australia is a new program designed to help people with disability, injuries, or health conditions achieve their career goals through personalised support and inclusive practices. This new program will replace DES and aims to make finding and keeping a job easier by focusing on what works best for you.

We believe this change will provide better outcomes for both job seekers and employers by building an accessible and participant-focused system. Inclusive Employment Australia will collaborate with local communities, businesses, and employment providers to ensure everyone involved benefits from these changes.

We are incredibly excited about the launch of Inclusive Employment Australia and the positive changes it will bring. Our goal is to empower Australian job seekers, especially those facing unique challenges, by providing personalised support and fostering truly inclusive workplaces – Simon Brown, CEO.

How will this affect job seekers?

If you’re currently part of DES, there’s no need to worry, once the details of the Inclusive Employment Australia procurement process are finalised you will be notified in writing of next steps. CoAct will support you through every step of the transition, making sure you understand what the changes mean for you. We’ll communicate with you directly to keep you updated, and we’ll work closely with Inclusive Employment Australia to ensure a smooth and stress-free changeover.

We’re excited about this new opportunity to continue helping you achieve your goals. Watch out for more information as we get closer to the program’s launch in November 2025!

More information on Inclusive Employment Australia

If you’d like to know more about these upcoming changes the Department of Social Services has released an Inclusive Employment Australia factsheet.

Update: August 2025

We’re proud to announce that CoAct, as a leading not-for-profit employment services provider, has been selected to deliver the Australian Government’s new disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia, through its national network of service partners. Commencing 1 November 2025, the program will support people with disability and long-term illnesses to prepare for, find and maintain work and grow their career.

Replacing the current Disability Employment Services (DES) program, Inclusive Employment Australia represents a shift toward a more tailored, community-focused model championing choice and control for jobseekers and enhancing engagement with local employers to drive inclusive hiring practices.

As Australia’s leading network of not-for-profit community service providers, CoAct was awarded delivery of the Inclusive Employment Australia contract nationally, ensuring consistent, community-driven employment support across Australia with CoAct’s broad national reach.

CoAct will deliver Inclusive Employment Australia through its network of service partners, with two new partners, The Bridge Inc and MCM, joining the network.

Generalist providers:

• BUSY Ability
• Ability Options
• IMPACT Community Services
• The Bridge Inc

Specialist providers:

• Ability WA
• MS Plus
• MS Queensland
• MSWA
• MCM

View the full article here.