The Government has announced changes to Disability Employment Services (DES). From the beginning of the new financial year (1 July 2021), fewer jobseekers will be eligible for DES.

If you think you may not be able to apply for DES in a couple of months, we encourage you to register your interest today. All jobseekers who have registered with the program, and had their eligibility confirmed, before 1 July 2021 will be able to receive DES support.

The eligibility criteria is changing to direct Government funding to those with a need for specialist disability services. You’ll no longer be eligible for DES if:

• you’re assessed as being able to work 30 hours or more each week
• you’re not receiving an income support payment, unless you’re:
  • ESAt/JCA exempt (Eligible School leaver, Special Class Client or Work Assist)
  • a current NDIS participant
  • a Pre-Release Prisoner
  • undertaking a DES program to satisfy Program of Support requirements.

There are other employment programs, like Workforce Australia, which can help you find work if you’re no longer eligible.

If you’re interested in DES, and think you may not be eligible from 1 July, we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. All jobseekers registered and commenced with the program before the end of this financial year will continue to receive DES support.

Currently, you might be eligible for DES if you’re:

• living with a disability, injury, treated illness or health condition that makes it difficult to find and keep a job. This includes individuals living with physical or intellectual disability, learning difficulties, mental health conditions or those that are blind, visually impaired, deaf or hearing impaired.
• an Australian citizen or hold a Permanent resident, Temporary Protection, Special Category or Safe Haven Visa
• aged between 14 and 65 and older than the minimum legal working age in your state or territory. Find out more about your legal working age here: https://yla.org.au
• are at or above the minimum legal working age in your state or territory
• are not studying full time, unless English is your second language (ESL)
• able to work at least 8 hours per week, with no assessment of maximum hours
• are not working at or above your Employment Benchmark hours (not applicable for those participating in Work Assist, NDIS or the Disability Employment Continuity of Support program).

Call us on 1800 226 228 or register your interest.