Working in Open Employment provides many outcomes and benefits that may include:

• financial independence
• the potential to make long term financial commitments such as mortgages
• increased self esteem
• sense of identity
• development of skills and competence
• respect and valued status in the community
• possible achievement of a nationally recognised vocational qualification
• opportunity to form friendships with co-workers who may not have disabilities
• a productive life with a structure and routine.

Open Employment Services provide employment assistance to people with disabilities in 3 main areas:

Pre-employment
Including

• vocational assessment determining individual employment assistance needs
• employment assistance plans setting specific employment assistance, goals and objectives
• vocational interest determining employment aspirations
• career counselling providing information and guidance to career choice
• work experience to sample and develop skills in different employment environments
• job seeking training (non accredited) giving skills related to securing employment generally
• accredited training in industry specific areas or general employment skills
• school to work transition programs specifically targeted at school leavers

Some related links include:

Visit Myfutures website

Visit Jobguides website

Employment
A Disability Employment Agency will support placement in employment by:

• marketing individual job seekers to suitable employers
• assisting individual job search activities
• matching job seekers with vacancies
• administering employment incentive programs including Wage Subsidies, Work Place Modification, Disability Apprentice Worker Scheme (DAWS), Supported Wage Scheme
• assessing workplace suitability and need for modifications
• providing on the job training and support training to industry and individual employer requirements
• providing disability awareness training and support to employers and co-workers of workers with a disability
• transport training.

Visit New Apprenticeships website

Visit Jobsearch website

Post-placement
Disability Employment Services will support in post-placement by providing:

• ongoing support and monitoring
• career counselling and advancement
• re-training and further training.

To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, either Open Employment or Business Services, a job seeker needs to be endorsed by Centrelink. This involves filling out:

1. an “Application for employment assistance” which registers the job seeker
   
2. a ‘Work ability information – professionals report’ which is completed by a professional person such as a teacher who knows you. This report looks at the person’s capacity to work. There may be a referral by Centrelink to a Disability Employment Services or possibly even the Job Network. A Disability Employment Service can assist with these forms.

If the person is referred by Centrelink to a Disability Employment Service they will have met the disability specific eligibility requirements.

Visit Centrelink website

There is a range of pathways for jobseekers to be able to have access to Employment Services. These include:

• self referral – approaching a service or calling and speaking to a staff member
• referral by Centrelink – they will provide a choice of services and advise of vacancies
• referral to services by schools and other educational services
• referral by other support services that assist with accommodation, recreation or other needs.

Some services provide specialist support to people with specific disabilities or needs, others may provide a range of different training options. Choosing the service that can best meet the needs of an individual is important, but as needs change, so too can the mix of service supports.

Visit Centrelink website