Families and carers can play an important role as people with intellectual disability begin their Inclusive Employment Australia journey. Here's how you can help your loved one feel informed and confident from the start.
For many people with intellectual disability, starting work can feel both exciting and daunting.
The right support can help build confidence, reduce uncertainty and create a positive foundation for the future.
If your loved one is joining the Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program, your involvement can help them navigate new information, understand their options and feel more confident about what comes next.
Providing support does not mean making every decision for your loved one. The goal is to help them understand their choices, communicate what matters to them and remain at the centre of their employment journey.
Here are some practical ways you can help.
IEA is the Australian Government’s national disability employment program, helping eligible people with disability, injury or health conditions prepare for, find and maintain a job.
Support delivered through the program can include building confidence, developing workplace skills, preparing for interviews, connecting with employers and receiving guidance after employment starts.
Services Australia may refer someone to IEA after discussing their circumstances and support needs. In some cases, the person may complete an Employment Services Assessment before being referred.
Understanding the basic IEA process can help you explain what is happening in a way that doesn’t overwhelm your loved one with too much information.
Before your loved one has their Services Australia appointment, talk with them about what they would like the assessor to understand. You could help them write down:
Try to use the person’s own words wherever possible.
You can also help gather documents requested by Services Australia, such as reports that explain the person’s diagnosis, functional needs or previous support.
Ask your loved one whether they would like you to attend the appointment or help them prepare. Depending on the situation, Services Australia may also require formal permission before discussing personal information with another person.
A person referred to IEA can usually choose the service provider they want to work with. They can also change providers later if the service is not meeting their needs.
Families and carers can help compare providers by looking at:
Do not assume that the closest or first suggested provider will automatically be the best fit. Taking the time to compare providers can help you find a service that aligns with your loved one's goals and support needs.
At Endeavour Foundation, we are a specialist IEA provider for people with intellectual disability. This means our approach is shaped by experience supporting people with intellectual disability with tailored information, employment preparation and ongoing workplace support.
Families often have valuable insights into a loved one’s strengths, support needs and previous experiences. But the person should still have a genuine say in:
Instead of asking, “What job should they do?”, try asking:
These questions can make employment planning feel more practical and less intimidating.
With your loved one’s consent, share information that may help their IEA provider support them best. This could include:
It is also helpful to share strengths. Talk about what the person does well, what motivates them and the situations in which they are most confident.
The provider should see the whole person, not just their barriers.
Employment journeys do not always move in a straight line.
A person may need time to build confidence, explore different jobs or recover from an experience that did not work out.
Their goals may also change as they learn more about different workplaces. You can help by:
The goal is not simply to find any job. It is to work towards employment that is suitable and sustainable.
As a specialist IEA provider for people with intellectual disability, our team works with participants, families and supporters to understand each person’s strengths, communication preferences and employment goals.
The jobseeker remains at the centre of decisions, with families and carers involved where they choose.
You can access our IEA support across Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
Chat with our team about supporting someone through a Services Australia referral or choosing Endeavour Foundation as their IEA provider.