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Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) has changed the way people with intellectual disability find and keep jobs and thrive in the workplace. Here is a rundown of the program and what it means for you.
In a shift towards a more inclusive job landscape, Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) represents a meaningful step forward.
It puts people with intellectual disability at the centre of employment services.
Launched in November 2025, IEA replaced the often-criticised Disability Employment Services (DES) program.
This updated model is designed to better meet the diverse needs of people with disability by offering more tailored, person-centred support.
Personalised support is especially important for people with intellectual disability, who often face unique barriers in the job market.
How does the IEA program work exactly?
In this article, we explain what IEA is about and how it can support you.
All-Cohort vs Specific-Cohort Providers
One of the most significant changes with the IEA model is the introduction of two types of providers:
- All-cohort providers deliver employment services to a broad range of participants with various disabilities
- Specific-cohort providers are contracted to work with participants who share particular characteristics, such as a specific disability type or background
This new structure ensures that people with intellectual disability can access support from providers who understand their needs and have the expertise to deliver more targeted, individualised assistance.
Why Specialisation Matters
Generalist approaches often overlook the specific support needs of people with intellectual disability. These may include:
- Stigma or misunderstanding about capabilities
- Limited access to inclusive job design or training
- Communication or cognitive challenges during job-seeking processes
IEA addresses this by enabling specialised providers to:
- Build meaningful, trust-based relationships
- Understand each person’s conditions for success
- Offer accessible, consistent and paced support
- Involve families and support networks in goal planning and progress
Sector Feedback and Community Expectations
Feedback from participants, families and service providers has made one thing clear: a more inclusive employment system must offer better fit and follow-through.
Many individuals with intellectual disability disengaged under DES because the support was too broad, too fast-paced or not aligned with their goals.
By shifting to a structure that values deep expertise and personalisation, IEA is geared to lift both satisfaction and outcomes. This approach helps more people find and stay in rewarding employment.
Simplified Access to Services
IEA also makes it easier to connect with employment support. Participants can:
- Be referred by Services Australia
- Directly register with a provider of their choice
This added flexibility gives participants more control over who they work with and how their support is delivered. It also helps ensure that services begin from a place of understanding and alignment, rather than obligation.
Your IEA Partner
IEA represents a more inclusive, responsive system. It is built to deliver the right support, at the right pace, from people who genuinely understand intellectual disability and what success looks like at an individual level.
That is where we come in...
Endeavour Foundation is proud to be an IEA specialist provider for people with intellectual disability. This reflects our decades-long efforts to remove barriers and support people with intellectual disability to flourish in employment.
As a specialist provider, we are committed to helping even more people with intellectual disability, along with their families and support networks, to find and keep open, sustainable employment.
Would you like to see how we can help you with your employment goals through IEA? Get in touch with us now.
