A New Era in Disability Employment: What Is Inclusive Employment Australia?

Big changes are coming to Australia’s disability employment system, and we are here to help you navigate them.

Endeavour Foundation has been selected as a specialist provider of the new Inclusive Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program, delivering tailored services to support people with disability to find and maintain rewarding employment.

On 1 November 2025, IEA will officially replace the current Disability Employment Services (DES) program.

Backed by a $5.4 billion investment over five years, this new national approach marks the biggest shift in disability employment in more than a decade. IEA aims to deliver more tailored, flexible and empowering support.

What does this mean for you or the people you support? Let’s break it down.

Why Is DES Being Replaced?

DES has helped many people with disability to find work over the years. But the system has long faced growing calls for change, particularly around the need for more personalised, flexible and empowering support.

In addition to these concerns, DES was approaching the end of its funding cycle and was already scheduled for reform.

To build a stronger, more effective system, the Australian Government has introduced Inclusive Employment Australia – a new framework that introduces more flexible service delivery, tailored support and better outcomes for participants.

What Is Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA)?

IEA is the new national program that will guide how employment support is delivered to people with disability. It aims to offer:

• Two service pathways – ‘intensive’ and ‘flexible’ – to reflect a participant’s readiness and ability to engage
• Tailored support aligned with an individual’s goals, support needs and job readiness
• Greater flexibility and personalisation in how services are accessed and delivered
• Stronger pathways to long-term, rewarding employment

A $5.4 Billion Investment in Inclusion

The Government’s $5.4 billion commitment over five years will fund:

• Higher-quality, person-centred employment services
• Greater diversity of providers
• Improved training and post-placement support
• New opportunities for individuals to connect with sustainable, rewarding employment

This investment reflects a major step towards building a more inclusive, future-ready workforce.

What Is a Specific-Cohort Provider?

One of the key changes under IEA is the introduction of two provider categories:

• Specific-cohort providers: These are organisations contracted to deliver services to participants with particular characteristics, such as disability type (e.g., intellectual disability or autism) or background (e.g., First Nations or youth).
• All-cohort providers: These providers will support a broader participant base across multiple disability types and needs.

This structure aims to ensure that participants are matched with providers who deeply understand their unique needs and can offer more targeted support.

Key Dates and the Transition Timeline

• Mid to Late 2025: Providers will be announced, and service transitions will begin.
• 1 November 2025: Inclusive Employment Australia officially replaces the DES program.
• From 1 November 2025: Participants, families and referrers will begin engaging with the new system.

During this transition, eligible participants will be supported to understand their options, connect with the right provider and begin planning for employment success under the new model.

What Is Next?

Shortly, more information will become available about:

• Which organisations have been selected as IEA providers
• How to register or refer under the new system
• What the participant journey will look like under IEA
• The support available to employers

Let’s Make the Transition to IEA Work for You

A new system is on the way, and with it, new opportunities to get the support that works for you.

Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to offer more choice and flexibility and better outcomes. But with any change, it can be hard to know where to start.

That is where we come in.

Our team is across the latest updates and is ready to help you make sense of what this shift means, whether you are navigating it for yourself, a family member or someone you support.

Have questions? Let’s chat.

We will help you feel confident, informed and ready for what is next.

Register your interest in Endeavour Foundation below to receive important updates, practical tips and resources to help you prepare for the transition to Inclusive Employment Australia, or click here to learn more.