Who Can Access Inclusive Employment Australia?

Not sure if you are eligible to access Inclusive Employment Australia? Find out with this handy guide.

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is the Federal Government’s latest employment support program for people with disability.

Launched in November 2025, it replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) program, introducing a more flexible, person-centred approach to help jobseekers prepare for, find and keep meaningful employment.

But what does that all mean?

If you are wondering what IEA is all about and whether it could be a great fit for you, you are in the right place.

Here, we unpack IEA, including key eligibility criteria and how the nationwide scheme could help you on your employment journey. 

What Is Inclusive Employment Australia?

IEA is a national initiative designed to improve employment outcomes for people with disability, injury or health conditions.

The model provides tailored support based on a person’s goals, capacity and preferences. It introduces two service types:

• Intensive service: For participants ready to actively engage in pre-employment activities and job search
• Flexible service: For those who may have additional personal, health or family-related barriers

IEA places greater emphasis on choice, control and long-term outcomes, ensuring that people can receive the right level of support for as long as they need it.

Who Is Eligible for IEA?

To access services under IEA, a person must meet general eligibility requirements. These include:

• Disability, injury or health condition
  The individual must have a diagnosed condition that impacts their ability to find or maintain work without support.
• Age
  Participants must be at least 14 years old and not yet reached Age Pension age.
• Residency status
  The person must be:
• An Australian citizen or permanent resident
• Or hold a Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa
• Work readiness
  Participants may:
• Be currently unemployed
• Be working below their assessed capacity
• Be at risk of losing their job due to their disability or health condition

In some cases, people who are volunteering or exempt from participation requirements may still choose to access IEA services.

What Conditions Are Covered?

IEA supports individuals with a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Intellectual disability
• Autism
• Mental health conditions
• Physical disabilities
• Acquired brain injuries
• Chronic illnesses or ongoing medical conditions
• Sensory impairments (hearing or vision)

Eligibility is based on functional impact, not diagnosis alone. Services are matched to individual needs and work capacity.

Why Did IEA Replace DES?

Feedback from people with disability and their families, service providers and employers highlighted several limitations with the DES model, including:

• Inconsistent service quality
• Limited flexibility
• Support that was often too general or short-term

IEA is designed to address these issues by offering:

• More personalised support plans
• Access to providers with specialised expertise
• No fixed two-year service limit
• Stronger post-placement support

For jobseekers and their families, this means better continuity of support and a stronger chance of sustainable employment outcomes.

Start Your IEA Journey

Do you think you are eligible for IEA and would like to take the next step?

We are here to support you.

Endeavour Foundation is proud to be an IEA specialist provider for people with intellectual disability, delivering the program across Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Our standing as an IEA specialist provider recognises our long-time commitment to supporting people with intellectual disability to thrive in the workplace.

Now, we can help even more people to smash their employment goals with tailored programs and vital expertise that create a solid foundation for success.

Would you like to see how we can help you on your unique employment journey? Get in touch with us today.

Enquire Now