What the Transition from DES to Inclusive Employment Australia Means for Your Clients

A major shift is coming to disability employment, and the way you refer clients is about to become a lot more flexible. We reveal all.

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is a new national model designed to put participants at the centre of their employment journey, with more choice, more tailored support and a stronger focus on long-term outcomes.

For Support Coordinators, allied health professionals and other referrers, these changes will directly affect how your clients access employment services, the types of supports that are available and the way you connect them to the right provider.

In this article, we break down what’s changing, what stays the same and how you can prepare your clients for a smooth transition.

Why DES is Changing

The Department of Social Services (DSS) developed IEA to move away from DES’ one-size-fits-all model and towards more personalised, flexible supports. Key aims of the reform include:

• Matching people to the right supports based on their individual goals and circumstances
• Allowing flexibility in the type, intensity and duration of support
• Delivering better employment outcomes for people with higher support needs, such as those with intellectual disability
• Encouraging stronger partnerships between providers, employers and communities

Key Differences You Need to Know

Understanding the structure of IEA will help you guide clients to the right provider from the start.

1. The Two Service Streams

• Intensive support: For participants needing regular, structured assistance to prepare for, find and maintain work
• Flexible support: For participants who can work more independently but still benefit from targeted check-ins

2. Greater Choice for Participants

From the outset, participants can choose their provider, making your role in helping them evaluate and compare options even more important.

3. New Matching Process

A new assessment will determine each participant’s service stream and support plan. The information you provide during referral can directly influence how well the match meets their needs.

What This Means for You as a Referrer

While your core role of supporting client choice remains, IEA places greater emphasis on:

• Knowing provider strengths so you can make informed recommendations
• Starting preparations early to avoid delays in service commencement
• Working closely with providers to ensure smooth onboarding for clients

How Endeavour Foundation Can Help Your Clients Thrive Under IEA

As a specialist IEA provider, Endeavour Foundation brings decades of experience helping people with intellectual disability secure rewarding work. Our approach is built around:

• Personalised workplace-matching based on skills, interests and goals
• Strong employer networks committed to inclusive hiring
• Ongoing workplace support for both the participant and employer
• Proven record of transitioning clients from DES to open employment with long-term success

Prepare Your Clients for What’s Next

The shift to Inclusive Employment Australia is a chance to give your clients more choice, tailored support and better employment outcomes, but only if the groundwork is done early.

By partnering with a provider who understands the changes, has proven experience in supporting people with intellectual disability and is ready to start the conversation now, you can ensure your clients are set up for success.

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