If Services Australia has referred you to Inclusive Employment Australia, you may be unsure about what happens next. We outline what to expect and what steps to take.
You may have heard a bit about Inclusive Employment Australia – or IEA, for short.
This is the Australian Government’s specialist disability employment program, which helps eligible people with disability, injury or health conditions prepare for, find and maintain a job.
As part of the IEA program, you will have the opportunity to partner with a service provider. These organisations are designed to support you throughout your employment journey.
Your IEA provider may help you:
Before your Services Australia appointment, it can help to understand your options and research service providers that may suit your needs.
Services Australia may speak with you about your ability to work, your employment goals and your support needs.
In some cases, you may also complete an Employment Services Assessment. This helps Services Australia understand how your disability affects your ability to work and what type of employment support may suit you.
As we have mentioned, if you are eligible for IEA, Services Australia may refer you to a service provider.
You can choose the IEA service provider you want to work with. This means you do not have to accept the first provider suggested simply because they may be closest to your home or can meet with you at the earliest opportunity.
You do not need to have everything worked out beforehand, but being prepared can help you feel more confident. Think about:
It may also help to write down questions you want to ask Services Australia.
IEA providers can vary in their experience, approach and areas of specialisation.
Some providers support people across many different employment programs. Others specialise in supporting particular groups, including people with intellectual disability.
When comparing providers, consider whether they:
Your closest provider may not always be the one that best understands your needs.
You can contact a provider before your Services Australia appointment to ask questions and learn more about how they work.
During your Services Australia appointment, tell the person you are speaking with which provider you would like to choose.
For example, you could say:
“I would like to choose Endeavour Foundation because they are a specialist Inclusive Employment Australia provider for people with intellectual disability.”
You can also write down the provider’s name and bring it to your appointment.
Services Australia can then check whether the provider delivers IEA services in your Employment Service Area (ESA) and arrange the referral.
If you do not know which provider to choose, you can ask Services Australia for more time to research your options.
People with intellectual disability often benefit from employment support that truly understands their needs. This could include:
A specialist provider should understand that employment success is not only about finding a vacancy. It is about finding work that matches the person’s abilities, interests, communication preferences and support needs.
Endeavour Foundation is a specialist IEA provider for people with intellectual disability, operating in selected areas across Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
We have more than 75 years of experience supporting people with intellectual disability to live, learn, work and participate in their communities.
Our IEA team takes time to understand each person’s:
You can still research your options.
IEA participants can choose or change providers if they think another organisation may be a better fit.
You do not need to remain with a provider that does not understand your goals or support needs.
You can also search the official list of IEA providers before your appointment.
You do not have to navigate your Services Australia referral alone.
We are here to help you.
Talk to us before your Services Australia appointment to learn more about our specialist approach and to check whether we deliver IEA services in your area.
Then, you can decide whether we may be the right provider for you.