A new Specialist Disability Employment Program, that replaced the current DES program is now open for tender.
The new program, effective from July 1, 2025, is intended to improve employment and career outcomes for people with disability through individualised and effective specialist disability employment services.
It will concentrate on providing tailored supports to assist people with disability, injury and/or a health condition find and maintain suitable, sustainable employment that supports their career goals. These will be available from a wider range of small and specialist providers.
“We are inviting organisations with diverse expertise and a focus on providing quality services and are passionate about improving employment outcomes for people with disability to submit a tender response,” Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said. “We are prioritising both intensive and flexible services to meet the individual needs of participants and will expand eligibility to help those who will benefit most,” she said.
The new program has several key changes, including:
- expanded eligibility to help more people with disability, injury and/or a health condition prepare for and find sustainable employment, supporting up to 15,000 additional people a year with an assessed work capacity below eight hours per week, and people not on income support
- removal of the current two-year program limit
- a focus on the meaningful engagement of participants by providers, with the expectation that providers will work with participants to build positive relationships and take a partnership-based approach to goal setting and engagement in activities
- increased flexibility and customisation to meet the individual needs of participants through two new service offers based around intensive or flexible servicing arrangements.
Organisations can submit a tender through AusTender, which closes on October 30, 2024.
More information is available on the DSS website.