Inclusive Employment Australia

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA), an initiative of the Department of Social Services, is the new specialised disability employment program that replaces the Disability Employment Services (or DES) program.

Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to deliver participant-focused employment services, increase flexibility and tailoring of supports, broaden eligibility to include more jobseekers, have a strong focus on quality service delivery and increase wage subsidies to support the creation of employment opportunities.

There are two IEA service streams providers who have expertise across a diverse range of disabilities, injuries and health conditions, referred to as All Cohort Providers. There are also providers for a specific cohort, referred to as Specific Cohort Providers. These providers will only deliver services from that cohort for example identified by a participants’ personal characteristics (e.g. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or youth) and/or type of disability, injury or health condition (for example, intellectual disability or Autism).

IEA provides support to job seekers, to prepare for, find, and maintain employment, with a focus on career growth and development. It also works with employers to create more inclusive workplaces, fostering understanding and support for employees with disabilities.

IEA is a regulated activity under the Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 (DSI Act), requiring service providers to:

• Comply with the Code of Conduct
• Hold a certificate of compliance
• Implement and maintain an appropriate complaints management system
• Implement and maintain an appropriate incident management system
• Not be subject to a NDIS banning order.

To be eligible for funding under the DSI Act, providers must hold a certificate of compliance in respect of the National Standard for Disability Services.