Disability Employment Services (DES)

A mainstream program, separate from the NDIS, that helps people with disability find and keep a job.

What it means

Disability Employment Services, often shortened to DES, is an Australian Government program that helps people with disability, injury or a health condition to find a job and stay in it. It sits outside the NDIS and is delivered by organisations that specialise in employment support. Because it is a mainstream service, DES is available to eligible people whether or not they have an NDIS plan.

DES does not use NDIS funding. Instead, it is funded separately by the government, which means using DES does not draw down on a person's NDIS budget. Many people access DES on its own, while others use it alongside NDIS employment supports so the two work together. The idea is that everyday services in the community, like DES, do the general work of helping someone into a job, and the NDIS steps in for the extra, disability-specific supports a person may still need.

In practice

A DES provider can help with things like preparing a resume, practising for interviews, looking for suitable roles and talking with employers about workplace adjustments. Support can continue after a person starts work, so they have help to settle in and keep the job over time.

If you have an NDIS plan, it can be worth talking to your planner or support coordinator about how DES and your NDIS supports fit together. For example, DES might help you find and apply for a role, while NDIS-funded supports build the skills or confidence you need to take part. Keeping the roles clear helps avoid two services trying to do the same thing, and makes sure you are getting the right help from the right place.

A real example

For example, Priya wanted to move from volunteering into a paid job at a local cafe. She signed up with a Disability Employment Services provider, who helped her update her resume and practise interview questions, and later spoke with the cafe about small changes to her shifts. Because DES is a separate government program, none of this came out of Priya's NDIS budget.

Disability Employment Services (DES) — FAQs

Does using DES cost me any of my NDIS funding?
No. Disability Employment Services is a separate Australian Government program with its own funding, so using it does not draw down on your NDIS budget. You can use DES on its own or alongside your NDIS supports without affecting the money in your plan. It is treated as a mainstream service, sitting outside the NDIS.
Can I use DES and NDIS employment supports at the same time?
Yes, many people do. DES generally helps with finding and keeping a job, while NDIS employment supports focus on disability-specific help, such as building skills or confidence. It is worth talking to your support coordinator or planner about how the two fit together, so each service has a clear role and you are not doubling up.
Who can access Disability Employment Services?
DES is for people with disability, injury or a health condition who need help to find or keep a job. Eligibility is set by the Australian Government, not the NDIS, so you do not need an NDIS plan to use it. A good first step is to contact a DES provider or check your eligibility through the relevant government service.
What kind of help does a DES provider give?
A DES provider can help you prepare a resume, get ready for interviews, search for suitable roles and talk with employers about workplace adjustments. Support often continues after you start, so you have help to settle into the job and keep it. The exact support depends on your goals and what you need to work.
Should DES or the NDIS help me find a job?
Usually a mainstream service like DES does the general work of helping you find and keep a job, while the NDIS funds the extra, disability-specific supports you still need to take part. Keeping these roles separate avoids two services doing the same thing. Your planner or support coordinator can help you work out the best mix for your situation.

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