COVID-19 Update – August 2021

To all Participants, Carers and Guardians, I would like to present you some new information that keeps you safe. This information includes restrictions, closures, services information, and vaccination information. These are worrying times for everyone and we will continue to do all we can to support participants, families and staff. We continue to follow Health advice and Public Health Orders to protect participants, our families, colleagues, and the wider community. In our aim to support you... CONTINUE READING

Seabreeze and Bonville – New Mid-North Coast Respite Homes for people with disability now open

  • August 11,2021
  • News

Ability Options has re-opened their Seabreeze and Bonville Respite Homes in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, following COVID-19 challenges of 2020 which led to an unforeseen year-long closure without Respite Services in the area. Respite Services provide short-term accommodation for people with disability and their carers to relax, or simply take a short break. This is either a planned holiday, or somewhere for... CONTINUE READING

How to reduce employee turnover

  • August 7,2021
  • Blog

Employee turnover is something that every business with workers will experience. Yet, when employee turnover does occur, it costs the business time, money and productivity. Businesses with a high employee turnover don’t have to change their operating procedures. Instead, management may w... CONTINUE READING

Mutual Obligations Update

Mutual Obligation Requirements have been temporarily suspended until Tuesday 3 August 2021. This extended suspension of requirements applies to job seekers and participants with mutual obligation requirements across employment services programs − jobactive, ParentsNext, and DES. This applies throughout the LGAs of Bayside, Blue Mountains, Canada Bay, Central Coast, City of Sydney, Greater Sydney, Inner West, Randwick, Shellharbour, Wollongong, and Woollahra. This now means all mutual oblig... CONTINUE READING

Temporary site closures due to COVID

Due to the Sydney lock down and the heightened exposure sites in the South West Sydney, we will be temporarily closing the following offices until Friday the 16th July 2021, with a decision on extending these temporary closures to be made at the end of the week depending on circumstances. Auburn Parramatta Merrylands Fairfield Cabramatta Liverpool Campbelltown Camden Ingleburn... CONTINUE READING

COVID-19 first vaccinations day

We were the first disability service provider to be rolling out the new and approved Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations. Participants were in Phase 1a, as were quarantine, border, and frontline health workers. The first 20 vaccinations happened at Castle Hill Medical Centre. This media event was shown live across the country and our own Disability Support Worker Mila Thomas was the 7th person in Australia to receive the vaccine and the first Ability Options employee. This hallmark event included... CONTINUE READING

How to promote health and wellbeing in the workplace

Mentally healthy workplaces are an environment that makes people want to come to work. As workers find themselves spending longer hours at work, it is important they feel mentally healthy, safe and valued at their workplace. This is not only for their own wellbeing, b... CONTINUE READING

The cost of turnover for small businesses

  • January 17,2021
  • Blog

Employee turnover has a range of negative effects on small businesses. From low morale and poor output to negative impacts on a company’s reputation, it’s in a company’s best interest to reduce turnover. Staff are integral to small businesses - they keep operations running and the money coming in. While employee turnover can’t be eliminated, it can be reduced by providing a workplace where people are happy and want to work with you and for you.... CONTINUE READING

Tips for hiring for seasonal fluctuations

  • October 7,2020
  • Blog

Work that doesn’t occur all year-round is referred to as seasonal work, and companies will hire additional staff in line with seasonal fluctuations. These times of year can be very stressful, especially if you fail to anticipate staffing needs and cash flow, or don’t understand your obligations when hiring temporary staff. With this in mind, here are some tips for hiring with seasonal fluctuations.... CONTINUE READING

Kathryn Key to lead the way in Transforming Community Services

Last month, Kathryn Key took up the role of Project Executive for the Transforming Community Services Program. Her leadership of Community Services spans from Coffs Harbour to Sydney, along with Support Coordination, our business support team (PALs) for Community and Therapy...

Ability Options would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.