What is Inclusive Employment Australia?
Inclusive Employment Australia replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) from 1 November 2025.
The new Inclusive Employment Australia program helps people living with disability, injury or a health condition to prepare for, find and maintain employment.
Inclusive Employment Australia program offers broader access, stronger support, and greater flexibility than ever before. As an experienced inclusive employment agency, Ability Options delivers this program in partnership with CoAct Connect to support jobseekers across Sydney and surrounding regions.
Who can access inclusive employment support?
Eligibility for Inclusive Employment Australia is very flexible.
- Supports available to people living with disability, injury or health conditions who can work up to 30 hours per week
- If your work capacity is less than 8 hours per week, you can volunteer to participate
- You don’t need to be on income support to be eligible.
There is no time limit on participation. You can stay in the program for as long as you require inclusive employment support. The program is designed to meet people where they are — whether you are preparing to enter the workforce for the first time or looking to maintain employment. Program supports are tailored from intensive help for those preparing to be work-ready, to flexible assistance for those who need less intensive support.
How inclusive employment support in Australia works
Inclusive Employment Australia begins with understanding your goals, strengths and support needs.
1 — Assessment and planning
Your provider completes an initial assessment of your work capacity, goals and any barriers to employment. They then develop a tailored plan outlining practical steps such as training, skill development or job search activities.
2 — Preparing for work
Inclusive employment support may include building confidence, improving workplace communication, developing resumes and interview skills, and addressing barriers such as transport, health considerations or workplace adjustments.
3 — Job matching and placement
Your inclusive employment agency assists with job matching and employer engagement, and continues providing support after placement to help you maintain employment and build long-term stability.
How Inclusive Employment Australia supports long-term success
Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to provide personalised and flexible support that reflects your work capacity, goals and changing circumstances.
Through the program, you can access:
- Individualised support tailored to your skills, interests and employment goals
- Flexible participation with no fixed time limits, allowing you to progress at your own pace
- Ongoing assistance after employment begins, helping you adjust to workplace expectations
- Access to training and skill development to strengthen job readiness
- Support with workplace adjustments, where required
- Adaptable support that responds if your circumstances change
The program focuses not only on helping you secure a job but also on supporting sustained and meaningful employment over time. The goal is to build long-term stability, confidence and workforce participation.
Inclusive Employment Australia Locations
Ability Options is a CoAct Connect Network Partner, delivering the Inclusive Employment Australia program as CoAct Connect + Ability Options, from these sites:
If you would like to register with our services, please contact our team.
How we support you
With decades of experience in disability and employment services, Ability Options helps people build confidence, overcome barriers and reach their goals. Over the years we’ve supported thousands of jobseekers living with a disability, injury or health condition to become work ready. We’re trusted, local, and committed to inclusion — in the workplace and beyond.
Delivered in partnership with CoAct Connect, we combine national innovation with local knowledge, supporting jobseekers towards inclusive employment – from goal setting to job placement and beyond.
- We take time to understand your strengths and what matters to you
- We help you make a plan and connect you to training and support
- We guide your job search and help with resumes and interviews
- You’ll get access to online tools and resources
- We can support you to build your skills and confidence to get job-ready
- We stay with you once you’re working to ensure success in the workplace
You get to choose the Inclusive Employment Australia provider in your region that you want to work with. Register with CoAct Connect + Ability Options today.
