Employment Support across Australia: what's actually available
Australia has a network of over 8,471 active NDIS providers offering employment support services. These providers are spread across every state and territory, with the highest concentrations in New South Wales (2,483), Victoria (1,799) and Queensland (1,242). Local hubs are also prominent, with suburbs like Liverpool and Blacktown in NSW having some of the highest numbers of local listings.
This national footprint means specialised help is available close to home, from providers like Ability WA - Coolbinia Hub in Western Australia, which offers a wide range of registered services. Whether you're seeking job readiness training, help with applications, or ongoing workplace support, these services are designed to build your capacity for meaningful work.
What participants typically look for
Participants and their families generally seek support that is tailored to individual goals and local opportunities. The focus is on building practical skills and confidence for the workplace.
- Job readiness skills: Training in areas like interview preparation, resume writing, and workplace communication.
- Job search assistance: Help with finding suitable vacancies, understanding job ads, and preparing applications.
- On-the-job support: Assistance in the initial stages of a new role to help with learning tasks and settling in.
- Career pathway planning: Guidance to identify long-term employment goals and the steps needed to achieve them.
How to compare employment support providers
- Check their specialisation: Some providers focus on specific industries or types of support, like school leaver programs or supported employment.
- Review their local connections: Providers with strong links to local businesses may have better insight into upcoming job opportunities in your area.
- Ask about their approach: Understand how they tailor support to individual goals and how they involve participants in planning.
- Confirm service alignment: Ensure the specific supports you need (e.g., travel training, workplace assessments) are clearly listed in their registrations.
- Consider participant feedback: Look for reviews or testimonials that speak to the provider's effectiveness and communication style.
How a Plan Manager helps with employment support
Employment supports often involve a mix of Capacity Building funding for training and Core funding for related items like transport or assistive technology. The Plan Manager featured on this page, MyMoney, helps by keeping these different budget categories separate and accurately tracked, ensuring your employment goals are funded correctly.
They handle all provider invoices and payments, giving you the flexibility to use both registered and unregistered employment services. This can be particularly useful for finding local trainers or coaches not registered with the NDIS. You can talk to a Plan Manager via the panel on this page.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'employment support' include under the NDIS?
It covers services that help you prepare for, find, and keep a job. This can include skills training, job search help, resume writing, interview practice, and support for you and your employer when you start work.
Can a Plan Manager help with employment support budgets?
Yes. A Plan Manager pays your providers and helps you track spending across your plan. This is helpful as employment support often uses both Capacity Building and Core budgets, for example, combining a training course with travel costs.
How do I find a local employment support provider?
You can search by your suburb or region on directories like this one. It's also beneficial to look for providers with strong local networks, such as Upwards Living — All HomeCaring in Wahroonga, NSW, as they may have connections to local job opportunities.