Next Steps in Supported Employment: Consultation on the way forward

The Department of Social Services (the Department) has been consulting on the way forward for supported and open employment for people with disability.

This consultation is part of our ongoing commitment to improve employment outcomes for people with disability. The findings will also help us consider the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) Final Report in relation to employment for people with disability.

Supported Employment Consultation – Update

The Department has extended the Supported Employment consultation period to allow for further meaningful engagement into 2026.

What have we heard so far?

In March 2025 the Department released a discussion paper on Next steps in Supported Employment: Consultation on the way forward. The paper outlined the range of initiatives that were in progress to improve employment outcomes for people with disability, particularly those with high support needs.

The Discussion paper focused on what the priorities should be for the future, in response to recommendations on supported employment from the Disability Royal Commission.

Written submissions closed on 22 June 2025, however the Department accommodated extensions for many respondents to capture their contributions. In total 60 submissions were received.

Analysis of the submissions has identified the following emerging themes:

1. Value the lived experience of people with disability: Empower people with disability to make informed choices and co-design policies and services.
2. Improved pathways to inclusive jobs and access to mainstream employment: Maximise access to open, mainstream employment through redesigned school-to-work supports and career development supports, and government leadership.
3. A more integrated system of services, employment and income support: Ensure a seamless system linking employment options, income support, and services like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Job Access, and Services Australia.
4. Employers need support to evolve and be more financially viable: ADEs and other employers would benefit from support to become commercially robust and remain financially viable while they evolve to offer increasingly inclusive job settings.
5. Employer demand should be increased: Encourage mainstream employers to adopt inclusive practices and set public sector employment targets.
6. Mainstream workplace cultures need to support people better: Foster work environments that support people with disability to maintain work.
7. Opportunities for higher wages across all job settings: Ensure fair and equitable pay wherever possible.
8. New definitions and key terms to describe supported employment: Develop shared language consistent with international usage and new guidance for the sector.

Series of workshops

The second stage of focused consultation workshops and discussions with people with disability and their family representatives is currently underway. These workshops aim to validate findings, identify gaps and prioritise ideas and solutions.

Between 24 October 2025 and 26 November 2025, the Department held seven online workshops with a range of stakeholders, including supported employment providers, disability service providers, service provider peak bodies, disability representative organisation, advocacy organisations and people with lived experience group and broader disability sector.

Between December 2025 and 27 February 2026, there will be direct consultation with people with disability and lived experience to hear and understand their ideas on supported employment.

If you would like to engage with the Department in 2026, please reach out to the team at sepolicy@dss.gov.au.

Thank you for your support during this process.