Previous stakeholder engagement
Please note the following engagement activities that were conducted.
New Specialist Employment Disability Program Request for Tender
The New Specialist Disability Employment Program Request for Tender (RFT) was open from Monday 4 October 2024 to 12 noon (Canberra time) on Monday, 4 November 2024.
The Request for Tender is available on AusTender.
If you have any questions about the RFT process, contact DE2025Purchasing@dss.gov.au.
To support the release, the department held an Industry Briefing on the Tender (RFT) on Friday 11 October.
The briefing outlined key elements of the RFT and provided an overview of key changes from the Exposure Draft and procurement process.
Watch the Request for Tender Industry Briefing.
Read the Talking Points for the RFT Industry Briefing [PDF 428 kB] [Word 62 kB]
View the PowerPoint slides the RFT Industry Briefing [PDF 429 kB] [PPTX 397 kB]
All questions in relation to the RFT must be submitted DE2025Purchasing@dss.gov.au. Publication of responses to questions will be managed in accordance with the process outlined in the RFT.
National Panel of Assessors
The Exposure Draft of the Request for Tender (RFT) for the National Panel of Assessors (NPA) program closed on 27 September 2024.
- National Panel of Assessors RFT Exposure Draft [PDF 1.4 MB] [Word 261 kB]
- National Panel of Assessors RFT Exposure Draft – Easy Read [PDF 2.6 MB]
- National Panel of Assessors RFT Exposure Draft Companion Guide [PDF 182 kB] [Word 92 kB]
- National Panel of Assessors RFT Exposure Draft Companion Guide – Easy Read [PDF 1.7 MB]
- Appendix 3 ESA Maps [PDF 6.6 MB]
- FAQ – National Panel of Assessors Exposure Draft [PDF 372 kB] [Word 167 kB]
The department hosted a public briefing webinar for the National Panel of Assessors Exposure Draft on Friday 6 September 2024.
- Easy read version – National Panel of Assessors – Request for Tender Exposure Draft Webinar [PDF 228 kB]
- Watch the National Panel of Assessors Webinar recording
- National Panel of Assessors webinar – Transcript [PDF 382kB] [Word 284kB]
- National Panel of Assessors webinar – Talking Points [PDF 395kB] [Word 94kB]
- National Panel of Assessors webinar – Slides [PDF 690kB] [PPTX 380kB]
Draft Deed – National Panel of Assessors – consultation closed
National Panel of Assessors – Draft Deed [PDF 1.5 MB] [Word 359 kB]
Exposure Draft of the Request for Tender – consultation closed
- New Specialist Disability Employment Program RFT Exposure Draft [PDF 2.8 MB] [Word 465 kB]
- Easy Read version of New Specialist Disability Employment Program RFT Exposure Draft [PDF 2.6 MB]
- New Specialist Disability Employment Program RFT Exposure Draft Companion Guide [PDF 212 kB] [Word 89 kB]
- Easy Read version of New Specialist Disability Employment Program RFT Exposure Draft Companion Guide [PDF 2.7 MB]
- Appendix 3 ESA Maps [PDF 6.6 MB]
- Disability Employment Services Caseload and Commencement Data: DSS Disability Employment Services Caseload and Commencements Data (by ESA and Postcode) | Datasets | data.gov.au – beta
- Frequently Asked Questions [PDF 445 kB] [Word 168 kB]
- Please see these additional Q&A about the new program [PDF 383 kB] [Word 152 kB]
- New Specialist Disability Employment Program RFT – Webinar – Talking Points [PDF 380 kB] [Word 341 kB]
- New Specialist Disability Employment Program RFT – Webinar – Slides [PDF 227 kB] [PPTX 83 kB]
- Easy read version of the webinar invite [PDF 358 kB]
Draft Deed – new specialist disability employment program – consultation closed
- New Specialist Disability Employment Program – Draft Deed [PDF 3 MB] [Word 618 kB]
Market Structure Paper – consultation closed
- Information Paper – Market Structure [PDF 386 kB] | [Word 157 kB]
Payment Structure Paper – consultation closed
- Information Paper – Payment Model August 2024 [PDF 691 kB] | [Word 181 kB]
Ongoing Support Paper – consultation closed
- Information Paper – Ongoing Support [PDF 227 kB] [Word 177 kB]
Community Development Program (CDP) Provider Forum
The CDP Forum was held on 4 September 2024 in Adelaide.
During the conference the Department also provided a summary on DES Reforms.
- Copy of presentation by the Department of Social Services [PDF 613 kB] [Powerpoint 833 kB]
- Transcript of presentation by Jacinda Still [PDF 384 kB] [Word 152 kB]
- Frequently Asked Questions [PDF 338 kB] [Word 154 kB]
National Employment Services Association (NESA) — Leadership Forum
The NESA Leadership Forum was held on 30 July 2024 in Melbourne.
During the conference the Department also provided a summary on DES Reforms.
- Copy of presentation by the Department of Social Services [PDF 641 kB] [Powerpoint 2.5 MB]
- Transcript of presentation by Kellie Spence [PDF 386 kb] [Word 182 kB]
National Disability Services (NDS) Disability at Work Conference — Navigating the Future of Disability Employment
The NDS Disability at work conference was held on 23 and 24 July in Sydney.
During the conference, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP, presented on reforms to the disability employment system to support more Australians living with disability into work. The Department also provided a summary of reforms to Disability Employment.
- Copy of Minister Rishworth’s Speech [PDF 401 kb] [Word 151 kB]
- Copy of presentation by the Department of Social Services [PDF 627 kB] [Powerpoint 573 kB]
- Transcript of presentation by Kellie Spence [PDF 444 kb] [Word 154 kB]
National Employment Services Australia (NESA) Conference – Better Together, Connecting for First Nations Employment
The NESA National Conference on First Nations Employment was held in Cairns on 18 and 19 June 2024.
During the conference, the Department also provided a summary on DES Reforms.
- Copy of presentation by the Department of Social Services [PDF 617 kB] [Powerpoint 1 MB]
- Transcript of presentation by Kellie Spence [PDF 486 kB] [Word 161 kB]
Disability Employment Australia: Conference
The Disability Employment Australia (DEA) Conference was held 11-13 June 2024.
During the conference, Mr Julian Hill MP, presented on reforms to the disability employment system to support more Australians living with disability into work. The Department also provided a summary on DES Reforms.
- Copy of Julian Hill speech [PDF 415 kB] [Word 152 kB]
- Copy of presentation by the Department of Social Services [PDF 936 kB] [Word 146 kB] [Powerpoint 2.8 MB]
- Transcript of presentation by Kellie Spence [PDF 363 kB] [Word 154 kB]
2024-25 Budget – Disability Employment Reforms – Post-budget briefing event (Closed)
On 23 May 2024, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, and the Department of Social Services held a live event providing details on the Disability Employment Reforms announced in the 2024-25 Budget.
Details, including a recording of the event, copies of the slides and transcripts are available via DSS Engage.
- 2024-25 Budget Disability Employment Reform event – Sydney and online – 23 May 2025 1:30pm to 4:30pm (AEST)