A record number of people with disability are receiving assistance to help them find and keep a job, thanks to the Australian Government’s historic decision to uncap Disability Employment Services (DES). 

Minister for Employment Bill Shorten today visited Adelaide’s Export Park Child Care Centre and Kindergarten, which provides a supportive work environment for employees with disability.

Export Park is one of many organisations that employ people with disability. They have recently employed a person with a learning disability who is supported by DES provider Personnel Employment.

“Export Park is a great example of a business that is helping people with disability to join the workforce, earn a decent wage and enjoy the self-respect that comes with employment,” Mr Shorten said.

“The latest figures show that uncapping DES is delivering greater workforce participation, extending the benefits and dignity of work to more Australians.

“More than 97,000 people have been placed into employment through DES in the past two years, and more than 148,000 people are now being serviced by DES providers nationally – a 43 per cent increase since the system began.”

The Government is investing more than $3 billion in Disability Employment Services over the next four years, including new expanded wage subsidy programs and access to employment-related mentoring services.

More generous rules will also make work more attractive for job seekers with disability, allowing people on the disability support pension to work more hours without having their payment suspended or cancelled.

The measures are part of the Government’s Building Australia’s Future Workforce package to deliver skills and education to more Australians.

The package includes an investment of up to $10 million from the National Workforce Development Fund in early childhood workforce training, creating up to 2000 extra training places.

“We have a long standing record of commitment to reform and investment in improving the opportunities for people with disability to find work,” Mr Shorten said.

“It is a record we will continue to build upon.”

For more information on Disability Employment Services, visit: www.deewr.gov.au/des

Details of the Building Australia’s Future Workforce package are available at: www.deewr.gov.au/skills