Latest reforms boost funding for disability employment assistance

Promoting participation to address disadvantage

The Government is providing more opportunities for people facing disadvantage to participate in work and education. Increased funding for disability services will lead to better employment outcomes for people with disabilities, and more assistance for parents of children with special needs.

People with disabilities and their carers face special challenges. Participating in the workforce is particularly challenging. The Government is providing additional funding of $186 million over four years to assist those with disabilities and their families to participate in the workforce.

Employment assistance for people with disabilities

This includes $135 million over four years to improve services to people with disabilities who are seeking work. From 1 July 2004, funding for disability employment service providers will change from block grants to case–based funding, so service providers will be paid according to their clients' needs, the services provided and outcomes achieved. This will result in improved employment outcomes for around 6,000 new job seekers over four years.

An additional $25 million will be provided to assist business services which provide employment to people with disabilities, to improve business viability while meeting higher standards for employee working conditions and productivity–based wages, as quality assurance legislation will require by December 2004. Currently, these business services provide employment to 17,000 people with moderate to severe disabilities.

Children with special needs

An additional $26 million over four years will help child care services employ additional carers to support children with special needs, assisting around 1,250 families a year. More parents of young children with special needs, including disabilities, will be assisted so that they can undertake work or study knowing that their children are in a quality child care service.