The Albanese Labor Government continues to deliver on its commitment to create an inclusive labour market where everyone has the opportunity to work.
Australians with disability who can and want to work will benefit from our $14.6 million boost to support the evolution of the supported employment sector.
Supported employment is a type of job for people with disability who need substantial ongoing support to get or keep a job, and they receive extra support while at work. About 16,000 Australians with disability currently participate in supported employment.
Thirty-three organisations will receive grants in round 2 of the $29.5 million Structural Adjustment Fund. They'll deliver projects that increase the range of job opportunities and pathways into open employment for people with disability with high support needs.
Minister for Social Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Amanda Rishworth, said people with disability had the right to meaningful work and training, and this investment would ensure the sector continues to evolve to meet individual needs.
"We understand that most people with disability want to work but unfortunately face many barriers to finding and maintaining suitable employment," Minister Rishworth said.
"Boosting disability employment and opening more opportunities for people with disability who can and want to work, is high on the Albanese Labor Government's agenda.
"Funding under this grant round will be delivered across various locations around Australia, ensuring people with high support needs can reap both the social and economic benefits that employment can provide."
The Minister today visited Cultivate Food and Beverage in Adelaide, a social enterprise offering open employment in food manufacturing for people with barriers to work. Cultivate is backed by Bedford - a round 2 funding recipient that will deliver the Bedford Rangers program. It will build on a trial they delivered with RM Williams to host employment in mainstream workplaces with an employment coach and create individualised pathways to open employment for supported employees.
The Structural Adjustment Fund boosts training and skills for people with disability, creates and expands pathways to open employment and broadens social enterprise offerings. It aims to create employment pathways and opportunities for people with intellectual disability and other high support needs by investing in the supported employment sector.
The Structural Adjustment Fund complements the Government's new specialist disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia. Replacing the current Disability Employment Services program, Inclusive Employment Australia recognises that people with disability may be at different stages of their employment journey - and that a one size fits all approach doesn't work.
Learnings from the Structural Adjustment Funds projects will also be shared with the sector through the new Centre for Inclusive Employment. Previously known as the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence, the Centre will be an evidence-informed, best-practice hub that provides resources, tools, and training to help providers deliver quality employment services for people with disability.
"Inclusive Employment Australia and Centre for Inclusive Employment align with the Government's vision of a more inclusive future, where people with disability, as well as those with injuries or health conditions, can get the support they need to find work and progress in their careers," Minister Rishworth said.
