The Albanese Labor Government is investing up to $14.7 million into new employment pathways for people with intellectual disability and other high support needs.
The grants form the second round of investments under the Structural Adjustment Fund which aims to boost training and skills for people with high support needs, create and expand pathways to open employment and assist supported employment workplaces to better meet community expectations.
Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth said that many people with disability want to work but continue to face barriers to finding and maintaining sustainable employment.
"Employment rates for people with disability still fall well below the rates of employment for people without disability, and for those with higher needs the employment rate is shockingly low.
"Everyone deserves the opportunity to work, and our Government is committed to creating new and diverse employment pathways that support people with disability into work.
"As we reform the Disability Employment Services sector, it's vital that we continue to provide extra support for people with higher support needs so they also have the opportunity to find jobs that match not only their skills, but their goals."
In this round, applications for projects that support priority cohorts with disability with high support needs are encouraged, including:
- First Nations people;
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people;
- people in rural and remote areas; and
- people located in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The grants open today and registered NDIS providers can now apply through the GrantConnect website.
