For employers and colleagues
When you need to employ someone, the main priority is to have the right person for the job and that may be someone with disability. People with disability—just like all employees—bring a range of skills and abilities to the workplace, and can strengthen your business through a more diverse, inclusive and stable workforce.
With the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme there will be more opportunities for people with disability to participate in work.
Benefits of employing people with disability or mental illness
There are many benefits to employing people with disability or mental illness. For an individual, it can help to give a sense of confidence and purpose, as well as a sense of being involved and connected with the community. For an employer, it can help to bring a person with unique skills, abilities and talents into the organisation; it can also have positive effects on productivity and team morale.
The Australian Network on Disability details the many business benefits of employing people with disability.
Recruiting people with disability
The Australian Government funds a network of disability employment service providers who offer free recruitment services to employ a person with disability, including:
- professional recruitment advice
- a ready candidate pool
- help with job design
- developing job descriptions
- training and awareness-raising activities for employers, managers and co-workers
- on the job training and support for employees with disability
- ongoing support in the workplace
- help with access to financial support and incentives.
Find a disability employment service near your business.
Financial assistance
When employing a person with disability, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Learn more about the financial support available on the JobAccess website.
Legal responsibilities and rights
Under equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws, employers are required to create a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against people due to their disability.* The term 'disability' covers mental illness.
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) administers the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Information is available for employers about:
- disability discrimination legislation and employment
- understanding reasonable adjustments
- the 'inherit requirements' of a job and discrimination claims
- privacy and disclosure
- Commonwealth industrial law
- occupational health and safety
in the AHRC's guide:
You can contact the AHRC on 1300 656 419 or TTY 1800 620 241.
You can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman on 13 13 94 for more information about workplace rights and obligations, wages, awards, trading hours and holiday entitlements.
Review of legislation
The Australian Government is currently reviewing federal discrimination law, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, with the aim of consolidating existing Commonwealth anti-discrimination law into a single Act.
Additional information about this review is available on the Attorney-General's Department website. You can also contact the Attorney-General's Department on (02) 6141 6666 or email humanrights@ag.gov.au for more information.
More information
For comprehensive information and resources on employing a person with disability, visit the JobAccess website, or call 1800 464 800.