NDIS Employment Supports: A Practical Guide for Participants

If you have an NDIS plan and want to find work, keep a job, or build skills for employment, there are funded supports that can help. Employment-related supports can be included in your plan under the "Finding and Keeping a Job" category, and they cover a wide range of practical help - from resume writing and job coaching through to supported employment in a specialised workplace. This guide explains what those supports look like, who pays for what, how to choose a provider, and what to watch out for along the way.

What are NDIS employment supports?

NDIS employment supports are funded activities and services that help participants with disability move into, or stay in, paid work. They are not a single service - they are a category of supports that can look quite different depending on your goals, your disability, and what stage of your working life you are at.

The NDIS groups most employment supports under a budget category called Finding and Keeping a Job (formerly known as Improved Living Arrangements in some older plans, though the employment-specific category has its own line). Within that category, you might access:

• Employment support services - one-on-one coaching, job searching assistance, interview preparation and on-the-job support once you are placed.
• School leaver employment supports (SLES) - a time-limited programme for young people transitioning from school to work or further study.
• Supported employment - ongoing support in a workplace that is specifically set up for people with disability, such as an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE).
• Customised employment - a newer approach where a specialist works with you to design a job role around your unique strengths, rather than fitting you into an existing vacancy.
• Skill-building activities - things like literacy and numeracy support, social skills training, or workplace readiness programmes that are directly linked to your employment goal.

It is worth knowing that the NDIS is not the only system funding employment support in Australia. The Australian Government also funds Disability Employment Services (DES), which is a separate programme run through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. DES is free to access and does not come out of your NDIS plan. Understanding how these two systems work together - and where they overlap - is one of the most important things you can do before you start.

Who pays for what? NDIS versus Disability Employment Services

This is the question that confuses most participants and families, so it is worth taking the time to get it right.

Disability Employment Services (DES)

DES is funded by the federal government and is available to eligible Australians with disability, injury or health conditions. It is completely separate from the NDIS. A DES provider can help you find a job, support you once you are employed, and work with your employer on workplace adjustments. Because DES is government-funded, it does not cost you anything and does not touch your NDIS plan.

If you are eligible for DES, this is usually the first port of call for job-finding support. You can register directly through the jobactive or Workforce Australia websites, or ask your support coordinator to help you get started.

What the NDIS funds

The NDIS steps in to fund supports that are related to your disability and that DES cannot or does not cover. Common examples include:

• Support workers or job coaches who help you manage disability-related challenges at work (for example, helping you navigate sensory issues in a new environment).
• SLES for school leavers who are not yet ready to engage with DES.
• Supported employment in an ADE, where ongoing funded support is part of the model.
• Capacity-building activities that are specifically tied to your disability and your employment goals.

The NDIS Pricing Arrangements set the rates for these supports, and your plan manager or support coordinator can help you understand how much you have available and how to use it. If you are self-managing your plan, you will need to keep records of how you spend your employment budget.

One important rule: the NDIS will not fund supports that are the responsibility of another government programme. So if DES can provide the job-finding support you need, the NDIS will generally not duplicate that funding. Your support coordinator can help you map out which system covers which part of your support needs.

If you are working with a support coordinator, the support coordinator workspace on OpenWay is designed to help coordinators shortlist providers, share options with participants, and track enquiries - all in one place.

How to choose an employment support provider

Choosing the right provider is one of the most consequential decisions you will make in this process. A good employment support provider does not just help you find a job - they understand your disability, respect your goals, and work at your pace.

Here is a practical checklist to guide your search:

1. Check their registration. If your plan is NDIA-managed, your provider must be registered with the NDIS Commission to deliver employment supports. If you are plan-managed or self-managing, you have more flexibility, but registration is still a useful quality signal.
2. Ask about their experience with your disability. Not all employment providers have experience across all disability types. Ask directly whether they have supported people with similar needs to yours.
3. Understand their approach. Do they take a supported employment approach, a customised employment approach, or something else? Ask them to explain their model in plain language.
4. Ask about their employer networks. A provider with strong relationships with local employers is more likely to find you a real job opportunity, not just a work experience placement.
5. Find out what happens after placement. Good employment support does not stop when you start a job. Ask how long they will support you once you are employed and what that looks like.
6. Check the service agreement. Before you sign anything, read the service agreement carefully. It should clearly state the supports being provided, the hours, the cost, and the cancellation policy.
7. Talk to more than one provider. You are not obligated to go with the first provider you speak to. Shopping around is not just allowed - it is encouraged.

You can browse NDIS employment support providers in your area on OpenWay, where provider profiles include service descriptions, locations and contact details to help you compare options.

What does a good employment support provider look like?

Beyond the checklist, there are some qualities that tend to separate effective employment support providers from the rest.

They listen first. A good provider will spend real time understanding your goals, your barriers, and your strengths before they suggest any particular pathway. Be cautious of any provider that seems to have a one-size-fits-all programme they want to slot you into.

They involve you in decisions. Your employment journey is yours. A good provider will explain their recommendations, give you options, and respect your right to say no or change direction.

They communicate with your team. If you have a support coordinator, a plan manager, or other allied health professionals involved in your life, a good employment provider will be willing to communicate with them and work as part of a broader team.

They are honest about timelines. Finding work takes time, especially when there are disability-related barriers involved. Be wary of providers who make vague promises about quick outcomes.

They understand the NDIS. Your provider should be able to clearly explain how their services will be funded from your plan, what the rates are, and how they will claim. If they are vague or evasive about this, that is a concern.

Red flags to watch for

Unfortunately, not every provider operates to a high standard. Here are some warning signs that should prompt you to ask more questions or look elsewhere.

• Pressure to sign quickly. A reputable provider will give you time to read the service agreement and ask questions. Anyone who rushes you into signing is a red flag.
• Vague service descriptions. If a provider cannot explain clearly what they will do, how often, and what outcomes they are working toward, that is a problem.
• No clear cancellation policy. The NDIS has rules about cancellation charges. Your service agreement must spell out the cancellation policy, and it must align with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements.
• Claiming for services not delivered. This is fraud. If you notice charges on your plan statement for sessions that did not happen, report it to the NDIS Commission immediately.
• Discouraging you from talking to other providers. You always have the right to get a second opinion or switch providers. A provider who discourages this is not acting in your interest.

For more on how to assess a provider's credibility, see what OpenWay's trust and safety approach means for participants.

Tips for families and carers supporting a participant

If you are a family member or carer supporting someone with disability through their employment journey, your role can make a real difference - but it is important to stay in your lane in a helpful way.

• Support the person to articulate their own goals, rather than speaking for them in provider meetings.
• Help with practical logistics like transport to appointments, but let the participant lead the conversation.
• Learn the basics of DES and NDIS employment supports so you can ask informed questions.
• If the participant has a support coordinator, stay in regular contact with them so everyone is working toward the same goals.

The participant and family information hub on OpenWay has more resources to help families understand the NDIS and navigate provider choices.

Frequently asked

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for a regular employment agency?

Not directly. The NDIS funds supports that are related to your disability and your capacity to work. A mainstream employment agency that does not provide disability-specific support is not typically fundable from your NDIS plan. However, if you are self-managing or plan-managed, you have more flexibility, and your support coordinator or plan manager can advise on what is reasonable and necessary in your situation.

What is the difference between SLES and DES?

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is an NDIS-funded programme specifically for young people who have recently left school and need time and support to build work-related skills before they are ready for open employment. Disability Employment Services (DES) is a separate federal government programme for people who are ready to look for work now. The two can work together - a young person might do SLES for one to two years and then transition into DES when they are ready.

Can I change my employment support provider if it is not working out?

Yes. You have the right to change providers at any time, subject to the notice period in your service agreement (typically two to four weeks). You do not need to give a reason. If you are having trouble exiting a service agreement, your support coordinator or the NDIS Commission can help.

How OpenWay can help

Finding the right employment support provider can feel overwhelming, especially when you are also navigating the NDIS, DES, and your own goals at the same time. OpenWay is a free-to-use marketplace where NDIS participants, families and support coordinators can browse provider profiles, compare services, and send enquiries - all without any obligation.

You can browse NDIS employment support providers across Australia and filter by location, service type and other criteria to build a shortlist that suits your situation. Provider profiles include service descriptions and contact details so you can reach out directly and ask the questions that matter to you.

OpenWay does not deliver supports, manage plan funds, or make decisions about your NDIS plan. It is simply a practical tool to help you find and compare providers so you can make informed choices.

OpenWay is not part of the NDIS, NDIA or NDIS Commission. Final scope, pricing, travel, cancellation rules and non-face-to-face charges must be confirmed in a written service agreement between the participant (or their authorised support person) and the provider.