Finding work in Sydney as a person with disability looks different to the standard job-search path, but the practical question for most people is the same. Where do I start, who actually helps, and what does the support cost?
This guide pulls together the three main pathways available in Australia, the local resources we point Sydney participants toward most often, and the questions worth asking before signing up with any provider. It is written for adults exploring work for the first time, people returning to employment after a break, parents and carers supporting someone through the process, and Support Coordinators looking for a plain-English summary to share with participants.
None of what follows is personal advice. Your individual situation, NDIS plan, and goals matter, and a Support Coordinator or planner can work through the details with you. This is the practical landscape.
The three main employment pathways in Australia
Three separate programs exist for adults with disability looking to find or keep work. They are funded differently, run by different organisations, and suit different situations.
- NDIS Employment Capacity Building, funded through your NDIS plan. Helps you build skills, confidence, and readiness for work.
- Disability Employment Services (DES), funded by the Australian Government separately from the NDIS. Helps you actually find and keep a job once you are work-ready.
- School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), funded through the NDIS for people aged 16 to 22 transitioning from school to work.
Most participants engage with two of these at different points. SLES first if you are leaving school, then DES once you are ready to job-hunt actively, sometimes alongside NDIS Employment Capacity Building if you need ongoing skill development. Knowing which program covers what saves you weeks of being passed between providers who can’t help.
NDIS Employment Capacity Building: what it funds and who it suits
Employment Capacity Building sits under the Capacity Building section of your NDIS plan. It funds activities that help you prepare for work, not the actual job placement.
What the funding typically covers:
- One-on-one employment counselling and goal setting
- Workplace skills training (communication, time management, workplace behaviour)
- Job exploration sessions to identify what kind of work suits your strengths and interests
- Pre-employment assessments and reports for DES providers
- Travel training, so you can independently get to a workplace
- Workplace adjustment planning, working with potential employers on accommodations
What it does not fund: the actual job placement, ongoing on-the-job support once you start, or any program already covered by DES.
Who it suits: NDIS participants whose disability creates substantial pre-employment barriers. People who need to build workplace stamina, communication skills, or routines before they can sustain regular work. Many participants use it for 6 to 18 months before transitioning to DES for the actual job search.
Disability Employment Services (DES): the job-finding program
DES is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, not the NDIS. It is a separate program with its own eligibility rules, providers, and processes.
DES has two streams:
Disability Management Service (DMS) suits people with disability, injury, or health conditions who can usually work without ongoing on-the-job support. The DMS provider helps you find suitable work, prepares you for interviews, and offers some workplace support during the first months.
Employment Support Service (ESS) suits people who need ongoing on-the-job support to maintain employment, sometimes long-term. The ESS provider can fund a Job Coach who works alongside you in the workplace as long as that support is needed.
Eligibility is assessed through Centrelink. The Employment Services Assessment looks at your work capacity, the support you need, and which stream fits. If you are an NDIS participant, your DES eligibility usually flows from your NDIS plan documentation.
You choose your DES provider. There is no fee for the participant. DES providers are paid by the Government for placing and supporting people, which means provider quality varies. The published outcome rates on the Workforce Australia website are worth checking before committing.
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES): the 16 to 22 pathway
SLES is specifically for NDIS participants in their final years of school or recently school-leavers, typically aged 16 to 22. It bridges the gap between Year 12 and either DES, open employment, or further training.
Typical SLES activities include work experience placements, employability skills training, money management, transport training, and structured work readiness programs. SLES providers run group programs alongside individual support, and most placements run for 1 to 2 years.
SLES funding sits in the NDIS plan under Capacity Building. It is meant as a transitional support, not a long-term one. Around 80 percent of SLES participants move into either open employment, DES, or further study within 24 months of finishing the program.
If you are a parent or carer supporting someone in Year 11 or 12 with a disability, talk to the school’s Transition Coordinator and your NDIS planner about SLES at least 12 months before school finishes. The planning takes time and good placements fill quickly.
Sydney-specific resources for finding work
The national programs above are delivered through local providers across Sydney. A handful of additional Sydney-specific resources are worth knowing about.
JobAccess, the Australian Government’s central information service, runs an Employment Assistance Fund that pays for workplace modifications, adaptive equipment, and Auslan interpreters when you start a job. Most employers and employees do not know this exists. It can fund things like screen-reader software, ergonomic chairs, or building modifications. JobAccess will help you and your employer make the application.
Aspect Australia runs autism-specific employment support across Sydney with strong programs in Frenchs Forest, Macquarie Park, and Liverpool. Their work focuses on matching autistic adults with roles that suit cognitive strengths, often in technology, data, and quality assurance.
Northcott runs DES services across Sydney with offices in Parramatta, Penrith, and Bankstown. They have particularly strong employer relationships in retail, hospitality, administration, and warehousing.
The City of Sydney and Inner West Council both run inclusive employer programs and maintain lists of local businesses actively hiring people with disability. Worth asking your local council’s Community Development team for the current list.
NDIS Employment Communities of Practice meet monthly across the inner-west, Western Sydney, and South-West Sydney regions. These are free, drop-in sessions for participants, families, and providers to share practical job-search experiences. The NDIS Local Area Coordinator in your suburb will know the next session date.
What to ask before signing up with any provider
Provider quality varies widely across both NDIS Employment Capacity Building and DES. Five questions to ask before you commit:
- What is your published placement and 26-week retention rate for participants like me? A reputable provider will share this. Workforce Australia also publishes DES provider performance ratings, so cross-check what they tell you.
- Who will be my Employment Consultant, and how long have they been in this role? Turnover in this sector is high. Continuity of relationship is a strong predictor of outcomes.
- What industries do you have active employer relationships with right now? Generic answers like “across many industries” are a warning sign. Specific named employers in named suburbs suggest the provider actually has placement networks.
- What happens if my job doesn’t work out in the first six months? Both DES streams include post-placement support. Ask exactly what that looks like in practice. Some providers stay actively engaged; others close your file at week one.
- How do you handle disagreements with the employer? If a workplace adjustment isn’t being honoured or a manager is acting unfairly, does the provider advocate for you or hand the problem back? The answer tells you whose side they are on.
Common challenges and practical responses
A few patterns come up repeatedly in conversations with Sydney participants exploring work.
“My family is worried I’ll lose my Disability Support Pension if I work.” The DSP rules allow earnings up to a threshold without losing the pension entirely, and Centrelink’s Pension Income Test gradually reduces the pension as earnings rise. Most participants who start working keep at least partial DSP, and the Working Credit scheme protects payments while you get established. A Centrelink Financial Information Service appointment is free and covers your specific situation.
“I’ve had bad experiences with previous DES providers.” You can change DES provider at any time without affecting your eligibility. Workforce Australia has a published process. If you’ve felt unheard or pushed into unsuitable roles, that is grounds to switch. Some Sydney participants on their third or fourth provider have found the right fit by being clear about what they expect from the relationship up front.
“I don’t know what kind of work I’d be good at.” Vocational assessments funded through NDIS Employment Capacity Building can help. So can work experience days, even unpaid, through SLES or community programs. Many people only discover what works by trying things. Allow yourself permission to test and change direction.
“Employers won’t take me seriously.” Workplace bias is real, and confidence after multiple rejections takes a hit. Two things help: routing applications through DES providers with named employer relationships rather than cold-applying online, and applying to employers who participate in the Australian Network on Disability’s Stepping Into internship program or the Disability Confident Recruiter scheme. These employers have explicitly signed up to inclusive hiring.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have NDIS Employment Capacity Building and DES at the same time?
Yes, in many cases. The NDIS funds the capacity building (pre-employment skill development); DES funds the job search and placement. The two are designed to complement each other. Your Support Coordinator can liaise with both providers to avoid duplication.
How much does it cost to use NDIS Employment Capacity Building?
Nothing out of pocket. The funding sits in your NDIS plan and is paid directly to the provider at the published NDIS Pricing Arrangements rates. You don’t see an invoice. If your provider asks you for additional payment, raise it with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
What if my NDIS plan doesn’t include Employment funding?
If employment is a goal in your plan but no funding is allocated, you can request a plan review specifically to address employment supports. Your Support Coordinator can help prepare the request, including evidence of why the funding is needed (e.g. a vocational assessment, a goal statement, or a quote from a potential provider).
Is DES only for people who are unemployed?
No. DES can also help you keep an existing job through the Employment Support Service stream, including post-placement support, workplace adjustments, and Job Coach hours. If you are at risk of losing a job because of disability-related challenges, DES can intervene.
Can I work part-time and still receive NDIS supports?
Yes. NDIS funding is based on the disability-related supports you need, not your income. Working does not reduce or remove your NDIS plan. The two funding systems operate independently.
What if I’m not sure I’m ready for work but want to start exploring?
Start with NDIS Employment Capacity Building. The early sessions focus on goal-setting and self-assessment, with no pressure to commit to a specific timeline. Many participants spend 3 to 6 months in exploration before deciding what direction to go.
Where to start from here
If you are an NDIS participant or family member at the start of this process, three practical first steps:
- Add “explore employment options” or a more specific employment goal to your next NDIS plan review, so funding is allocated.
- Book a Centrelink Employment Services Assessment, which determines DES eligibility and the stream that fits.
- Talk to your Support Coordinator about provider options in your suburb. Quality varies significantly between providers, and local knowledge matters.
If you are working with a Support Coordinator already or considering one, SADC delivers Support Coordination across Greater Sydney, including help with employment planning, provider selection, and the practical paperwork of moving between NDIS Employment Capacity Building, SLES, and DES. We can talk through what your specific situation looks like.
This article provides general information about employment pathways for people with disability in Australia. For your individual situation, consult your NDIS Support Coordinator, a registered Disability Employment Services provider, or contact the NDIA directly via ndis.gov.au.
Last reviewed: May 2026. Author: SADC Disability Services team. SADC is a registered NDIS provider operating across Greater Sydney from our Riverwood head office.