The Australian Government is replacing Disability Employment Services (DES) with a new program called Inclusive Employment Australia.

This change is happening because people told the government they wanted a service that is more flexible, more personalised, and easier to access.

It replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) program on 1 November 2025. 

Inclusive Employment Australia is a national initiative that helps people with disability, injury, or health conditions find and keep meaningful work.  

Inclusive Employment Australia will: 

• deliver participant focused employment services 
• increase flexibility and tailoring of supports 
• broaden eligibility to include more jobseekers 
• have a strong focus on quality service delivery 
• increase wage subsidies to support the creation of employment opportunities.
   

Anyone with a disability, injury, or health condition who meets eligibility for Inclusive Employment Australia.  

More people will be able to access support from 1 November 2025. All current participants will receive continued services in the new program. In addition, the Inclusive Employment Australia program will expand eligibility to include people who have an assessed future work capacity of less than 8 hours per week, as well as those who do not receive an income support payment.
 

No - there's absolutely no cost for job seekers.

All support provided through Inclusive Employment Australia is completely free. This includes help with job searching, training, workplace preparation, employer introductions, on-the-job support, and anything else you need along the way.

Our services are funded by the Australian Government, so you'll never be asked to pay for support, no matter your situation.

If you have questions about what's included or how to get started, we're here to help.

Yes! You have full choice and control over who provides your supports, as outlined by the Department of Social Services - Participant Choice and How to Guide. If you would like to continue receiving support from Mylestones Employment, let your Client Coordinator know and we'll guide you through the process. This will ensure your services continue with us without interruption.

No. We support people in metro, regional, and rural areas, from Outer North Brisbane to Townsville, Ipswich, Logan, Fraser Coast, and beyond. You can view our list of locations here.

Yes. You'll have a dedicated Client Coordinator who will work closely with you to develop a plan. 

They will then work with the broader Mylestones Employment team to approach employers on your behalf, and when you are successful in starting work, our support officers will be there to ensure you have everything you need.
 

• Disability Management Service (DMS) supports job seekers who have a disability, illness or injury that need assistance to find employment and require occasional support to keep their job. 

• Employment Service Support (ESS) assists job seekers with a permanent disability who need regular and ongoing support in the workplace. 

That is not a problem – everyone has to start somewhere. We can support with training, skill-building, and work experience to get you ready.
 
We have partnerships with training providers, to help get you the skills and experience you need. We can also arrange job trials, workplace tours and observational work experience opportunities, so that you can explore a range of opportunities.
 

Yes. We can explore your interests and help you find work in a new field.

We work with employers to help find a range of work types that suit you, from full time, casual, part time and roles with flexible conditions. We can help negotiate what suits you best.

Yes. We provide ongoing support to make sure you feel comfortable and settled. This support can be at your workplace, within in the community, on the phone or at one of our many office locations. The choice is yours.

We'll ensure you are being paid correctly, and that you know where to go for help and support.
 

We can arrange workplace adjustments so you can work safely and confidently. We have arranged building modifications to workplaces to make things more accessible, from ramps and automatic doorways. We can assist with assistive technology solutions including braille printers, joysticks or mouse alternatives and headsets assistive technology and communication devices – such as a hearing loop system, touch screen, or screen reading software. 

Each individual has different needs. We work with JobAccess and your employer to arrange an assessment to identify what changes are needed to help you work safely and confidently.
 

Yes. We'll help you with applications, resumes and interview practice. We can assist with transport to your interview, and if appropriate, we can attend the interview with you.

In some cases, we will speak with employers to adapt their recruitment methods, to accommodate your needs.
 

We'll take things at your pace, providing encouragement and guidance along the way.

It’s normal to feel nervous about starting a new job. We’ll support you at your pace, from helping you figure out transport, travelling with you to work, to meeting you on your first day.

Our team will check in regularly to make sure you feel confident, settled, and supported every step of the way.
 

Yes, we can match you to roles and employers with your local community. We will help you know the best transport options, and identify where the best jobs for you are located.

The good news is that eligibility is broader and more flexible under Inclusive Employment Australia. If you're looking for work and feel you need a bit of extra support to get there, you may be eligible.

Inclusive Employment Australia is designed for people who:

• Have a disability, illness or long-term health condition, or
• Face challenges that make finding and keeping a job a little harder (things like confidence, experience, transport, or personal circumstances)

You don't need to have everything figured out. If you're unsure whether you qualify, that's completely okay - we can help you check your eligibility and guide you through the next steps.

Just reach out to the Mylestones team, have a chat about your goals, and we'll walk you through it in a way that's simple and stress-free.

An Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) or Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) is a conversation with a Centrelink assessor that helps work out the type of support that's right for you. It's not a test - it's simply a chance to talk about your health, your goals, and how many hours you feel able to work.

The assessor will look at things like:

• your strengths and work interests
• any disability, injury or health condition you're managing
• what kind of employment support will suit your needs
• how many hours of work you can safely and comfortably do

For most people, a current ESAt or JCA is still required to join Inclusive Employment Australia. It helps ensure you're placed in the right program and receive the right level of support from day one.

If you're not sure whether you need one - or if you'd like help arranging your assessment - the Mylestones team is here to guide you through the whole process. Just give us a call on 1300 635 627 and we'll make it easy.

Through the Inclusive Employment Australia program, eligible people with a disability, injury or mental health condition can receive help to prepare for, find and keep a job. Once you sign up with Mylestones, one of our dedicated job development officers will get to know you and your goals. 

Our services are tailored to your needs, but support can include: 

• Career advice and goal setting 

• Resume and interview preparation 

• Training and skill development opportunities 

• On-the-job support 

• Matching with suitable employers 

• Advice and implementation of workplace modifications 

Joining Inclusive Employment Australia is simple, and we’re here to support you through each step:

1. Contact Mylestones – Have a friendly chat with our team about your goals and the support you’re looking for.
2. Check your eligibility – We’ll help you understand whether you meet the program requirements.
3. Complete an ESAt or JCA (if needed) – Most people will need an assessment to determine the right level of support. We can help you organise this.
4. Choose Mylestones as your provider – We’ll guide you through the registration process.
5. Meet your consultant and create your plan – Together, you’ll build a personalised employment plan and start working towards your goals.

If you need help at any stage, the Mylestones team is here to make the process easy.

No, Mylestones also provides support to job seekers who have injuries or mental health conditions to find and keep a job.

Absolutely – we will only go at the pace you are comfortable with. This could mean starting with some training and skill development before beginning your job search.

Once you have found a job, we can help you access workplace modifications like equipment and aids, as well as provide education, training, and on-the-job support.

The School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) program is designed to help you transition from school to work. The Mylestones team will work with you to discover your career goals and ambitions and help you develop a plan for how to get there. 

While SLES is typically for year 12 students, supports can be considered for any student looking to transition into the workforce, even if they are two years out of school. 

Deciding whether to disclose your disability or health condition to your colleagues is completely your choice. If you choose to do so, we can support you to communicate the information you decide to share.

If you are currently with a different provider and would like to make the switch to Mylestones, simply call our team on 1300 635 627.