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NDIS (Easy Read)

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On this page, you will find Easy Read information about:

Click on the links you would like to read.

Work and the NDIS

Two women, one standing and one seated, engaged in an activity with manila envelopes at a table.

Some people with disability need extra support to work.

Person in a wheelchair holding a clipboard with a green check mark, smiling and giving a thumbs-up.

If you are on NDIS you may be able to get NDIS employment supports.

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NDIS employment supports can help you get the support you want and need at work.

A woman pointing to herself and smiling.

NDIS employment supports are just for you.

Four individuals standing in a row with various expressions and clothing styles.

You do not have to share your employment supports with other people.

Person thinking with a thought bubble with an image of five people wearing different work uniforms and the text 'What do YOU want?'

Having NDIS employment supports means you get to choose:

  • Your work goals
A woman using a wheelchair pointing to a woman on a banner that shows a man and a woman in professional attire.
  • Who supports you at work
Two women filling a form together with a green tick.
  • What your work supports help you with.

What can NDIS Employment Supports help me with?

Two men working together in a gardening center.

NDIS employment supports can help you find and keep a job.

Two cafe workers wearing aprons standing next to each other in a cafe with an NDIS logo and a green tick.

NDIS employment supports can help you get a job in open employment.

Man in suit extending hand for a handshake with 'Welcome to your new job' text in the background.

Open employment is when people with disability work in regular jobs.

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To learn more about open employment: https://www.everyonecanwork.org.au/thinking-about-work/what-is-open-employment-easy-read/

A group of people with disabilities standing together and smiling next to an NDIS logo.

The NDIS can support you to work in an Australian Disability Enterprise or ADE’s.

ADE’s are workplaces for people with disability who need extra support to work.

A florist arranging a bunch of flowers.

The NDIS can also support you to:

  • Start and run your own small business

This is called a microenterprise.

Five people wearing different uniforms for work.
  • Do extra work experience in high school
A man giving thumbs up wearing a racing helmet and dressed in protective clothing and a green arrow pointing to a mechanic dressed in overalls and giving thumbs up.
  • Find a job that suits you.

Employment goals

A boy with a red cross over his body standing next to a man with a green tick next to his body.

You must be 15 years or older to get employment supports in your NDIS plan.

Man in plaid shirt pointing upward with thought clouds and the word 'Goals'.

Before you ask for employment supports in your NDIS plan you should think about your goals.

Your goals can be:

  • Long term

or

  • Short term.
The word Work in a blue box above a blue 2025 calendar with a yellow arrow pointing to a blue 2035 calendar.

Long term means over the next few years.

Employee with an intellectual disability working at a Bakery Workshop

A long term goal could be to find and keep a job.

A green 2025 calendar

Short term means this year.

Five people wearing different uniforms for work.

A short term goal might be to learn what jobs you are interested in.

An image of a laptop computer with the word Click and a hand cursor icon.

For more information about learning what you are interested in: https://www.everyonecanwork.org.au/thinking-about-work/learning-what-you-are-interested-in-easy-read/

NDIS planning meeting

A diverse group of people sitting around a table having a meeting. On the table is a banner showing the NDIS logo.

You will need an NDIS planning meeting to add new goals to your plan.

A notebook with the word plan and a group of three people standing over a table with the NDIS logo on the front cover.

This is when you meet with an NDIS planner to talk about changes to your NDIS plan.

A green arrow in the shape of a circle around a diverse group of people sitting around a table having a meeting. On the table is a banner showing the NDIS logo.

You can ask to change your plan early if it is a long time until your next planning meeting.

A group of three women sitting behind a desk with the NDIS logo in the background.

If you want to change your plan early you should contact your:

  • Local Area Coordinator

or

  • NDIA planner.

Getting ready for your planning meeting

Two people thinking together. Inside the thought bubble is the word Goals and an image of a man pointing upwards.

Before your planning meeting you should:

  • Think about what kinds of employment supports you want
A woman holding a green marker and a checklist with green ticks.
  • Write down your employment goals.
Two women filling in a form together.

You can ask for help to do this from someone you trust.

For example a family member or support worker.

Two people sitting at a table, collaborating on a task with a piece of paper and a pen.

Advocates also support people with the NDIS.

To find an advocate go to

https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/legal/advocacy

A document with a list showing the numbers 1, 2 and 3 down the left-hand side.

When you go to your planning meeting you should take:

  • Your list of goals
A young woman holding a certificate.
  • Training certificates

Training certificates show you have finished a class or a training.

A document with the word Report at the top.
  • School reports
A man wearing a suit and looking at a blank piece of paper in his hand.
  • Any references you have.

A reference is a letter about you from someone who has worked with you.

What other employment supports can I get?

Inclusive Employment Australia is another support that can help you find and keep a job.

An image of a laptop computer with the word Click and a hand cursor icon.

To learn more about Inclusive Employment Australia:

https://www.everyonecanwork.org.au/employment-support/work-and-des-easy-read/

Five people wearing different uniforms for work.

The support you use depends on:

  • The kind of work you want
Person typing on a laptop with two clocks showing 9:00 and 5:00 in the background.
  • How many hours a week you can work
Two people collaborating at a workstation, one in a wheelchair using a computer mouse and the other writing on a notepad.
  • The support you need
Three people standing and smiling, with one person posing playfully.
  • How old you are.
A man's hands holding a banner showing two images, a school building with an arrow pointing to the word School, and a man making coffee at a coffee machine and an arrow pointing to the word Work.

For example NDIS Youth Employment Assistance helps young people move from high school to work.

An image of a laptop computer with the word Click and a hand cursor icon.

To find out more about using the NDIS for work go to:

https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/finding-keeping-and-changing-jobs/lets-talk-about-work

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