Work and the NDIS (Easy Read)
About this document
This Easy Read document is about work and the NDIS.
Hard words are in bold.
We explain what they mean.
It is a good idea to read this document with support.
For more information about work and the NDIS:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/finding-keeping-and-changing-jobs
Work and the NDIS
Some people with disability need extra support to work.
If you are on NDIS you may be able to get NDIS employment supports.
NDIS employment supports can help you get the support you want and need at work.
NDIS employment supports are just for you.
You do not have to share your employment supports with other people.
Having NDIS employment supports means you get to choose:
- Your work goals
- Who supports you at work
- What your work supports help you with.
What can NDIS Employment Supports help me with?
NDIS employment supports can help you find and keep a job.
NDIS employment supports can help you get a job in open employment.
Open employment is when people with disability work in regular jobs.
To learn more about open employment:
https://www.everyonecanwork.org.au/thinking-about-work/what-is-open-employment-easy-read/
The NDIS can support you to work in an Australian Disability Enterprise or ADEs.
ADEs are workplaces for people with disability who need extra support to work.
The NDIS can also support you to:
- Start and run your own small business
This is called a microenterprise.
- Do extra work experience in high school
- Find a job that suits you.
Employment goals
You must be 15 years or older to get employment supports in your NDIS plan.
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.
Long term means over the next few years.
A long term goal could be to find and keep a job.
Short term means this year.
A short term goal might be to learn what jobs you are interested in.
For more information about learning what you are interested in:
NDIS planning meeting
You will need an NDIS planning meeting to add new goals to your plan.
This is when you meet with an NDIS planner to talk about changes to your NDIS plan.
You can ask to change your plan early if it is a long time until your next planning meeting.
If you want to change your plan early you should contact your:
- Local Area Coordinator or
- NDIA planner.
Getting ready for your planning meeting
Before your planning meeting you should:
- Think about what kinds of employment supports you want
- Write down your employment goals.
You can ask for help to do this from someone you trust.
For example a family member or support worker.
Advocates also support people with the NDIS.
To find an advocate go to:
When you go to your planning meeting you should take:
- Your list of goals
- Training certificates
Training certificates show you have finished a class or a training.
- School reports
- 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.
Inclusive Employment Australia is the new name for Disability Employment Services or DES.
To learn more about Inclusive Employment Australia:
https://www.everyonecanwork.org.au/employment-support/work-and-des-easy-read/
The support you use depends on:
- The kind of work you want
- How many hours a week you can work
- The support you need
- How old you are.
For example NDIS Youth Employment Assistance helps young people move from high school to work.
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