NDIS
If you're new to this and just want to know what the NDIS is all about, check out this video and give us a call. We're here for you every step of the way and want to see you reach your full potential. What can you achieve with Castle?
Castle will listen to you and work with you to make sure you get the most out of your NDIS journey.
- We offer teams that provide you with hands-on experience learning real-life skills. This gives you the opportunity to gain confidence in making friends, communicating with co-workers and confidence to live your life.
- Castle provides support and training that helps you to learn how to live independently, do jobs around the home, read timetables and catch public transport, plan, prepare and cook meals and make smart decisions when shopping.
- We can prepare you for work through training, then help you find and keep a job. We offer ongoing support in your new role to make sure you're needs are respected.
- Castle will support you to do more of what you want to do. Maybe its music, creative arts or going to the gym. We offer a variety of group activities, both indoors and outdoors and a monthly activity calendar with special events that will let you enjoy your hobbies and interests with others.
At Castle will give you the support and confidence you need to communicate with us. We take the time to listen to your needs and are flexible when your goals change. This is your journey and we will make sure you have access to the funding and resources you need to get the most out of your NDIS plan.
Your NDIS provider is YOUR CHOICE. They are there to support you in your journey and make sure you have access to the resources you need to achieve your goals. Every provider is different so it's important to consider what YOU want to achieve before choosing your support team. If you are an NDIS participant you can use the Provider Finder in the myplace portal where you are able to search and filter the provider lists.
'Mental health condition’, ‘mental illness’, 'psychosocial disability' and other terms, are used to describe a range of disorders that can affect thoughts, emotions and behaviours, that vary in both severity and duration. These conditions can include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance use, schizophrenia and many others.
While some people may not be significantly impacted in their daily lives, others may face severe challenges in functioning within the community, at home, and in the workplace. When a mental health condition severely affects a person's daily life, self-care and community participation, it may be considered a 'psychosocial disability'.
Whilst labels like 'disability' may not be relevant to some people's experience, it is important to understand the distinctions with which conditions can unlock vital financial support schemes.
Disability Employment Services
If you live with anxiety, depression or another mental health condition you may be eligible for our Disability Employment Services (DES). You don't necessarily need to be diagnosed with a 'psychosocial disability', only that your mental health condition affects your capacity to work in some way. This can be verified by a treating medical practitioner through this Centrelink form.
NDIS Services
If a person's mental health condition is considered a 'psychosocial disability', they may be eligible for NDIS support, however, a diagnosis of a condition in itself is not enough. In order to be eligible for funding through the NDIS, a psychosocial disability assessment must be carried out.
Job seeker
Disability Employment Services (DES) will allow you to choose a provider who will help you find work and support you in your new role. It is a government-funded scheme designed to ensure every Australian has the opportunity to work.
If you’re looking for work, a DES provider can help you; Get ready to work, train you in specific job skills, write your resumé, train in interview skills, look for jobs that suit you.
If you have a job, a DES provider can help you with; On-the-job training, speaking to your boss and co-workers, ongoing support in your job, modifying your workplace, Auslan at work.
Jobseekers are generally eligible for DES if they:
- Have a disability, injury or health condition
- Are aged at least 14 but have not yet attained the Age Pension qualifying age
- Are at or above the minimum legal working age in their state or territory
- Are an Australian resident or eligible Visa holder
- Are not studying full time
- Have a valid Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) or Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) recommending DES with a Future Work Capacity of eight or more hours per week;
- Are not working at or above their assessed work capacity
For more information, visit jobaccess
The DES program gives you flexibility and choice in the services that you receive including your preferred provider. At your initial Centrelink appointment, you will have an opportunity to review providers in their area and can choose the provider that best meets your needs.
We also encourage you to compare local providers on JobSearch to make sure you pick the best fit for you.
You can choose almost any provider, even if the provider is not in your immediate area (as long as you can make the initial appointment face-to-face). We recommend choosing a provider close to you so you can have access to personal support.
Yes! DES allows you to change providers up to five times, no questions asked. After the fifth change, you can still switch providers but that request will be subject to an assessment.
If you're unhappy with the services you are receiving, you can change your provider by calling the National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260.
We focus on long-term support for both you and your employer to ensure you are successful in your job.
We will PREPARE you for work by listening to you and learning your employment goals. We work with you to make sure your journey is right for you. We will then CONNECT you with the right type of work, with the right hours, with the right employer. After starting your new job, we are there to provide you with ONGOING SUPPORT whilst you are at work. We not only want you to get the job, but we also want to make sure you enjoy your new role in the workplace
The Employment Services Assesment is designed to evaluate your eligibility for DES and the funding and resources you need to find work.
This assessment helps Centrelink understand: Your barriers to work, your capacity to work and the best employment services program for you. The ESAt is performed by a qualified health or allied health professionals to ensure you get the best outcome.
For more information see the ESAt Centrelink website
If you live with a disability, injury, health condition or mental health condition that affects your capacity to work in some way we can support you to find and keep a job.
You simply need your treating medical practitioner (GP, specialist) to complete Centrelink's medical verification form to:
- confirm details of the main medical conditions affecting your capacity to work
- assess how these conditions affect your capacity to work or take part in other activities
- recommend assistance which could help you into work or maintain employment
Castle provides individualised Disability Employment Services (DES) support for job seekers with a range of health conditions, including but not limited to:
- disabilities
- vision loss
- hearing loss
- cerebral palsy
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- intellectual disability - mental health conditions
- anxiety
- depression
- psychological conditions
- bipolar
- ADHD - chronic illnesses and diseases
- diabetes
- cystic fibrosis
- cancer - injuries
- brain injury
- back and limb injuries
- arthritis - many more
Castle can connect with specialist partners to address the specific personal circumstances of each job seeker, including GPs, mental health services, Occupational Therapists, physiotherapists and medical specialists.
If you have a health condition that is impacting your ability to find and/or maintain employment, you're most likely eligible for our services.
For more information see the Guide to the List of Recognised Disabilities | Department of Social Services, Australian Government (dss.gov.au)
No, you don't need an NDIS plan to access Disability Employment Services (but if you do, then you're already eligible!)
You may be eligible for DES if you are living with disability, injury or health condition that affects your ability to work, are of working age and not studying full time.
Visit Job Access for full eligibility details Eligibility | Job Access
You can register directly with Castle, or ask to be referred to us at Centrelink
'Mental health condition’, ‘mental illness’, 'psychosocial disability' and other terms, are used to describe a range of disorders that can affect thoughts, emotions and behaviours, that vary in both severity and duration. These conditions can include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance use, schizophrenia and many others.
While some people may not be significantly impacted in their daily lives, others may face severe challenges in functioning within the community, at home, and in the workplace. When a mental health condition severely affects a person's daily life, self-care and community participation, it may be considered a 'psychosocial disability'.
Whilst labels like 'disability' may not be relevant to some people's experience, it is important to understand the distinctions with which conditions can unlock vital financial support schemes.
Disability Employment Services
If you live with anxiety, depression or another mental health condition you may be eligible for our Disability Employment Services (DES). You don't necessarily need to be diagnosed with a 'psychosocial disability', only that your mental health condition affects your capacity to work in some way. This can be verified by a treating medical practitioner through this Centrelink form.
NDIS Services
If a person's mental health condition is considered a 'psychosocial disability', they may be eligible for NDIS support, however, a diagnosis of a condition in itself is not enough. In order to be eligible for funding through the NDIS, a psychosocial disability assessment must be carried out.
For businesses
Disabilities come in all shapes and sizes so we will ensure we recruit an employee who is the right fit for your business.
Castle can also help you access government funding to make workplace modifications if any are identified as being necessary. We do this through the Employment Assistance Fund which will ensure you are armed with the tools to support somone with a disabiliy on the job.
You don't need to worry about a pile of paperwork and bills, Castle will help you every step of the way with our completely free service. We create a shortlist of candidates for your business, saving you time and money in the recruitment process.
In fact, in some instances, you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of up to $10,000 depending on the person you hire.
Learn more about how we can support your recruitment efforts here.
Businesses may be eligible to access government incentives and wage subsidies up to $10,000 for each Castle job seeker they hire.
You can also access the Employment Assistance Fund for free workplace modifications to assist your staff. These modifications will not only benefit your new employee, they may enable beneficial facilities that will attract new customers too. This all depends on who you hire and their requirements in the workplace.
Castle will take the time to understand your needs and to match candidates to these. We seek to find the right person who is the right fit for your business and present you with a shortlist.
It varies from person to person and job to job, but broadly speaking about the same as anyone else. Of course though if more is required, this is where Castle can help. We support your new employee for as long as it takes to help them settle into their new role.
Research shows hiring people with disabilities is good for business – with 20% of the population having a disability it is likely that 20% of your customers may have a disability too.
Businesses that employ people with disabilities attract customers with disabilities, you are actually opening yourself up to new customers! You will also make your business attractive to other job seekers by providing a diverse, inclusive workplace.
Work Assist is a government-funded initiative designed to help you support and keep your existing employees when they are faced with physical or mental health illness and injury.
You can learn more about how Castle can help you access Work Assist here.