How does Disability Employment Services (DES) work?

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.