What are Disability Employment Services?

Castle is contracted by the Australian Government to deliver Disability Employment Services (DES), a program that supports people living with a disability, injury or health condition to find and keep a job.

Help can include:

  • career advice
  • employment preparation
  • resume development
  • training and qualifications
  • job searching
  • ongoing support at work (if you require it), including funding for necessary workplace modifications and wage subsidies to employers.
A jobseeker alongside her manager and Castle Case Officer
A jobseeker alongside her manager and Castle Case Officer
Castle has been offering employment support in the Newcastle, Hunter and Central Coast Regions for 30 years and is highly experienced at connecting local people to local jobs.

We have supported job seekers of all backgrounds, skills levels, disabilities, and understand that every journey to employment is different.

Our industry-leading service is structured to give you dedicated support to prepare for and secure the job you want, ensure it is a right fit once you get a job, and maintain ongoing support with you and your employer, for as long as you need.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible for DES support if you;

have a diagnosed disability, injury or health condition

aged at least 14 but have not yet attained the Age Pension qualifying age

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. Castle will facilitate an ESAt or JCA upon registration

are not working at or above their assessed work capacity (not applicable for Work Assist Participants and people who receive National Disability Insurance Scheme funding for supported employment, and/or Australian Disability Enterprise participants).

You may not think of yourself as having a 'disability'. The definitions are broad, and everybody has different circumstances. Talk to Castle about your individual circumstances and whether the program is right for you.

You can complete our form below, visit one of our offices and register directly, or visit a Centrelink Office near you and tell them you want to ‘Choose Castle’ to help you get a job!

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