Information for Employers

Do you need workers who are dedicated and productive? People with disAbilities are great workers; given the opportunity, they can demonstrate their abilities. Employing people with disAbilities makes good business sense.

 

SkillsPlus assists a diverse range of job seekers with differing experience levels and skills and can provide you with:

• Job seekers ready to work
• A consultant to visit your workplace to discuss your needs
• Job matching between your requirements and job seeker skills
• Job support in your workplace (if required) for you and your employee
• Access to funds for workplace modifications if required
• Free service

 

Assistance for Employers

 

Disabled New Apprentice Wage Support (DNAWS)

The Disabled New Apprentice Wage Support (DNAWS) program provides funding for employers and training providers to assist apprentices and trainees with disabilities to successfully participate in on-the-job and off-the-job training. Apprentices and trainees with a disAbility can access training support such as tutoring, note taking or sign language interpreting. For more information regarding DNAWS, including eligibility, contact a New Apprenticeship Centre in your region. SkillsPlus can assist employers who are considering employing a Trainee or Apprentice with a disAbility.

 

Supported Wage System (SWS)

Most Australians who have a disAbility participate in the workforce at full award rates of pay. However, there are some people who are unable to obtain and/or maintain employment at full award rates, due to the effects of a disAbility on their workplace productivity. In this instance the Supported Wage System can be utilised. The Supported Wage System provides a productivity-based wage assessment to determine pro-rata award wages.

 

The Supported Wage System has been developed in close consultation with employer, trade union and disAbility peak bodies, and with peak bodies and specialised employment agencies for people with disabilities.

 

The assessed percentage of productivity applies to the wage rate only. All conditions of employment are the same as their co-workers.

 

A payment of $1000 may be available to assist employers, where an employee with a disAbility is starting work in a new job. This payment is not available if the employer is already receiving a wage subsidy. More information on the Supported Wage System can be obtained by contacting a SkillsPlus DES consultant.

 

Wage Subsidies

The Wage Subsidy Scheme encourages employers to provide job opportunities to people with disAbilities. SkillsPlus only offers wage subsides for employment that has the possibility of continuing beyond 13 weeks and where the Employer meets conditions.

 

Wage Subsidies are funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. More information on the Wage Subsidy Scheme can be obtained by contacting a SkillsPlus DES consultant.

 

Workplace Modifications

Funding of up to $5000 is available for essential workplace modifications or special or adaptive equipment that will assist people with disAbilities to get jobs. The Workplace Modification Scheme is funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. More information on the Workplace Modifications Scheme can be obtained by contacting a SkillsPlus DES consultant.

 

Contact Us

 

For further information please contact

Phone: (03) 9784-0400

Fax: (03) 9784-0433

Email: des@skillsplus.com.au

 

How to give feedback or make a complaint about the Disability Employment Services SkillsPlus provides:

SkillsPlus actively encourages employers to provide feedback or to make a complaint about the service we  provide through the Disability Employment Services (DES) program. We actively work to resolve any grievances we receive, and to improve the service we provide.

 

Each SkillsPlus branch has a Feedback Box in reception as well as feedback forms which can be used to let us know about the quality of the service you have received and the ways in which we can improve the service. Feedback can also be given directly to a member of staff in writing or in person. We can also receive feedback via our DES email address. Our email address is des@skillsplus.com.au.

 

SkillsPlus views complaints as another opportunity to improve our service. Complaints can be made with Employment Consultants or with Branch Managers at a local level. Complaints become part of the SkillsPlus Continuous Improvement system, which ensures that issues are resolved in a professional and timely manner.

 

SkillsPlus’s DES program is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Complaints can also be lodged with the Department on 1800 805 260.

 

 

 

Workers with disAbilities will benefit your business.