Job help for refugees living with injury, illness or disability

Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is a federal program that helps people with disability, injury or health conditions prepare for work, find suitable employment, and maintain it over time.

To access IEA services, individuals generally need to meet the general eligibility criteria, unless they qualify under a special eligibility pathway.

General eligibility criteria include:

• Having a current and valid ESAt (Employment Services Assessment) showing a disability, injury or health condition that impacts work capacity.
• Having baseline work capacity (with intervention) under 30 hours per week.
• Being an Australian resident or holding an eligible visa (e.g. Australian citizen, permanent resident, Special Category Visa, Safe Haven Enterprise Visa).
• Being of working age (at least 14 years old and below Age Pension qualifying age).
• Not studying full time (unless special criteria apply).
• Not already working in open employment at or above the assessed employment benchmark.

Special eligibility pathways allow certain groups to access IEA even if they do not fully meet the general criteria. These include Eligible School Leavers, DSP recipients with a prior ESAt, pre-release prisoners, and some NDIS participants under specific conditions.

The ESAt (Employment Services Assessment) or JCA (Job Capacity Assessment) is conducted through Services Australia to assess a person’s work capacity, identify barriers, and determine the most suitable employment service, including IEA.

Eligibility for IEA generally depends on having a current and valid ESAt.

Yes. Some providers allow direct registration, meaning individuals can approach them directly rather than being referred through Services Australia. However, general or special eligibility criteria must still be met.

IEA offers a range of tailored supports, including:

• Preparing for work (skill development, résumé building, interview support)
• Finding work that aligns with individual abilities and goals
• On-the-job support, mentoring and coaching
• Workplace adjustments (assistive technology, flexible hours, modifications)
• Career development and ongoing support as needed

The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) helps pay for workplace adjustments, assistive equipment, modifications, and Auslan interpreting to ensure individuals can work effectively. The fund can be accessed by either the employee or employer.

Yes. Under the IEA design, individuals who are not receiving income support may volunteer into the program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

SSI is a provider for Inclusive Employment Australia in selected regions. We bring specialist experience, particularly in working with people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, to deliver tailored employment services.

When registering or commencing with an IEA provider, individuals must provide evidence such as identity documents (e.g. driver’s licence or passport), medical or functional reports, ESAt results, or proof of special eligibility (where applicable).

Support is not limited by a fixed time period. Participants can continue receiving services as long as necessary to achieve their employment goals, subject to ongoing eligibility and program rules.

If circumstances change, the provider will review the individual’s needs and adjust the level or phase of support accordingly. Once commenced, participants generally do not need to requalify eligibility on an ongoing basis.

For detailed eligibility advice, individuals can contact Services Australia, their local IEA provider (such as SSI in their area), or review the official IEA guidelines on the Department of Social Services website.