Helping each person find the job that’s right for them
We help people from refugee backgrounds living with injury, illness or disability use their strengths to find meaningful work that suits them.
With over 25 years of experience supporting refugees, migrants and people from different cultural backgrounds, we help people recognise their skills and build confidence in what they can do.
Through our wide range of services and strong community connections, each person gets full support on their journey to work. Our team helps with getting job-ready, finding work, and settling into new roles – always respecting each person’s needs and culture.
Participants receive free, one-on-one help from a team that understands and values their experiences. Many of our staff come from diverse backgrounds too, so participants may be matched with someone who speaks their language or shares their culture.
Who is eligible?
Inclusive Employment Australia has replaced Disability Employment Services.
To be eligible to receive services with SSI, participants must:
- be an Australian resident or eligible visa holder (protected special category visa, temporary protection visas, or safe haven visas)
- have a disability, injury or health condition
- be between 14 and 67 years of age
- not be studying full-time
- not be working at or above your assessed work capacity.
Participants do not need to receive an Income Support Payment to access support.
Why choose SSI?
Finding and keeping a job can be especially hard for newly arrived refugees with disability. Language barriers, health and trauma, digital literacy, transport, and limited support networks often make it difficult to access mainstream services like the NDIS.
At SSI, we understand these challenges — and we know how to help overcome them. Since 2018, we’ve delivered Disability Employment Services (DES) with approaches tailored for refugees, including:
- Bilingual and culturally competent staff who understand refugee journeys
- Strong connections with refugee communities, leaders and services
- Personalised support that respects individual needs and lived experience
- Holistic help that goes beyond just job placement, for example, language, housing, financial aid and physical and mental health supports
Staff
Strong connections
Personalised support
Holistic help
Our track record shows the difference: We assisted over 11,600 participants between 2017 and 2024 into employment, education pathways, obtaining overseas skills and qualification recognition, and referrals into wrap-around and support services
By focusing on refugee participants, SSI offers a service that is culturally safe, trusted and proven — giving people the best chance to succeed in the workforce and build a bright future.
Support for every and any step
Support is available to people whether they are thinking about starting work or already have a job and need some help. Support is also available for those who would like to volunteer. They can choose the type of support that suits them from the options below.
Help becoming job ready
- Explore employment goals
- Identify and get help with all types of barriers, not just work-related
- Access training and activities to build your skills
- Attend job preparation workshops and forums
- Access to educational institutions, community organisations and other support (including refugee-specific community linkages)
Help finding a job
- Support finding jobs that align with career ambitions, goals, previous experience, skills and work capacity
- Prepare for interviews and boost confidence
- Access to our network of employers
- Help getting overseas qualifications recognised
- Get the job!
Help in the workplace
- Access to support and training at different stages of employment, including workplace integration, onboarding and on-the-job training
- Address emerging challenges
- Support accessing transport, tools, licensing, and other needs
- Making sure the workplace is comfortable, culturally sensitive and supportive
Get help like
Jana
who struggled to find work that fit her needs until she received personalised support and encouragement from SSI. She has now secured her ideal job in the care industry.
Omar
who wanted to work in retail and study but faced challenges due to living with schizophrenia and an intellectual disability. We helped him with training and securing a job at a supermarket, where he has thrived and achieved his goal of becoming a store manager.
Sara
who struggled to find fulfilling work due to her bipolar affective disorder and unfamiliarity with the Australian workforce. SSI recognised her skills and helped her find a job where she uses her lived experience to assist others find work.
What makes us different
We have dedicated teams who work closely with participants, employers and communities — each with a specific focus to help people get ready for work, support employers to recruit, and build strong community links.
Over more than 25 years, we’ve built strong relationships and trusted networks within communities. Access to our range of services and deep community connections mean participants receive complete support for every aspect of life.
Our staff are trauma-informed and have received cultural responsiveness training. This means they understand how past experiences and culture can shape a person’s needs and goals.
How to get started
To begin the journey with us, please fill in the application form.
You can do this even if the person hasn’t completed an employment assessment with Services Australia yet or if they are with another provider.
Answers to questions you might have
What is Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA)?
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.
Who is eligible to receive IEA services?
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.
What is the ESAt / JCA and why is it important?
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.
Can individuals register directly with an IEA provider (not through Services Australia)?
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.
What kinds of supports and services does IEA provide?
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
What is the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)?
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.
Can people who are not receiving Centrelink payments access IEA?
Yes. Under the IEA design, individuals who are not receiving income support may volunteer into the program, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
What is SSI’s role in IEA?
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.
What documentation or proof is required to show eligibility?
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).
How long can individuals receive support under IEA?
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.
What happens if circumstances change (e.g. work capacity improves or employment begins)?
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.
Who can be contacted for more detailed eligibility advice or to check qualification?
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.
To make a referral, please complete the form
Fields with an * are required.
Get in touch
SSI offers this service in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.
P: 1800 299 486 (NSW)
P: 1800 299 487 (QLD)
P: 1800 299 482 (VIC)
Inclusive Employment Australia is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.