Media Release by The Hon Jane Prentice MP

Improving Disability Employment Outcomes

Today, the Hon Jane Prentice, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services, met with people with disability, employers and government representatives to discuss improving employment outcomes for people with disability.

“Employment is extremely important for both individuals and their local communities. It offers both economic security and independence,” Mrs Prentice said.

“Employment helps us connect socially with others, and provides a sense of responsibility and self-worth.

“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, only 53 percent of people with disability of working age are employed, compared to 83 percent for people

without disability.”

The aim of the workshop in Melbourne was to seed ideas that would encourage and support self-employment and entrepreneurship by people with disability. 

Participants also looked at ways to create awareness of the value, skills and education of people with disability to build a future where employing people with disability is business as usual.

A range of innovative concepts were presented to the Assistant Minister that will help inform future program and policy development. Some key themes included sharing success stories, identifying best-practice in disability employment, tailored work experience and a digital platform that connects local industry to people with disability for the right job fit.

“I look forward to sharing these ideas with my state and territory counterparts through the Disability Reform Council (DRC) and the National Disability and Carers Advisory Council,” Mrs Prentice said.

The workshop aligns with the Australian Government’s commitment, under the National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 Second Implementation Plan: Driving Action 2015-2018, to hold an annual solutions-focused workshop on improving employment outcomes for people with disability.

Find out more information about the National Disability Strategy, including the Second Implementation Plan on the Department of Social Services website.