The disability employment services sector in Australia is a critical lifeline for many individuals with disabilities, offering support and pathways to meaningful employment. However, recent findings have raised concerns about the quality and effectiveness of some of the largest disability job service providers in the country. As the federal government unveils its inaugural public report card on the industry, it’s become clear that not all is well.
In a comprehensive assessment of 88 providers participating in the disability employment services program as of July, a commendable 92% were found to be meeting quality expectations, and 90% either exceeded or met effectiveness expectations. Despite these encouraging statistics, there is a troubling undercurrent, as several major providers are falling short of the mark. Seven have been flagged for needing to improve quality standards, while five have been deemed ineffective.
These service providers play a pivotal role in the lives of around 250,000 Australians who rely on them for employment assistance. They receive ongoing service fees from the federal government and can also earn outcome fees when a client secures employment for set periods ranging from four weeks to a year. The stakes are high, both for the individuals seeking employment and for the providers entrusted with supporting them.
The government’s new scorecard system, which will be updated quarterly, aims to shed light on the performance of these providers. While the majority are meeting expectations, the scorecard has highlighted areas where improvement is crucial. The efficiency of these providers in securing employment for their clients will be further scrutinised in reports due in the new year.
One of the largest job service providers, APM, has been specifically noted as requiring improvement in effectiveness. This rating indicates that the provider has not fully met service expectations and needs to enhance its performance. Other providers, including Max, gforce, Joblink Plus, and Madec, have also been marked as needing to improve their effectiveness.
Quality assessments take into account various factors such as participant rights, compliance, provider capability, and understanding of quality. Providers such as uLaunch, CVGT, CoAct, Campbell Page, Outlook, and Kuditj have failed to meet these quality expectations. The Department of Social Services has committed to working closely with these providers to ensure they meet minimum requirements.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth has emphasised that the new public reporting mechanism will offer greater insight and transparency into the program. She acknowledges the importance of paid employment in enabling people with disabilities to fully participate in society.
Earlier this year, reports emerged that some job providers were receiving millions in public funds for work that job seekers were securing on their own. Additionally, some disability job providers also cater to jobseekers who are signed on to mutual obligations to continue receiving welfare payments. It was revealed that the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations had paid providers over $3.6 million in the past five years for pre-existing employment situations.
In response to the disability royal commission, the Albanese government has announced a focus on improving job pathways for Australians with disabilities as part of a broad $371 million package. This includes $228 million allocated towards designing a specialist disability program to replace the current system, and another $23.3 million for establishing a Disability Employment Centre of Excellence to aid providers in delivering effective services.
With approximately 2.7 million Australians of working age living with a disability and an unemployment rate of 7.5% among this demographic, the need for high-quality, effective disability employment services is more pressing than ever.
In what ways do you think disability employment services could better support individuals with disabilities? Let us know in the comments—your insights could help shape the conversation on improving the sector.
Also read: Data shows long wait for disability support pension
