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Disability Employment Services (DES) has changed to Inclusive Employment Australia.

If you’re a Disability Employment Services participant with APM, or you have recently been assigned APM as your provider, we'll be in touch to talk about your support and the next steps to achieving your employment goals.

If you have any questions about Inclusive Employment Australia, or your support, drop by your local APM site and speak to your local team.

You can also call us on 1800 276 276 during local business hours or email support@apm.net.au


Inclusive Employment Australia logo

Disability, injury, or health condition?

We help people with disability, injury, or health conditions find the right job, whether with big or small employers.

With experience in 400 communities across Australia, we provide personalised support. Our team includes members who have firsthand experience with disability.

Speak to our Disability Employment Services team today to see if you’re eligible for our support and prepare for, find, and keep a job that suits you.


What is DES?

Disability Employment Services (DES) is an inclusive employment program to help people with a disability, injury, or health condition, prepare for, find and succeed in a job and career development.

If you're eligible for DES, we work with you to tailor your support to meet your specific needs. It may include helping you:

  • prepare for joining the workforce
  • train in specific job skills
  • write resumes and job applications
  • boost your interview skills
  • look for fulfilling and suitable jobs
  • meet local employers
  • access health or other local support services

When you start working we may also help you with:

  • on-the-job training
  • access to uniforms, tools or equipment
  • speaking to your boss and co-workers
  • ongoing support in your job
  • modifying your workplace


Get started in three easy steps

artwork of a job seeker registering for DES with APM

Step one

Register with us, and we'll be in touch in the next few days to discuss your eligibility and how to join DES with APM.

artwork of a DES participant meeting an APM consultant

Step two

If you're eligible, you'll meet your APM employment consultant and tell them your interests, goals and challenges.

Step three

Step three

You get to work with your employment consultant and start your plan for new skills, training or a job that’s right for you.


Am I eligible for DES?

If you have a disability, injury, or health condition that impacts how much you can work, you may be able to join DES if you are:

  • aged 14 to 67 and legally allowed to work
  • getting a support payment or the Disability Support Pension
  • an NDIS participant or eligible school leaver

Other eligibility criteria may also apply. 

Learn more at DES eligibility or chat to us to find out if you can join.

Call 1800 276 276 or click below to register and we'll be in touch.

DES participant Alexander in a blue top smiles in an APM office

Support to suit you and your goals

When you register for DES, we start by getting to know and understand you.

We discuss your interests, the type of work you would like to do, and your employment goals. 

Then we work together to help you achieve your goals and find the right job for you.

You may be eligible for training courses to prepare for your ideal job, or support to search and apply for work while managing personal challenges.

Whatever your goal, your support is unique.

APM supports people with IEA in communities across Australia

Supported disabilities

Explore the disabilities, injuries, and health conditions of people we support.

NDIS participants

How to apply for DES when you're an NDIS participant.

School leavers

Access DES if you're preparing to leave or have recently left school.


Choose what defines you

If you have a disability, injury or health condition, we know it doesn’t define you.  

That’s why we’ll work with you to find, and support you in, the right job for you. 

Chat with us today and choose what defines you, and see how these DES participants chose to achieve their goals with support from APM.


More than 80,000 people with disability, injury, or a health condition chose APM for Disability Employment Services last year

Why people choose to join APM

We know how important the right job can be for your health and happiness. 

It shows there’s more to you than your disability, injury or health condition. 

We know because APM has been helping Australians thrive in the workplace for more than 30 years. 

APM Employment Services is a national provider of Disability Employment Services, with our teams delivering the inclusive employment program to more regions than any other provider.


DES success stories

DES participant Sean smiles in his new workplace

Sean chose to find a job to match his skills and interests

Success stories

Watch now
DES participant Ngaire in a black top outside rural buildings

Ngaire chose to find a fulfilling career to succeed in

Success stories

Watch now
DES participant Gary in a black top and cap

Gary chose to get back on his feet and find a job he loves

Success stories

Watch now

DES participant Zac smiles with an APM employment consultant

When you start with APM

We set up your first appointment so you can meet your dedicated inclusive employment consultant

They will listen to your challenges and what you want to achieve. 

They're your guide to getting the most from DES. This includes:

  • discussing your disability, injury, or health condition, and the support you need to achieve your goals
  • providing you with a copy of our Service Guarantee and Code of Practice
  • explaining your rights, obligations and prepare a job plan to help you stay on track
  • exploring how to best search for a job or other career-related goals

DES participant Ngaire with her employer and APM consultant walking outside a rural property

When you find a job

When you start working, we’re still here for you.

Your APM employment consultant will check in with you regularly to see how you’re going and help with any challenges you may have.

If you need us, we can provide on-the-job support, which may include workplace modifications, skills training, and other assistance to help you succeed at work.

And we can also meet with your employer and co-workers to ensure a supportive work environment.

We’re here to help you for at least 12 months once you start your new job, making sure you feel supported and confident at work for the long term.


Want to know more?

Andrew a DES participant smiles in his cafe workplace in a black polo

Prepare for, find, and keep a job

Mark in a high vis top smiles next to boxes in a warehouse

Hire people and grow an inclusive workplace

APM employment consultant Ellen smiling outside

Find your nearest APM team


About APM Employment Services

Caley smiles in his Woolworths uniform next to fresh bananas

Supporting employers big and small

Family business or national company - we help employers find the right person, wherever they’re needed.

DES participant Ngaire outside with a windmill behind them

We're here for you, wherever you are

With 400+ inclusive employment teams across Australia, your path to the career you want, may be closer than you think.

APM EC Adam listens to a DES participant inside an APM office

Real people, real experience

Connected to your community, your nearest APM team may include people with disability and experience of inclusive employment in Australia.

An APM employment consultant smiles in a black top inside an APM office

Dedicated purpose-driven team

We continue learning and developing new skills to deliver people with disability and employers the best support.

A man in blue jacket smiles with an APM consultant in an Indigenous polo

First Nations support

We work with local organisations, employers, and communities to support job seekers and grow opportunities.

APM supports IEA participants from diverse communities

Cultural and language diversity

Our diverse team understands the unique challenges faced by people from a variety of non-English speaking backgrounds.


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