Jobs for People with Disability: A Practical Guide for Australians

Finding a job with a disability: where to start

Finding work with a disability goes more smoothly when you line up support before you start applying.

1. 1Write down your strengths and interests. List the tasks you do well, the settings you like and the hours you can manage, so you can focus your search.
2. 2Note the adjustments that help you work. Think about start times, quiet space, equipment, written instructions or a gradual build-up of hours, and keep the list short and specific.
3. 3Call JobAccess for free advice. The service is confidential and also handles Employment Assistance Fund and Supported Wage System applications (JobAccess).
4. 4Ask about Inclusive Employment Australia. It helps people with disability, injury or health conditions find and keep work, and you do not need to receive government payments to take part (Department of Social Services).
5. 5Update your resume and practise your interview answers. Include volunteering, study and caring experience, and decide in advance what you want to say about your disability.
6. 6Apply, then follow up. Keep a simple list of where you applied and when, and ask your employment provider to help with calls and interviews if that is a barrier.

Help getting a job with a disability

You do not have to do this alone, and several free supports exist for different parts of the process.

Our guide to disability employment service providers explains how to compare providers and what to ask at the first appointment.

I have a disability and need a job: what are the best jobs for people with disability?

No list of roles suits everyone, because disability affects people differently and strengths vary widely. Match the work to your skills and the environment you can do well in.

• Roles with structure and clear routines: data entry, stock and warehouse work, library or archive roles suit some people who value predictable tasks.
• People-focused roles: customer service, hospitality, peer support and community work suit people who enjoy conversation and lived experience counts.
• Remote or flexible work: writing, design, bookkeeping and IT support can reduce travel, sensory load and fatigue for some people.
• Hands-on and outdoor work: gardening, maintenance, trades and food production suit people who prefer practical, physical tasks.
• Self-employment: a small business lets you set your own hours and pace, though it needs planning, an ABN and a steady source of customers.

We have more specific ideas in our guides to jobs for people with autism, jobs for people with ADHD and jobs for people with an intellectual disability.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Work on disability: working while you get the Disability Support Pension

Starting work does not automatically mean losing your payment, but the rules have limits.

• Up to 29 hours a week: people getting the Disability Support Pension (DSP) can do paid work up to 29 hours a week without losing it if they meet the income test (Services Australia).
• 30 hours or more: if you work 30 or more hours a week on an ongoing basis, your DSP can be suspended for up to 2 years.
• Check what to report: the Services Australia page explains what to tell them when you start work or your income changes.
• Mobility Allowance: this is a separate payment; check with Services Australia whether you can get it. As at 1 January 2026 it is paid at a standard rate of $122.80 per fortnight and a higher rate of $171.70 per fortnight (Department of Social Services).

Rules depend on your circumstances, so check with Services Australia or ask JobAccess before you accept an offer.

Working with a disability: your workplace rights

The law protects you at work and when you apply, and knowing your rights helps you ask for adjustments with confidence.

• No adverse action: under the Fair Work Act, employers cannot take adverse action against employees or job applicants because of physical or mental disability (Fair Work Ombudsman).
• Dismissal deadline: a dismissed employee has 21 days, starting the day after dismissal, to apply to the Fair Work Commission. Choosing one complaint route can limit others, so get advice before you lodge.
• Adjustments: you can ask your employer about changes to tasks, hours or equipment, and JobAccess handles Employment Assistance Fund applications.
• Telling an employer: whether, when and what to share about your disability depends on your situation, and JobAccess gives free, confidential advice on this.
• Where to learn more: the Australian Human Rights Commission explains your rights under disability discrimination law (Australian Human Rights Commission).

For what a supportive employer looks like, see our guide to the disability inclusive workplace, which also helps you spot good disability employers.

Graduate disability employment

If you are finishing university or TAFE, graduate programs and early-career pathways can be a strong way into a first professional role.

• Check employer careers pages: large employers and public sector agencies often run graduate programs and may state how they support applicants with disability.
• Ask about adjusted recruitment: you can request extra time, a different format or an interview panel briefed in advance.
• Use your university or TAFE service: many campuses have a disability service and a careers team who can help with applications.
• Look for recruitment programs: some employers run targeted recruitment, as shown in our disability recruitment case studies.

How can I get a job with a disability? What the numbers show

Employment is harder to find for many disabled Australians, which is why using support and knowing your options matters.

These figures come from the ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (Australian Bureau of Statistics). They describe all working-age people with disability, not what you personally can do. If you want to understand what employers gain, read about the benefits of employing someone with a disability.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until you feel completely ready before asking for help, when free advice is available straight away.
• Accepting a job without asking Services Australia how the hours and income affect your payment.
• Applying for every vacancy instead of targeting roles that suit your strengths and energy.
• Not asking whether adjustments are available for the interview, such as extra time or a different format.
• Staying in a job that does not suit you without talking to your employment provider about a better fit.

TQN Care support workers help with personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC). Tell us what you need and we will call you back.

Your next step

Work is easier when everyday life is well supported. TQN Care’s NDIS services include personal care, community access, respite and help around the home across Sydney, Melbourne and surrounding areas (NSW & VIC), so you have the energy and time for study, training or a new job. If you are an NDIS participant or family member and want to talk about support, send us a referral and we will call you back.