Employment assessment and counselling

NDIS Capacity Building support

Help to work out what kind of work suits a person and what support they need, followed by guidance on finding and preparing for a job.

The short answer

Employment assessment and counselling helps you work out what kind of work suits you and what support you need, followed by guidance on preparing for and finding a job.

About Employment assessment and counselling

For many people the first step towards work is understanding what is possible. An employment assessment looks at your interests, strengths, skills, experience and the supports you may need in a workplace. It can include conversations, activities and, if useful, trial tasks. The result is a clearer picture of the kind of work that might suit you.

Counselling builds on that picture. A counsellor or employment specialist can talk through worries, explore options such as training, volunteering or work experience, and plan realistic next steps. This can be especially useful if you have never worked, have been out of work for a while or are changing direction.

Employment support is delivered through several different systems. Some support sits within an NDIS plan, and separate government employment programs are also available. It helps to ask providers and your planner or support coordinator how these fit together for you.

Who is this service for?

People who are thinking about work and want help understanding what suits them, what support they need and how to get started.

What a typical session looks like

An assessment usually starts with a conversation about your interests, experience, skills, health and the kind of work you would like. It may include questionnaires, practical exercises, and a look at any barriers such as transport, confidence or workplace adjustments. The result is a picture of the work that suits you and what might help you get and keep it.

Counselling follows, and it focuses on putting that into action. You might explore training, prepare a resume, practise interviews or plan how to talk to an employer about your needs. A counsellor helps you set realistic steps, keeps track of progress and adjusts the plan if things change.

Who delivers this support

Employment assessment and counselling are provided by career counsellors, vocational rehabilitation professionals, occupational therapists and specialist employment services. It helps to choose someone with experience of disability and the local job market, and who focuses on what you want rather than only what is available.

How to choose a provider

Ask how the assessment works and how long it usually takes.
Find out how the provider will involve you in decisions.
Ask about their links with employers and training providers.
Check whether they can support you after you start a job.
Ask how they handle questions about telling an employer about your disability.

Questions to ask a provider

How will you find out what work suits me, and not only what jobs are available?
What experience do you have with people who have a disability like mine?
How will you support me to talk to employers about workplace adjustments?
What happens after the assessment, and who helps me act on it?
How will you work with other supports, such as my therapist or training provider?
How will we know whether the plan is working?

Common mistakes to avoid

Applying for any job available instead of one that fits your interests and strengths.
Leaving out barriers such as health or transport, which then cause problems later.
Not asking about workplace adjustments before the job starts.
Treating the assessment as the end of the process rather than the start.
Not involving your family or supporters where you would like their help.

Getting started

Think about the types of work, hours and settings that interest you.
Speak to your planner or support coordinator about employment supports.
Book an assessment and bring examples of past work, study or volunteering.
Agree next steps and a plan for reviewing progress.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

This support usually comes before or alongside job coaching, training and supported employment. The assessment provides a plan that other supports can follow, and it is useful for conversations with employers and training providers. It also connects with other parts of your life, such as transport, health and housing, which affect how easily you can work.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Employment assessment and counselling if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Employment assessment and counselling is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Employment assessment and counselling that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Employment & education support providers on the NDIS register

5,959 NDIS providers list employment & education support supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing employment & education support

10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
13 Care Solutions - VIC; includes Cobblebank, VIC
1care Services - NSW; includes Schofields, NSW
1kind Group - SA; includes Royston Park, SA
1n1 Care - QLD; includes Underwood, QLD
1st Ethical Provider - VIC; includes Berwick, VIC
1up Care - VIC; includes Wantirna South, VIC
2 Assist Home Care - QLD; includes Bohle, QLD
2 Include Enterprise - NSW; includes Gymea, NSW
24 Care Aus - ACT; includes Phillip, ACT
24 Family Care - VIC; includes Manor Lakes, VIC
24 Hour Support Services - VIC; includes Coburg, VIC

See all 5,959 employment & education support providers

Listings by state and territory

Suburbs with the most listings

Listings covering the most areas

Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
Hunter Valley Care & Assistance - 249 areas
Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
Anne Care Facilities - 101 areas
Clover Leaf Sanctuary - 87 areas
Allied Ability Support - 76 areas
Caregiva - 70 areas
Quality in Home Health (QHH) - 70 areas

Checking credentials

Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

Frequently asked questions

What is an employment assessment?

A structured conversation and, if needed, activities that explore your interests, strengths and support needs, so you can work out what kind of work might suit you.

What happens after the assessment?

You get guidance on next steps, which might include training, work experience, job searching or on-the-job support. The aim is a plan that fits your goals.

Can it help if I have never worked before?

Yes. Many people use this kind of support to explore work for the first time and to understand what is possible.

Do I have to tell an employer about my disability?

Generally you decide what you share. A good provider can talk with you about when it might help, for example to arrange adjustments, and when it may not.

Can I use this if I have never worked?

Yes. Many people use employment assessment to explore work for the first time.

Where can I find out about workplace adjustments?

Government services such as JobAccess give information about adjustments and support available in workplaces.

What is a vocational assessment?

It is a structured look at your interests, skills, experience and needs so you and your counsellor can work out what kind of work suits you and what support you might need to get and keep it.

Must I disclose my disability when I apply for jobs?

It is your choice, and there are pros and cons. A counsellor can talk through your options and help you decide what to share and how.

Can I get help with a resume and interviews?

Yes. Many employment counsellors help with preparing resumes, practising interviews and thinking about how to present your strengths.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Employment assessment and counselling?

If Employment assessment and counselling is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Employment assessment and counselling provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory

Helpful reading

How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.

All NDIS and aged care articles