Job coaching and workplace assistance

NDIS Capacity Building support

On-the-job support to help a person learn a role, settle into a workplace and keep working, including practical help and coaching at work.

The short answer

Job coaching gives on-the-job support to help you learn a role, settle into a workplace and keep working. It can include practical help at work and coaching to build skills and confidence.

About Job coaching and workplace assistance

Starting a new job means learning tasks, routines, a new environment and new relationships all at once. A job coach supports you through that. They might help you learn the steps of a task, work out a routine, communicate with colleagues or manage sensory and physical needs at work.

Support is usually most intensive at the start and reduces as you gain confidence, although some people continue to need help. The aim is for you to do your job well, with only as much support as you need, and for the workplace to become more confident supporting you.

Working with the employer matters. With your agreement, a job coach can talk with your manager about adjustments and about how colleagues can help. You decide what is shared, and a good coach will always check with you first.

Who is this service for?

People who have a job, or are starting one, and want on-the-job support to learn the role and settle into the workplace.

What a typical session looks like

A job coach works with you at the workplace, or on the way to and from it, to help you learn the job and settle in. In the early days they may be present for much of your shift, showing you tasks, helping with the routine and answering questions. They also work with your supervisor and colleagues to make sure everyone understands how to support you.

As you gain confidence, the coach steps back and checks in less often. They continue to be available for new tasks, changes at work or anything that comes up. Their aim is for you to do the job as independently as possible, with adjustments that suit you.

Who delivers this support

Job coaches are usually employed by disability employment providers or specialist services. Good coaches are patient, understand the workplace and treat you as a valued employee, not a client. Ask about their experience with your type of job, how they involve the employer and how they plan to reduce support over time.

How to choose a provider

Questions to ask a provider

Common mistakes to avoid

Getting started

  1. Talk to your employer or employment provider about support at work.
  2. Contact job coaching providers and describe the job.
  3. Agree what the coach will help with and how often.
  4. Review regularly and plan how support will change over time.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Job coaching is often part of a package with employment assessment, training and workplace adjustments. It supports the transition from finding a job to keeping it. Employers may also have access to advice and funding for workplace changes, so it helps to ask the coach what else is available.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Job coaching and workplace assistance 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 Job coaching and workplace assistance 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 Job coaching and workplace assistance 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.

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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.

Related services

Frequently asked questions

What does a job coach do?

A job coach supports you at work, for example by helping you learn tasks, understand workplace routines and build relationships, and by working with your employer where you agree.

Will my employer know?

That is your choice. A good provider talks with you about what you want to share and how support will work in the workplace before it starts.

How long does the support last?

It varies. Often support is strongest at the start and reduces as you become confident, though some people need ongoing help.

Will my colleagues know I have a job coach?

That depends on what you and your employer agree. Discuss how you want it handled.

How long will I have a job coach?

It varies. Support usually reduces as you become confident, but some people continue to need it.

Can a job coach help me change jobs?

Yes. Coaches can support transitions and help you learn a new role.

Does the employer have to know about my job coach?

Generally the coach works with the employer's agreement, so the employer will know. A coach can help you and the employer talk about what is needed.

What kinds of workplace adjustments are common?

Examples include flexible hours, modified tasks, equipment, changes to the workspace and clear written instructions. The right ones depend on your needs and the job.

What happens when the coach stops coming?

The aim is to reach a point where you can do the job with only the support that naturally exists in the workplace. Ongoing check-ins can continue at a lighter level if needed.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Job coaching and workplace assistance?

If Job coaching and workplace assistance 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 Job coaching and workplace assistance 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.

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