One in five Australians has a disability. Here are five facts that might surprise about hiring people with disabilities:  

1. Disability is more diverse than you might think 

Disability includes hearing loss and Deafness, low vision and blindness, physical disabilities, learning disabilities like dyslexia, acquired injuries, long-term illnesses and chronic health conditions. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it shows how common and varied disability is in the workforce. 

2. You may already employ people with disability without knowing  

Over 5.5 million Australians live with disability, including more than two million of working age. Many disabilities are not visible and don’t necessarily affect an employee’s ability to perform their role. It’s likely that you already have staff with disability on your team. 

3. People with disability bring valuable skills, abilities and perspectives  

Like any other job seeker, people with disability offer a wide range of skills, qualifications, and experience. Their lived experience often brings unique insights and approaches to problem-solving, innovation, and teamwork. 

4. Hiring people with disability benefits your business 

Research shows that, on average, employees with disability: 

• Take fewer sick days 
• Report fewer safety incidents 
• Are more likely to stay with an employer long-term 

This leads to lower recruitment and training costs and increased productivity. 

5. You may be eligible for government wage subsidies  

Matching the right person to the right role is key to business success – and that person could be someone with a disability. If you hire through an employment service provider like WISE Employment, you may be eligible for government wage subsidies to help cover onboarding and training costs. 

Partner with WISE Employment

WISE Employment is a not-for-profit employment service provider funded by the Australian Government through the Inclusive Employment Australia and Workforce Australia programs. Our services are cost-free to employers, and we provide end-to-end support, including recruitment, workplace adjustments, and subsidy guidance to find and retain talented staff.  

Get in touch today to discover how we can support your business by calling 1800 685 105 or registering a job vacancy.