Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) will be available from 1 November 2025. But who can take part in the program, and what do you need to do to check your eligibility? This article explains what IEA is, who it supports, and how to get started.
What is Inclusive Employment Australia?
Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is the new national employment service that will replace Disability Employment Services (DES). It is designed to support people with disability, injury or a health condition who are looking for meaningful work.
Through IEA, you can access personalised support, training, and inclusive employers to help you prepare for, find, and keep a job.
Do you need to be on Centrelink or government benefits?
No. You do not need to be receiving Centrelink payments or other government income support to be eligible for IEA.
The main requirement in most cases is to have an Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) through Services Australia. This assessment confirms your eligibility and helps match you with the right support.
General eligibility criteria for IEA
To take part in IEA, you’ll need to meet certain requirements confirmed in a Current and Valid ESAt:
- Disability, injury or health condition – You must have a disability, injury or health condition that impacts your ability to work.
- Work capacity – Your ESAt must show a current and future work capacity of less than 30 hours per week (with the right support in place).
- Residency or visa status – You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold one of the following:
- Protected Special Category Visa
- Temporary Protection Visa
- Safe Haven Enterprise Visa
- Age – You must be at least 14 years old and under Age Pension age (currently 67).
- Study – You must not be studying full-time, unless Services Australia referred you knowing you were a full-time student. Part-time study is allowed.
- Referral – Your ESAt must include a recommendation for IEA (or previously, DES).
- Current work – You must not already be working in open employment at or above your Employment Benchmark. Supported Employment does not count towards this.
What is an ESAt?
An Employment Services Assessment (ESAt) is an appointment with Services Australia that looks at:
- Whether you have a disability, injury or health condition
- The type of work you may be able to do
- Any extra support you might need to prepare for and keep a job
This process helps determine whether you are eligible for IEA and ensures you’re matched with the right level of support.
How to get started
If you’re interested in joining Inclusive Employment Australia through WISE, here’s what to do:
- Register your interest as a job seeker with WISE Employment.
- Contact Services Australia to request an Employment Services Assessment (if you don’t already have one).
- Call our team on 1800 685 105 if you’d like to talk through the process or ask questions.
- Visit your local WISE office for in-person support.
Other WISE programs and services
Alongside IEA, WISE offers a wide range of programs to support people into work, including Workforce Australia, NDIS services and supports, and more. You can explore them all here: WISE programs and services.
What this means for you
Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to make employment more accessible for people with disability, injury or a health condition. You don’t need to be on Centrelink to qualify, but you will need an ESAt to confirm your eligibility.
WISE is expanding our national presence under the new IEA program, meaning more locations across Australia will soon be ready to support you.
Our team is here to guide you through the process, answer your questions and support you every step of the way. Free-call us today on 1800 685 105 or register online to get started.
For more details, please refer to Inclusive Employment Australia.