A culturally grounded employment program supporting First Nations people living with psychosocial disability has helped participants move into work, study, volunteering and other meaningful pathways, while delivering significant social benefits for community.
An independent Social Return on Investment analysis found The Journey to Work program led by WISE IDEA has delivered $9.38 in social value for every $1 invested.
The program supported 45 First Nations Community Members living with psychosocial disability between September 2022 and June 2025.
More than half of that value, $3.1 million, was experienced directly by Community Members. Benefits also flowed to families, employers and government through improved wellbeing and employment outcomes.
Thirty-one participants moved into paid work, study, volunteering or other meaningful vocational pathways.
The program was delivered by WISE IDEA, a centre of best practice in mental health and employment, an initiative of WISE, in partnership with Mullum Mullum Aboriginal Gathering Place in Victoria.
WISE IDEA Director Shannon Lang said the findings reinforce what the team has seen on the ground.
“When employment support is built on trust and cultural safety, people engage,” Ms Lang said.
“This evaluation shows that when we invest in approaches shaped by Community and delivered in the right environment, the outcomes are real and measurable.”
Kerry Williams, Program Manager at Mullum Mullum Aboriginal Gathering Place, said the program worked because it moved at the pace of Community.
“Real change does not happen overnight,” Ms Williams said.
“For our mob, it starts with feeling safe. No shame. No pressure. Just steady support.”
“Over time you see confidence grow. People start showing up. They start talking about goals again. Then the steps toward training or work follow.”
WISE IDEA Occupational Therapist Pree Sivakumaran said embedding vocational therapy inside a culturally safe space made a significant difference.
“Many people I worked with had strength and talent, but they had lost belief in themselves,” Ms Sivakumaran said.
“When we created space to talk about purpose, culture and work in a way that respected their mental health, things began to shift.”
“It was never about rushing someone into a job. It was about building readiness and confidence so that when they stepped forward, it was sustainable.”
WISE IDEA is now working on an implementation guide to support delivery of the model in other First Nations contexts and exploring opportunities to expand the approach under future funding arrangements.
The Journey to Work project was funded through the Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
WISE IDEA was established to build evidence-based approaches that support people living with mental health conditions to gain and maintain meaningful employment. Each year, WISE supports more than 15,000 Australians on their path to earning, learning and living well.