Australian Disability Discrimination Act: Employment Guide
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA)
The DDA makes it unlawful to discriminate against a person because of their disability in many areas, including employment (section 15).
Coverage
Protected Areas in Employment
- Recruitment and selection (arrangements for deciding who is offered a job, and who is offered it)
- Terms and conditions of employment
- Access to opportunities for promotion, transfer and training
- Dismissal, and any other detriment
Reasonable Adjustments
Failing to make reasonable adjustments for a person with disability can amount to discrimination under the DDA. In employment, an employer has a defence only where avoiding the discrimination would impose an unjustifiable hardship on them.
Examples
- Flexible working arrangements
- Modified duties
- Accessible technology
- Physical workplace modifications
- Additional training or supervision
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Employment Supports
The NDIS can fund supports that help participants get ready for and stay in work, including:
- Discovering strengths and what work suits you
- Learning how to work (getting to and from work, teamwork, workplace communication)
- Help finding or changing jobs, including helping employers learn how to support you
- Support at work, such as on-the-job coaching, training and mentoring
- Employment-related assessment and advice from allied health professionals, including help with workplace adjustments
Inclusive Employment Australia
Inclusive Employment Australia replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) program on 1 November 2025. It is a specialist disability employment program that helps people with disability, injury or health condition prepare for, find and maintain work. Providers also work with employers to:
- Identify business needs and find suitable candidates
- Make workplace adjustments and tailor jobs
- Retain employees with disability
JobAccess
The Australian Government's national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers, providing:
- Workplace adjustment information
- Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) funding
- A free telephone advice line
Employment Assistance Fund covers costs for:
- Workplace modifications and work equipment (capped at $70,847.47 including GST per application)
- Auslan interpreting services
- Workplace assistance and support services, including Disability Awareness Training
Resources
- Australian Human Rights Commission: humanrights.gov.au
- JobAccess: jobaccess.gov.au
- NDIS: ndis.gov.au
- Department of Social Services (Inclusive Employment Australia): dss.gov.au