“Finding and Keeping a Job” is the NDIS funding category for employment supports. It may pay for help to work out what job suits you, build work skills, find a job and get support once you are working. It sits in the Capacity Building part of an NDIS plan.
This guide explains what Finding and Keeping a Job NDIS funding covers, how it gets into your plan, how it differs from Inclusive Employment Australia, and how to set employment goals that make sense for you.
What “Finding and Keeping a Job” means in the NDIS
Finding and Keeping a Job is a Capacity Building support category. Capacity Building funding is for building your skills and independence, so this funding is about more than being matched with a vacancy. It is for developing the skills and confidence to get work and stay in it.
The NDIS lists employment supports among the supports that are not included in the support budget reductions that began on 1 October 2026. Our guide to the NDIS community participation cuts explains what is changing.
What NDIS employment supports can include
The NDIS says employment supports can help you build work skills, find and keep a job, and get support at work. That can include:
- Discovering your strengths: working out what you are good at and what kind of work suits you.
- Learning how to work: getting to work, teamwork, problem-solving, workplace communication and building confidence in real work settings.
- Finding or changing jobs: finding a suitable job, helping an employer learn how to support you, and changing jobs or moving ahead in your career.
- Support at work: on-the-job coaching, training and mentoring, and help to complete tasks until you can do them yourself.
- Assessment and advice: employment-related assessments, counselling and advice from allied health professionals.
The NDIS only funds supports that are reasonable and necessary for you, so what ends up in your plan depends on your situation.
How employment supports get into your NDIS plan
It starts with a goal. You do not need to know exactly what job you want. A goal like “I want to find out what work suits me” or “I want to build skills for a job in hospitality” is enough to start the conversation.
You can share your employment goals at your plan meeting. Your my NDIS contact or support coordinator can help you think them through. When employment funding is being added, your planner will want to know things like where and when you work or want to work, what tasks are involved, what extra help you need, and whether the support is one-to-one or in a group.
NDIS employment supports and Inclusive Employment Australia
Inclusive Employment Australia replaced Disability Employment Services (DES) on 1 November 2025. It is a separate government program, not part of your NDIS plan.
| NDIS employment supports | Inclusive Employment Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Funding in your NDIS plan under Finding and Keeping a Job. | A government employment program for people with disability, injury or a health condition. |
| What it focuses on | Building work skills and confidence, and ongoing support on the job. | Helping jobseekers prepare for, find and keep a job. |
| How you get it | Through your NDIS plan, based on your goals and needs. | Through Services Australia and Inclusive Employment Australia providers. |
The NDIS also points to the Employment Assistance Fund, which can help with work-related modifications and equipment, and to JobAccess for more information. Your my NDIS contact can help you work out which supports fit your situation.
Leaving school: School Leaver Employment Supports
If you are finishing Year 12, School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) may help you move from school to work. The NDIS describes SLES as individualised support for up to two years after finishing Year 12. It can include work experience, job skills training and travel training.
Setting employment goals for your NDIS plan
Clear goals make it easier for everyone to see what support will help. These questions are a good place to start:
- What do you enjoy doing, and could any of it lead to work?
- What kind of workplace suits you: outdoors, in an office, with animals, with people?
- How many hours a week do you want to work?
- What skills do you have now, and what do you want to learn?
Your answers might lead to goals such as “I want a part-time customer service job so that I can build my confidence” or “I want support to start my own gardening business”. If self-employment interests you, read what a microenterprise is and whether it is right for you.
Staying in work: support on the job
Support does not have to stop when you get the job. Where it is in your plan, on-the-job support can help you learn new tasks, settle into the routine, get along with your team and handle changes at work. The aim is for you to need less support over time.
What people say about Good Company
“My Grandchild has been supported by Good Company Disability Services since April 13th, 2024. Their way of mentoring means their clients will often be provided with more than one mentor, assuring there is always backup and diversity. The mentors provided have been caring, professional, and enthusiastic. Good Company also communicates well and is open to constant collaboration with my Grandchild and I and any other support services. In a time of uncertainty and multiple stressors, Good Company have offered encouragement and a helping hand.” – Sonia
“Good Company has helped me out a lot with rides and communicating with people to find ways to get in stuff done. I like the way everyone is friendly, and I want others to know that Good Company is a good company in general.” – Joziah
Individual experiences vary. Outcomes depend on your circumstances and your NDIS plan.
How Good Company can help
At Good Company we call our support workers mentors. For employment goals, a mentor can work with you on what kind of work suits you, practise the skills you need, and support you through work experience and your first weeks in a job. You can read Ken’s story on our NDIS employment support page.
We also offer NDIS mentoring and microenterprise support. Good Company supports NDIS participants in Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide. To talk about your work goals, get in touch.
Looking for local help? See our finding and keeping a job support in Perth and Melbourne.
Finding and keeping a job NDIS: frequently asked questions
What is Finding and Keeping a Job in the NDIS?
It is the Capacity Building support category that funds employment supports, such as building work skills, finding a job and getting support at work.
Is NDIS employment funding affected by the October 2026 changes?
The NDIS lists employment supports among the supports that are not included in the budget reductions that began on 1 October 2026.
Is Disability Employment Services (DES) still running?
No. Inclusive Employment Australia replaced Disability Employment Services on 1 November 2025.
Do I need to know what job I want before I ask for employment supports?
No. A broad goal about exploring work or building skills is enough to start. Your supports can help you work out what suits you.
How long does School Leaver Employment Supports last?
The NDIS describes it as individualised support for up to two years after finishing Year 12.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: Guide to employment
- NDIS: Building skills and getting a job after leaving school
- Services Australia: Get support to find work with Inclusive Employment Australia
- NDIS: Changes to support budgets from 1 October
This article is general information only and was current at 13 October 2026. NDIS rules, and how they apply to individual plans, can change, and we can’t guarantee the article is complete or up to date. It is not advice about your plan and you should not rely on it to make decisions about your supports. Check ndis.gov.au, call the NDIS on 1800 800 110, or speak with your support coordinator or plan manager. Good Company Disability Services is an independent provider and is not affiliated with the NDIS or the NDIA.
