School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
NDIS-funded Transition to Work Program
Empowering Young People with Disability to Thrive Beyond School
At Good Company Disability Services, we understand that the transition from school to adult life is both exciting and challenging—especially for young people living with disability. Our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program is designed to bridge the gap between school and employment, empowering young people to discover their potential, develop valuable life and work skills, and take their next steps with confidence and clarity.
Whether your goal is to gain open employment, participate in supported work, enrol in further training, or become more independent in the community, our SLES team is here to walk alongside you.
What is SLES?
SLES is a specialised, capacity-building support funded under the NDIS Core Supports – Finding and Keeping a Job category. It is designed specifically for NDIS participants aged 16–22 years who are preparing to leave, or have recently left, secondary school and are not yet ready for open employment.
Rather than pushing people into work before they’re ready, SLES provides the foundational life and employment skills needed to build readiness over 1 to 2 years. Participants work toward realistic, individualised employment goals with the support of qualified, experienced staff.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible for SLES if:
You are a current or recent school leaver aged 16 to 22
You have an NDIS plan with Finding and Keeping a Job – School Leaver Employment Supports funding
You are not yet ready for open employment but are motivated to develop skills for work or training
You would benefit from a transition period to build confidence, social capacity, and workplace readiness
If you’re unsure whether you or your family member qualifies, contact us—we’re happy to guide you through the eligibility process or liaise with your support coordinator or LAC.
Ready to Start the Journey Beyond School?
What Supports Are Included?
Our SLES program is flexible and tailored to each participant’s goals and support needs. Depending on your individual plan and aspirations, supports may include:
🧰 Work Readiness Training
Our Work Readiness Training equips participants with the essential life and interpersonal skills they’ll need to thrive in the workplace—and in daily life. We know that before someone can succeed at a job, they need to feel confident, capable, and in control of their routines and relationships. That’s why we focus on practical, foundational development in a supportive environment.
Key Areas of Focus:
🗣️ Communication and Active Listening
We help participants learn how to express themselves clearly and respectfully, listen to others, ask for help when needed, and respond appropriately in workplace conversations. Whether it’s greeting a colleague or participating in a team meeting, strong communication builds connection and professionalism.
⏰ Time Management and Routines
Participants learn to manage their day effectively—understanding how to be on time, stick to schedules, prioritise tasks, and stay on track during a shift. We use visual supports, planners, apps and role-play to practise real-world timekeeping skills.
🗂️ Organisational Skills
From remembering appointments to keeping a work bag tidy, we explore strategies to stay organised in both life and work settings. These skills help participants reduce stress, take initiative, and increase their independence.
🌟 Self-Motivation and Confidence Building
Through personal goal-setting, positive feedback, and small wins, we build self-esteem and encourage a growth mindset. We support participants to recognise their achievements, overcome self-doubt, and believe in their ability to contribute meaningfully.
😌 Stress Management and Emotional Regulation
Learning to handle challenges, frustration, and change is vital for employment success. We work can support you to implement therapist tools and techniques to recognise emotions, stay calm under pressure, and bounce back from setbacks—whether it’s dealing with a busy shift or receiving constructive feedback.
🧭 Employment Preparation
Our Employment Preparation sessions are all about getting job-ready with practical, hands-on support. We take the mystery out of applying for work and build real confidence in each participant’s ability to approach and succeed in employment settings.
Core Support Areas:
📄 Resume and Cover Letter Development
Participants are supported to create professional, personalised resumes that highlight their strengths, experiences, and goals. We also assist with writing clear and engaging cover letters tailored to specific job types or industries.
🎤 Mock Interviews and Feedback Sessions
We offer regular opportunities to practise job interviews in a safe, supportive space. Participants learn how to answer common questions, present themselves with confidence, and receive constructive, encouraging feedback to improve with each attempt.
🧑💼 Understanding Employer Expectations
From punctuality to workplace behaviour, we explore what employers look for in a great team member. We help participants understand how to follow instructions, ask questions, take responsibility, and contribute positively to a team environment.
🔍 Identifying Suitable Job Types
Not every job is right for every person—and that’s okay. We work with participants to explore their interests, strengths, sensory preferences and communication styles to identify the types of work environments and roles they may enjoy and succeed in.
⚖️ Navigating Workplace Rights and Responsibilities
We support participants to be informed about their workplace rights under the law, including fair pay, safety, inclusion and how to speak up if something feels wrong. We also cover responsibilities like dress code, workplace conduct, and respecting others.
Real Plans. Real Skills. Real Futures.
Turning Possibility into Progress: Your Path to Employment
At Good Company Disability Services, we believe that everyone has something valuable to offer—and that with the right support, every young person can find their place in the world of work.
Through our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program, we don’t just teach job skills—we unlock potential, nurture strengths, and walk alongside young people as they take confident steps toward a future filled with opportunity.
Imagine What's Possible
What if your dream job wasn’t just a dream?
What if you had the skills, the plan, and the people behind you to help you get there?
Whether you want to work with animals, serve customers, become a barista, fix cars, work in tech, or build your own small business—we’re here to help you take that vision and turn it into a reality.
Your journey might not look like everyone else’s—and that’s perfectly okay. We meet you where you are and help you move at your pace, toward goals that truly matter to you.
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
SLES stands for School Leaver Employment Supports, a capacity-building support funded by the NDIS for young people with disability aged 16 to 22. It helps participants build the practical skills, confidence, and experience needed to move from school into employment, volunteering, or further training.
You may be eligible for SLES if:
You are aged between 16 and 22
You have left school or are about to leave school
You have funding for Finding and Keeping a Job – School Leaver Employment Supports in your NDIS plan
You’re not quite ready to start open employment but want to prepare for it over time
If you're unsure whether you're eligible, we’re happy to talk you through the process. You can also speak with your support coordinator, or with the NDIS directly.
Most participants engage in SLES for up to two years, but the length of time depends on your NDIS plan and your personal goals. Some people may need a few months to build skills, while others benefit from a longer journey.
We regularly review progress with you to ensure your support remains relevant and goal-focused.
Activities vary based on your goals and interests but may include:
Work readiness training (e.g. time management, communication, teamwork)
Employment preparation (e.g. resume building, mock interviews)
Volunteering or work experience in real settings
Travel training and building independence
Goal planning, mentoring, and confidence-building sessions
We also offer exposure to different industries so you can find out what kinds of work you enjoy and where you thrive.
Absolutely. SLES is designed to be flexible. If you’re studying part-time, volunteering, or building your skills in other ways, we can design a plan that fits around your other commitments.
Yes—when you’re ready.
While SLES is not a job placement service, we support you to build the skills, confidence, and experience that lead to employment. We work alongside your Disability Employment Services (DES) or other relevant services to support you to achieve the best outcome.
Our goal is to help you transition smoothly into:
Open or supported employment
Further education or training (e.g. TAFE, short courses)
Volunteering or community participation
Disability Employment Services (DES)
We’ll support you to create a personalised exit plan and make sure you’re connected to the right people for the next stage of your journey.
To access SLES, you’ll need:
NDIS funding under “Finding and Keeping a Job” – School Leaver Employment Supports
A clear employment or transition-related goal in your plan
Speak to your LAC, support coordinator, or planner and let them know you’re interested. We can also provide a letter of support or service quote to help you secure the right funding during a plan review.
Yes—we encourage it!
Families, carers, and guardians play a vital role in supporting young people during this important transition. We keep families informed, involve them in planning where appropriate, and provide regular updates. We also respect the participant’s right to make independent decisions wherever possible.
We offer SLES support in:
Perth, WA
Melbourne, VIC
Support may be delivered in small groups, one-on-one, in the community, or at our service locations. We tailor the setting and style of support to suit each person’s needs and learning style.
At Good Company Disability Services, we:
Offer genuine choice and control in how support is delivered
Create a positive, strengths-based environment
Focus on enjoyable learning, not just outcomes
Work closely with families and coordinators to ensure transparency
Have a flexible, personalised approach—no cookie-cutter programs
Our goal isn’t just to get you into a job—it’s to help you find confidence, purpose, and pride in what you can achieve.