Feedback sought on DES discussion paper

The discussion paper aims to centre those with lived experience.

The Disability Employment Services (DES) Quality Framework discussion paper is open for public consultation.

Feedback is invited from DES providers, peak bodies, disability advocacy groups and individuals, with the discussion paper aiming to include the voices of those with lived experience.

The release of the draft follows the federal government’s October budget announcement that the Disability Employment Services Program will be extended to 30 June 2025, with a new DES model to replace it from July 2025.

Social services minister Amanda Rishworth said improving employment outcomes for people with disability is a key focus of Australia’s Disability Strategy and more broadly for the federal government.

She said while the new DES model is constructed, adjustments would be made to the current DES program “to improve service quality and – importantly – embed the views and feedback of participants in how quality is measured”.

“It is critical we ensure our Disability Employment Services providers are delivering high quality services that best meet the needs of people with disability and that their views and needs are at the core of these services,” she said.

Ongoing consultation with disability representative groups, current DES providers and other organisations in the disability sector will inform the new framework, which has been developed with reference to a range of existing employment and disability services performance frameworks. It has five so-called ‘quality elements’:

• Participants’ rights
• Quality of service
• Provider capability and governance
• Feedback and complaints, and
• Formal assurance.

 View the discussion paper and provide feedback online. Submissions close on 26 February 2023.