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Questions about Disability Employment Services

What are Disability Employment Services?

Disability Employment Services (DES) is an Australian Government initiative that helps people with disability find and maintain meaningful employment. EPIC Assist is a Disability Employment Services provider. We are experts in providing a personalised service to help people with disability achieve their employment goals.

What type of services do Disability Employment Services providers offer?

There are two types of services which Disability Employment Services providers offer.

Disability Management Services

Disability Management Services (DMS) help people who have a disability, illness or injury find and keep a job.  Job seekers may then need occasional support at work to succeed in their role for the long-term.

Employment Support Services

Employment Support Services (ESS) help people who have a permanent disability, illness or injury find and keep a job. Job seekers need long-term, regular support from their Disability Service provider to ensure they continue to succeed in their role.

EPIC is a provider of both types of service.

How can I access Disability Employment Services as a job seeker?

Job seekers are usually referred to Disability Employment Service providers through Centrelink. You can call the Centrelink employment services line to find out if you are eligible to access Disability Employment Services. You have the power to choose EPIC as your Disability Employment Service provider. When you call Centrelink explain that you would like EPIC to be your provider.

Alternatively, you can contact EPIC directly, and we will work with Centrelink to ensure you can access our services.

Find out more about getting started with EPIC.

Can I transfer to EPIC if I’m with another Disability Employment Services provider?

If you are unhappy with your current provider’s services, you can make the move to EPIC today. We deliver Disability Employment Services in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania.

To request a transfer, call the Job Services Australia Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260 and explain that you would like EPIC Assist to be your new Disability Employment Services provider.

Alternatively, give us a call! We can talk you through the process of changing providers and answer any questions you may have.

We look forward to working with you.

How do I choose which Disability Employment Services provider to work with?

When choosing which Disability Employment Services provider best suits your needs, it’s important you have the information you need to make your decision. You may like to talk to your friends about their experiences, or check the provider’s star rating.

At EPIC we work hard to make sure our job seekers have a positive experience and are likely to refer us to their friends. Over the past 2 years we have asked our job seekers for their feedback about their experience with us. More than 5,000 customers have told us our strengths, and ways we can improve – and we’re working hard to make sure we do!  We want to make sure our customers always receive a 10/10 experience.

What can I expect from EPIC’s Disability Employment Services as a job seeker?

When you’re looking for a job, EPIC will:

  • discover your interests, strengths and talents
  • develop and regularly review your personalised job plan
  • create a great resume, prepare job applications, practice interview skills and attend job interviews
  • identify your skill gaps and offer additional training
  • connect with like-minded employers who align with your career goals.

When you have a job, we will:

  • support you on-the-job in your workplace
  • assist you to travel to and from your workplace
  • purchase appropriate work clothes
  • adjust your workplace to suit your needs.

Read more about what to expect as an EPIC job seeker.

How is EPIC different to other Disability Employment Services providers?

EPIC’s point of difference lies in how we interact with our job seekers and employers once you are in your role. We stay on your employment journey for as long as you need us. That means we’ll work alongside you in your workplace, teaching and supporting you until you feel comfortable without us – that could be 6 months, a year, or longer.

This is something that is not typical in the Disability Employment Services sector. By providing this individualised service, we exceed the Australian average in keeping people with disability in work for more than 12 months by almost 10%. In two of our major cohorts, Autism and Intellectual Impairment, 6 out of 10 people continue to be employed after 1 year.

What if I no longer want to work with EPIC?

At EPIC we understand the journey to employment is not always easy.

We believe that all people with disability have a right to meaningful employment. We will do whatever it takes to help you find a job you love, no matter the circumstances.

However, if you are unhappy with the service you are receiving, please talk to your Employment Consultant or Office Manager. We will work with you to ensure you are getting the support you need.

You can also submit your suggestions for improvement anonymously via our feedback system.

What’s next?

If you would like to find out more about becoming a job seeker with EPIC contact us today.

If you are a job seeker with disability, read more about how we can help you find and keep a job you love.

If you are an employer, we can help you hire an employee with disability who is the perfect fit for your business.