More Support for people in Disability Business Services
In June 2007, around $100 million over five years (subsequently increased to $112 million) was provided through the following initiatives as additional support to disability business services which employ people with disability.
Additional places in disability business services
$33.71 million will be committed over five years for 750 additional supported employment places in disability business services -500 in existing high performing disability business services and 250 places in new services for areas of high demand.
The growth in disability business services (in both existing services and the establishment of new services) is a response to unmet demand for employment opportunities among people with disability who wish to work. It will also address service gaps in some regions, particularly rural areas, for younger people with disability, people with psychiatric disability and Indigenous people with disability.
In the first half of 2008, FaHCSIA will undertake a national selection process for the additional 250 new places in areas of high demand. The selection process will be based on a needs analysis of locations where access to supported employment does not meet current demand. It is expected that the 250 new places will be operational by July 2008.
The 500 places in existing business services have been allocated and became available to DEA providers on 1 January 2008.
Continuation of targeted support funding
Funding to participate in non-vocational activities will be continued for people with disability who are not able to benefit from supported employment. Funding will continue beyond the previous expiry date of May 2008 for people currently receiving this support at a cost of $31.0 million over five years.
Continuation of targeted support funding will ensure that individuals for whom supported employment is not the most appropriate service type will not lose the support they are currently receiving for non-vocational activities.
The continuation of targeted support funding for those who are currently eligible for it will benefit people with disability who are not able to participate in supported employment but for whom there is no alternative service option available.
Increased funding to disability business services
From 1 July 2007, disability business services received an additional $26.5 million over three years to provide supported employment opportunities for people with disability. The additional funding was included in the new three year funding agreement.
This initiative recognises that, like all other Australian businesses, supported employment services have experienced increased costs in doing business.
Temporary viability support
$21.8 million will be available over five years for temporary viability support to disability business services facing short-term financial difficulties in rural and regional areas where closure of the service would result in people with disability losing their jobs. Such reasons could include the impact of bushfire damage or other natural disasters.
The temporary viability support for disability business services will help ensure the continued provision of employment opportunities for people with disability when these opportunities are at risk.
FaHCSIA will make temporary viability support available on a case by case basis to assist disability business services subject to an assessment of the sustainability of the business over the longer term.
Temporary viability support will be available from July 2008.
How can I find out more on More Support for People in Disability Business Services? Contact your local state/territory office of FaHCSIA on 1300 653 227. If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the
National Relay Service to contact any of FaHCSIA's listed phone numbers.