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NDIS Youth Employment and Vocational Services

Helping young people get NDIS employment funding in place to support their pathway into work.

Start Your Pathway Into Meaningful Employment

If employment or study isn’t currently part of your NDIS plan, we can help you change that and support you to take the next step toward a meaningful future.

At Everyday Independence, we support young people to explore their goals, build confidence, and develop real pathways into work, study, or training. We also guide you through the process of accessing the NDIS employment funding, so you have the supports in place to make it happen.

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Why We’re Talking About Employment For Young People With Disabilities

In Australia, young people with disability aged 15–24* are twice as likely to be unemployed as their peers. This reflects a missed opportunity for young people, employers, and the community, alongside ongoing barriers such as systemic challenges, low expectations, and limited access to opportunities.

With the right support, young people can explore their interests, build strengths, and develop practical skills to become job ready. They can also strengthen resilience and mental wellbeing as they explore work and training pathways, setting them up for success from the start.

Teenage boy working in cafe

Why Starting Early Matters

The earlier a young person starts exploring employment, the more opportunities they have to build confidence, skills, and direction over time.

Early support means young people aren’t expected to have all the answers straight away. Instead, they’re given the space to explore what they enjoy, what they’re good at, and what kind of work environments might suit them. This helps turn uncertainty into practical next steps, rather than pressure or delay. Starting early also creates more time to build real-world experience through volunteering, training, or supported work exposure. These experiences help develop everyday skills like communication, time management, problem-solving, and independence which are essential skills for long-term employment success.

When employment exploration begins early, support can be paced and personalised. This means young people can try different pathways, adjust their goals, and build confidence gradually, rather than rushing into decisions later when time feels limited. Most importantly, early support helps shift expectations. It builds the understanding that work is possible, achievable, and something to work towards, no matter where a young person is starting from.

Help to Access NDIS Employment Funding

If employment goals aren’t currently included in your NDIS plan, or you’re unsure what funding is available, we can help you navigate the process.

Our youth lead practitioners, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and physiotherapists can help you to unlock the right supports to create real pathways into meaningful employment.

Teenage girl working at laptop

Frequently Asked Questions

What is employment funding in the NDIS?

Employment funding supports young people to build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to move into work, study, or volunteering. It can include supports like vocational assessments, job readiness programs, and ongoing coaching.

How do I know if I (or my young person) am eligible?

Many young people on the NDIS may be able to access employment supports, particularly during their teens or early adulthood. If employment goals aren’t currently included in your plan, we can help you explore eligibility and guide you through the process of adding them.

What if employment isn’t in my current NDIS plan?

That’s okay. We can support you to prepare for your next plan review or request a plan reassessment, helping you clearly outline employment goals and the supports needed to achieve them.

What if the young person isn’t ready for a job yet?

Getting started doesn’t mean going straight into a job. Early supports focus on exploring interests, building confidence, and developing foundational skills. This might include trying different activities, volunteering, or learning what a workplace is like.

What employment services does Everyday Independence offer?

Everyday Independence offers a range of employment supports designed to help young people build the skills, confidence, and direction they need to move into meaningful and achievable employment pathways.

How do we get started?

You can reach out to our team to talk through your situation. We’ll help you understand what’s possible, what funding may be available, and the next steps to get started.

What is open employment?

Open employment refers to working in a regular job in the community, alongside people with and without disability, where you are paid at standard award wages. It can include part-time, full-time, or casual roles across a wide range of industries. Open employment focuses on finding the right fit for the individual, with the option of supports in place to help build skills, confidence, and long-term success in the workplace.

Our Youth Services

We offer a range of employment supports and therapy services designed to help young people build skills, grow confidence, and move toward their work and life goals.

*Australia’s Disability Strategy

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