STEPS’ Workplace Assessors help you access government schemes and incentives, enhancing employment participation for people with disability
STEPS has over 12 years experience delivering Supported Wage Assessments and Workplace Modifications. Through this independent service, funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and carried out by qualified and skilled Assessors, more and more workplaces nationwide are becoming “disability confident” and accessible.
As part of the Federal Government’s National Panel of Assessors, STEPS Workplace Assessors also undertake Ongoing Support Assessments.
Supported Wage Assessment
Most Australians who have disability and participate in the open workforce do so at full rates of pay. However, there are some people who are unable to find or keep a job at full wage rates due to the effect of disability on their workplace productivity.
The Supported Wage System is a process that allows employers to pay wage rates based on productivity as assessed by comparing a persons output with an equivalent level employee. With the Supported Wage System, eligible people with disability can access a reliable process of productivity-based wage assessment to determine fair pay for fair work.
Supported Wage Assessments are fully funded for eligible participants by DEEWR Supported Wage Management Unit. STEPS’ Workplace Assessors provide a free service to employers, determining a worker’s productivity, with the resulting wage being paid by the employer.
The Supported Wage System operates across both federal and state workplace relations regulatory frameworks.
More information:
To find out whether you or your workplace would benefit from the supported wage system funding either contact your nearest STEPS Workplace Assessor, or contact JobAccess through the Online Enquiry Form.
Employment Assistance Fund
There is help available to pay for the cost of workplace adjustments or solutions if they are needed to accommodate a worker with disability in a job. Testimonial
While the majority of workers with disability won’t require any workplace modifications, the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) aims to make accommodating employees with disability in the workplace easier.
What is the Employmnet Assistance Fund?
The EAF pays for the costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special or adaptive equipment for eligible employees with disability. It is also available to existing employees if they have a change in duties, career progression, change in disability or a new modification becomes available that would increase their productivity.
Types of modifications and adjustments
There is no restriction to the types of modifications that can be approved under the Scheme, as long as each application meets the eligibility criteria.
Modifications previously purchased through the EAF have included:
- disability specialist IT software
- adaptive workplace tools and adapted workplaces
- vehicle related modifications.
Workplace Adjustment Tool
If you would like advice or ideas on how to make appropriate modifications and adjustments for an employee with disability, you can search our Workplace Adjustment Tool.
The Workplace Adjustment Tool contains practical ideas and solutions aimed at supporting people with disability as they complete a vast array of activities and tasks in the workplace. The tool links you to suppliers of products and solutions in your state.
Applying for funding is easy!
| To find out whether you or your workplace is eligible for EAF either contact your nearest STEPS Workplace Assessor, or contact JobAccess through the Online Enquiry Form. |
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Ongoing Support Assessments
Ongoing Support Assessments are an independent assessment to ensure employees placed through the Disability Employment Service are receiving the right level of support in the workplace.
The Workplace Assessor will work with the Disability Employment Provider, the employer and the participant themselves to compile their recommendation.
STEPS Workplace Assessors
STEPS’ Central Office - for all Workplace Assessor enquiries
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