
For differently abled people and people with disability, Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) extends their help by supporting them physically, mentally and economically. People with moderate to permanent disability get support from these ADEs. Most common works assigned include recycling, printing, packaging, gardening etc., which does not generally require too much physical labor.
A number of grants for disability support funding have been put in place by the Australian Government that can be availed by eligible candidates/businesses.
Employment Assistance Fund
The Employment Assistance Fund or (EAF) is aimed at helping the disabled and people with psychiatric conditions to establish their own business or modify their existing business and services. This fund can be availed by the both new as well as existing workers/businessrss. Self-employed as well as jobseekers needing Auslan (Australian Sign Language) assistance too are eligible for this fund.
Following are the areas covered under the EAF scheme:
- Cost of modifications in the work environment
- Cost of work vehicles modification
- Any special equipment needed at the workplace
- Devices relevant to information and communication
- Auslan interpreting
- Any special services for disabled employees such as learning disorders and mental health conditions
- Awareness training pertaining to disability, deafness, mental health and first aid

Eligibility criteria
Apart from the fact that the disability of the applicant restricts him from performing his work, the following is the criteria that needs to be met for claiming this fund:
- Must be a permanent resident of Australian
- Must be in a job that is expected to extend up to a period of 13 weeks or more
- Must be working for at least 8 hours a week and 20 hours per week in case of self-employed
- An ongoing disability which is sure to last for a period of at least two years is a must.
The following can apply for the grant:
- any employer of a disabled person
- a disabled employee himself
- a disabled self-employed worker himself
- any job seeker requiring an Auslan Level 2 assistance
- any job seeker requiring work related technological assistance and/or special equipment relevant to his/her work or job
- Disability Employment Services or job provider, a Community Development Programme provider
Having a disabled person as your nominee too makes you eligible for this fund.
Disability Employment Services (DES)
The Australian Government has set up a number of DES’ whose aim is to help the jobseekers find a job by helping them build their resume, provide training and other activities. These services offer funds to eligible candidates for improvement as well as setting up their own business.
Disability Support Pension (DSP)
Apart from the above, people with permanent/partial disability who cannot work and those with a psychiatric condition can avail this pension too. However, the candidate claiming must meet the medical as well as non-medical rules.
A number of factors are taken into consideration to fix the rate of pension (revised in September every year). These factors in particular include the age of the claimant, minor or major, the extent of disability, etc.
To know more about the above and similar grants, please contact one of our advisors at the number mentioned below.