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NDIS Supports Explained: Everything You Need to Know about Finding and Keeping a Job

Finding and Keeping a Job is a category of NDIS Capacity Building support designed to help you gain the skills and confidence to enter the workforce. Unlike mainstream employment services (like Centrelink or DES), this NDIS funding focuses on building your individual capacity to work, rather than just placing you in a role.

That usually means paying for support to identify your skills, training to get you “job-ready,” or on-the-job support once you are employed. It recognises that you might need a different pathway to employment than the standard recruitment process.

This guide explains what Finding and Keeping a Job is intended to help with, what it looks like in everyday life and how the funding usually works. By the end, you’ll know whether this support fits your situation and what to do next.

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What is Finding and Keeping a Job Support Under the NDIS?

Finding and Keeping a Job sits within the Capacity Building budget and is intended to help you if you have employment goals but need extra support to achieve them.

In practical terms, this funds the personal support you need to build work skills or maintain employment. It is different from Disability Employment Services (DES), which is a separate government program funded by the Department of Social Services.

Common examples of Finding and Keeping a Job supports include:

  • School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES): Individualised supports available for up to two years after finishing school to build work skills and confidence.
  • Individual Employment Support: One-on-one help to write a resume, practice interviews or travel train to a workplace.
  • On-the-Job Support: A support worker who attends work with you to help you learn tasks or manage your day until you are independent.

In your NDIS plan and the myplace portal, this appears under the Capacity Building budget as the support category Finding and Keeping a Job (Category 10).

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Who Benefits from Finding and Keeping a Job Support

This support is for you if you want to work but face barriers that mainstream services cannot fully address. It suits you if you need skill-building before looking for work or ongoing support during work.

 

This support may be a good fit if you:

  • Are leaving school (Year 12) and aren’t sure what to do next.
  • Have a goal to work in open employment but lack the specific skills or confidence to apply.
  • Have lost a job in the past because you didn’t have the right support to manage the workplace environment.
  • Work in a Supported Employment (ADE) setting and want to transition to open employment.
  • Need a support worker to help you with personal care or complex tasks while you are at work.

Finding and keeping a Job is generally not for you if you are fully job-ready and just need a recruiter to find a vacancy. That is usually the role of Disability Employment Services (DES)

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What Finding and Keeping a Job Support Can Help With

These supports provide the practical, hands-on help you need to become employable and stay employed. The focus is on long-term independence in the workforce.

Depending on your arrangement, Finding and Keeping a Job can help you with:

  • Skill Development: Learning how to manage time, take instructions, work in a team or use public transport to get to work.
  • Career Planning: “Discovery” activities to find out what you are good at and what kind of job you would enjoy.
  • Work Experience: Arranging trials or volunteer roles to build your resume and experience.
  • Workplace Modifications: Funding assessments to see if your workplace needs special equipment or changes (though the equipment itself might be funded differently).
  • On-the-Job Coaching: A support worker helping you learn new tasks or navigate social interactions at work.

This support is often a stepping stone. Your goal is usually to build your skills to the point where you no longer need intensive support or can move to less intensive options.

How Finding and Keeping a Job Support is Funded Through the NDIS

Finding and Keeping a Job sits within the Capacity Building budget of your NDIS plan, under Support Category 10.

Key Funding Rules:

  1. Employment Goals: You must have an employment goal in your NDIS plan to access this funding.
  2. Not a Wage: NDIS funding cannot be used to pay your wages or the wages of a business owner. It pays for the support to let you work, not the work itself.
  3. DES vs NDIS: If you are eligible for Disability Employment Services (DES), the NDIS will usually expect you to use that system first. NDIS funding is for supports that DES cannot provide (like higher intensity skill building).

What Finding and Keeping a Job funding covers:

  • School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) providers.
  • Career counselling and vocational assessments.
  • Support workers to assist you at work (e.g., for personal care or task prompting).
  • Travel training to get to work.

What it does NOT cover:

  • Your wages or salary.
  • General business startup costs (unless it’s specialised Micro-enterprise support).
  • Standard equipment that an employer should provide (like a laptop or uniform).

How Care Decisions Helps You Find The Right Support Providers

Care Decisions is a free, independent service that helps people find disability support providers matched to their needs, NDIS plan and location.

We take the time to understand your career goals, whether you are leaving school, looking for your first job or wanting to change careers. We then prepare a personalised shortlist of providers with experience in School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), supported employment and open employment coaching.

There is no cost to you and no pressure to choose a particular provider. You remain in control of the decision at every step.

How It Works

Finding the right NDIS provider shouldn’t be overwhelming. We make it easier by connecting you with dependable, available support services that meet your needs. Our FREE service takes the hassle out of the search. Here’s how it works.
Step 1

Let’s Get Started

Share your support needs, goals, location, and preferences with your dedicated NDIS matching specialist. We’ll help you find the right providers to suit your unique situation.
Step 2

Get a Tailored Provider Options Report

Our team of trained local NDIS support specialists create a personalised report, showing only NDIS providers who are available and matched to your specific requirements, location, and the type of support you’re looking for.
Step 3

Let Us Help You Make the Most of Your NDIS Plan

Once we have sent a list of options, providers will then be in touch. We’ll also help you understand how the NDIS works, how to get the most value from your allocated budget, and how to maximise the care and support available to you. We can also assist you in comparing provider pricing and service options.

Common Questions About Finding and Keeping a Job Support

What is the difference between NDIS employment support and DES?

Disability Employment Services (DES) is a free government program that helps people find jobs and keep them. NDIS employment support is for you if you need more help than DES can provide—usually to build skills before looking for work or for intensive support at work.

You must tell your NDIS planner or LAC that you have a goal to work. Funding is not automatic; it is only added if you have a specific goal like “I want to get a job” or “I want to build work skills.” You may also need to show why mainstream services (like DES) aren’t enough for your needs.

Can I use this funding to start my own business?

No. The NDIS pays for the supports you need to work (like a support worker or training), but it never pays your actual wage. Your employer pays your wage.​

Yes. Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) are supported workplaces. You can use your NDIS funding to pay for the “support” component of working there, while the ADE pays your wage.

If you lose your job, your NDIS funding can be used to help you find a new one, build new skills or address the reasons why the previous job didn’t work out. You should review your goals with your Support Coordinator or LAC.