The McGowan Government will fund Western Australian Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) to help them take on employees from Activ Foundation.
Ability WA (Goodwill Enterprises), Alinea (ParaQuad), Good Sammy, Intelife, Westcare, and Workpower will all receive an initial grant of up to $100,000.
This will help them develop information about the workplace and opportunities and enable the ADEs to provide a dedicated point of contact for affected Activ Foundation employees.
The State Government announced earlier this year that it would provide $4 million in funding to assist with the transition to the new federal funding model, providing equitable treatment of ADEs in WA.
The grants announced today are the first instalment of this funding, which will allow the enterprises to build their capacity, develop contemporary service models and create work opportunities for impacted supported employees of Activ Foundation.
Activ Foundation announced in May 2022 its intention to close its large-scale industrial work sites in WA, where more than 750 supported employees with disability currently work.
Activ Foundation is one of eight independently owned and operated ADEs in WA, which provided training and supported employment for people with disability, including people with mental illness.
Last month, the State and Commonwealth Governments formed a special taskforce to oversee the transition of Activ employees, with representatives from industry and disability advocates.
Activ Foundation participants can contact the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for assistance with the transition by phone at 1800 800 100.
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"This funding underlines the McGowan Government's commitment to people with disability and the sectors that support them.
"Many of the people employed at Activ have told us they want to continue to work in an environment very similar to their current arrangements at Activ, and we want to ensure they are continued this opportunity with another ADE in Western Australia.
"The McGowan Government is working with Western Australia's other Australian Disability Enterprises to find options that may suit some of Activ's supported employees, should they choose to join another ADE.
"This includes working with other ADEs in developing new employment possibilities.
"Supported employees and their families need access to information that will assist them with finding alternative employment options.
"Importantly, people with disability need choice and control over what happens to them during this process."
