CoAct, a leading not-for-profit employment services provider, has been selected to deliver the Australian Government's new disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia, through its national network of not-for-profit service partners. Commencing 1 November 2025, the program will support people with disability and long-term illnesses to prepare for, find and maintain work and grow their career.
Replacing the current Disability Employment Services (DES) program, Inclusive Employment Australia represents a shift toward a more tailored, community-focused model championing choice and control for jobseekers and enhancing engagement with local employers to drive inclusive hiring practices.
As Australia's leading network of not-for-profit community service providers, CoAct was awarded delivery of the Inclusive Employment Australia contract nationally, ensuring consistent, community-driven employment support across Australia with CoAct's broad national reach.
CoAct will deliver Inclusive Employment Australia through its network of service partners, with two new partners, The Bridge Inc. and MCM, joining the network.
Generalist providers:
Ability Options
BUSY Ability
IMPACT Community Services
The Bridge Inc.
Specialist providers:
MCM
MS Plus
MS Queensland
MSWA
VisAbility
CoAct CEO Simon Brown said the result highlights the Department of Social Services recognising the value and expertise of not-for-profit providers like CoAct. He thanked returning service partners for their ongoing loyalty and collaboration and welcomed the two new partners joining the growing network.
"Our co-designed model brings together deep local knowledge, specialist expertise, and lived experience to deliver high-quality services tailored to the diverse needs of jobseekers and employers across Australia," Mr Brown said.
"As our network continues to grow, so does our shared vision of building communities where everyone can reach their potential through meaningful and sustainable work."
Leonie Carlile, Group CEO of The BUSY Group, said that being part of the CoAct network gives not-for-profit providers access to efficiency and scale they couldn't achieve on their own.
"We see enormous value in leveraging CoAct's network model to deliver our employment services. We can focus on delivering our for-purpose mission locally, while CoAct acts as the engine room behind the scenes," Ms. Carlile said.
Through the Inclusive Employment Australia tender outcome, the CoAct network will be one of Australia's largest specialist providers, with existing CoAct partners MS Plus, MS Queensland and MSWA all delivering specialist services catering to people with Multiple Sclerosis and other acquired neurological conditions. While CoAct service partner VisAbility will deliver specialist support for people with vision impairment and sensory disability. CoAct also welcomes MCM to the network who will be delivering a specialist youth service in Melbourne.
MS Queensland CEO David Curd welcomed the appointment to deliver services under the new Inclusive Employment Australia program.
"As a non-for-profit specialist provider with the CoAct network, we're proud to be part of a new era in disability employment that truly recognises the diversity of people's needs and aspirations. Inclusive Employment Australia represents a positive step forward, offering a more tailored, strengths-based approach," Mr Curd said.
"For people living with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and other acquired neurological disorders, employment support must be flexible, consistent, and grounded in understanding the complex, lifelong, often invisible and fluctuating nature of their health."
"Securing a specialist contract under Inclusive Employment Australia is a shared achievement for the not-for-profit sector, and we're delighted to be part of the collaborative effort that recognises that meaningful employment is not just possible, but achievable, when the right support is in place."
Sean Spencer, General Manager – MCM Services, echoed Mr Curd, praising the collaborative approach with the CoAct network and the opportunity to make a real difference for young people through tailored employment support.
"At MCM, we've seen the barriers young people with disability face in finding and keeping meaningful employment. Being selected as a specialist youth provider for Inclusive Employment Australia is an exciting opportunity to change that. This program reflects our long-held belief that employment support must be person-centred, flexible, and grounded in dignity," Mr Spencer said.
"Through a genuine co-design process with CoAct, we've developed a collaborative and innovative service delivery model tailored to the real-world needs of young people with disability. We're proud to bring our expertise and wraparound support to help young people achieve their goals - and to contribute to building a more inclusive workforce across Victoria."
Together with its network of service partners, CoAct looks forward to continuing its mission of empowering people with disability to achieve their employment goals, while working closely with local employers to build more inclusive, diverse, and resilient workplaces in its communities.
