Submission to the Australian Government Department of Social Services Next Steps in Supported Employment: Consultation on the way forward
21 July 2025
PWDA welcomed the opportunity to comment on the Discussion Paper provided by the Australian Government Department of Social Services to frame its consultation process on the future of Supported Employment.
PWDA believes that the lived experience of people with disability must inform all decision-making on matters that affect people with disability.
Despite rights enshrined in international human rights treaties, seven of which Australia is party to including the CRPD, people with disability continue to experience discrimination and poorer life outcomes across all life domains including employment, when compared with those without disability.
As the Disability Royal Commission (the Royal Commission) found, consistently poor outcomes in employment for people with disability are caused by attitudinal barriers, physical and environmental barriers, organisational barriers, and structural barriers.
PWDA acknowledges the work being undertaken by all Australian governments to improve employment outcomes for people with disability. We note and support the important establishment of the Structural Adjustment Fund and the Disability Employment Centre of Excellence.
