Employment

Returning to work

Return to work advisers are available to visit anyone with a disability at any stage of their return to work process. This can be in a hospital, home or community setting. They will provide assistance in areas such as resume writing, interview skills, workplace assessments and post-employment support.

There may be opportunities for you to return to your previous employer. The return to work adviser will discuss your needs and negotiate necessary contract amendments and workplace modifications with your employer. The adviser will also provide transitional and ongoing support to both you and your employer.

Return to work advisors are available from www.jobaccess.gov.au or contact the JobAccess Advisors on 1800 464 800 or contact SCI Workforce Employment Service.

SCI Workforce, part of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, is an employment service that offers advice, support and assistance as you make your way through the maze of programs and systems available to you.  Funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), SCI Workforce helps job seekers by providing services from pre-employment training, including job search training and career planning, through to post-employment support. Read more….

Employment Assistance Fund. Your employer can obtain assistance through the federal government’s Employment Assistance Fund for making changes or providing adaptive equipment necessary for you to work.

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Volunteering

If you are not sure about your ability to hold a job or want to experiment with new skills a good way to start is through volunteer work. Websites dedicated to volunteering opportunities include www.volunteer.com.au, www.volunteers.org.au, and www.govolunteer.com.au.

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Law relating to employing people with disabilities

The Australian Human Rights Commission has a very informative employment page setting out your rights under the law. Also check out our links to organisations involved in employment activities for people with disabilities.

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Further reading and discussion:

• Discuss in the Education and Employment section of our Forum
• Read the Employment section of SCIA's Back on Track publication.
• Crisp, Ross 1990, ‘Return to work after spinal cord injury’, Journal of Rehabilitation, January/February/March.
• Ville, I. and J. F. Ravaud 1996, ‘Work, non‑work and consequent satisfaction after spinal cord injury’, International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, vol. 19 no. 3.
• Disability in Australia: trends in prevalence, eduction, employment and community living, AIHW Bulletin 61, June 2008.
• Rowell, D. and L. B. Connelly 2008, 'Personal assistance, income and employment: the spinal injuries survey instrument (SISI) and its application in a sample of people with quadriplegia', Spinal Cord, vol 46, pp. 417-424.
• See our links to employment, education and training organisations and resources.

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For more information please contact SCInfo or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .