21 August, 2009
Ministers Media release
Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib today announced
the final details of the new Disability Employment Services model that will deliver
a more streamlined and flexible system with services provided on demand.
Senator Mark Arbib also confirmed the new services would begin on
March 1, 2010.
“The new Disability Employment Service includes two clearly defined and
demand-driven programs, along with improvements to the Employer
Incentives Scheme,” Senator Arbib said.
“A significant feature of the new program is that the Government is lifting
existing caps on services. This means thousands of extra people will get
access to the personalised disability employment services they need.
“We have also taken into account the feedback provided through the exposure
draft consultation and decided to extend the Invitation to Treat to all Disability
Employment Network capped and uncapped providers.”
While the Government is committed to, and believes in, the benefits of
competitive tendering as the best way of ensuring job seekers receive
access to the highest quality services, it was decided more work needed
to be done with the sector to avoid unnecessarily disrupting the lives of job
seekers and their families.
Eligible providers will now also have access to a Capacity Building Fund to
help them make a smooth transition to the new model.
“We are committed to ensuring job seekers have the best possible assistance
from their provider and that providers have every possible opportunity to
benefit from expert assistance,” Senator Arbib said.
“This is a huge win for job seekers with a disability, the community and
disability providers. We have listened to the hard-working people in the
sector and acted on their concerns.”
Senator Arbib said the new Disability Employment Services are the result
of the commitment demonstrated by current providers, advocates and people
with disability throughout the Australian Government’s Review of Disability
Employment Services.
“The Government’s response to the widespread and welcome feedback on the
Exposure Draft of the Request for Tender released on 20 May includes a
number of extra features to the final model and purchasing arrangements.”
Under the new system there are two simplified streams:
Program A is for job seekers with a disability, injury or health condition who
need the assistance of a disability employment service and who might need
irregular or occasional support in the workplace.
Program B is designed specifically for job seekers with permanent disability
who require regular ongoing support in the workplace.
New features of the service include:
Directly sourcing providers for the new Program B by extending the Invitation
to Treat to all Disability Employment Network Capped and Uncapped providers;
extending the apprenticeship bonus fees to all apprenticeships; and
introducing new provisions for circumstances where a job seeker loses their job
as a result of the global financial crisis.
Senator Arbib said extending the Invitation to Treat to all Disability Employment
Network providers would maximise stability for job seekers and employers
currently receiving services. “We know this is important to people with a
disability, their families and carers and employers,” he said.
About 55 per cent of Program A nationally will remain with CRS Australia,
a government provider. The other 45 per cent will be tendered. This will
create a significant level of stability for Vocational Rehabilitation Service job
seekers and employers.
“We value the work Vocational Rehabilitation Service providers are doing and
believe that stability and continuity for job seekers and employers accessing
these services is also important.”
This service however is subject to the Mandatory Procurement Procedures of
the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and the Government's
international obligations mean that it was not possible to issue an Invitation
to Treat.
The Request for Tender for Disability Employment Services, released today,
covers the: remaining 45 per cent of Program A business; and elements of the
Employer Incentives Scheme, including the: National Panel of Assessors to
provide Supported Wage System assessments, Ongoing Support Assessment
and Workplace Modifications assessments; National Disability Recruitment
Coordinator; and JobAccess service.
Tenders for the new Disability Employment Services – Program A and the
Employer Incentives Scheme opens today and close at 7pm (AEST) on
October 1, 2009. Successful tenderer's will be announced in December.
WCV's: Look out any injured worker on disability !
As if they haven't already had enough of being pushed and shoved by worksafe,
now the Government are going to have their turn too!
If worksafe was doing their job in the first place, then we would have all injured
workers returning to work not being pensioned off instead of compensated.
Mr Arbib should look at the stats on injured workers being pensioned off and
left with no future due to the carelessness of their employers
Instead of bullying the disabled why doesnt he finish fixing what Bracks started
and include all injured workers in their legislation changes which inturn would
diminish the numbers on disability.
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