Issue 141
19 October 2009
It’s hard to believe it’s nearly Christmas time again – you are probably already thinking about your corporate Christmas cards and gifts and where you might source something different to impress your customers and supporters.
There are a range of Australian Disability Enterprises that design, print and distribute high quality Christmas cards, and a number that make Christmas goodies including puddings. Support your sector by buying from another Australian Disability Enterprise – because it’s more than good business.
If your business creates Christmas cards or other Christmas related products make sure your listing on the Australian Disability Enterprises website is up to date to ensure customers are able to find you. To update your keywords or other listing details email your amendments to australiandisabilityenterprises@fahcsia.gov.au.
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Are you a social enterprise? Does your organisation trade (goods, services, government contracts etc.) to fulfil a public or community benefit. If ‘yes’, we would like to invite you to help us with some important research: Australia’s first national online survey of the social enterprise sector.
This project is being conducted by the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies at the Queensland University of Technology in conjunction with Social Traders. The project is called FASES - Finding Australia’s Social Enterprise Sector - and from the information we collect we will build a searchable public directory of Australia’s social enterprises.
People who work in social enterprises, government and citizens will be able to find what social enterprises are out there, how they run, how they benefit their communities and what goods and services they provide. It will present opportunities for people to become involved with or support social enterprises, as well as generating learning opportunities by helping like-minded organisations to connect with each other.
The survey takes 15-25 minutes to complete. We are seeking one response per organisation. Eligible organisations that complete the survey will go into a draw for $1500 of organisational development services from the social enterprise of their choice.
You can find the survey at and further information about the project and how information will be used at FASES (www.socialeconomy.net.au) The survey will be open until Monday 2 November, 2009.
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As part of the Award Modernisation process the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has released the exposure drafts for a new Supported Employment Services Award.
Details on this Exposure draft are at the following electronic link: Supported Employment Services Award 2010
The Award will commence as of 1 January 2010. Transitional provisions in the Awards cover specific minimum wage and loading arrangements and will be implemented over a four year period from the commencement date. Where minimum employment conditions are not identified in the Awards, they are specified in the National Employment Standards.
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Fifteen exceptional Australians have been announced as finalists for the 2009 National Disability Awards.
The finalists were selected from more than 240 nominations received across the five award categories. Nominations were of extremely high calibre and brought to light many remarkable outcomes and achievements.
The 2009 National Disability Award finalists are:
| Patricia Davies | Riverwood | NSW |
| Robert Strike | Merrylands | NSW |
| Sue Gordon | Toowoomba | QLD |
| Amanda Wait | Port Lincoln | SA |
| Dudley Afford | Cowandilla | SA |
| Sereako Treloggen | Tully | QLD |
| Tina Zeleznik | Edwardstown | SA |
| Steven Farrugia | South Nowra | >NSW |
| Suzanne Colbert | Sydney | NSW |
| Jacki Greenow | St Marys | NSW |
| Dr John MacPherson | Brisbane | QLD |
| Michael Taggart | Salisbury North | SA |
| Ann Slater | Narre Warren | VIC |
| Melissa Noonan | East Doncaster | VIC |
| Caroline Conlon | Botany | NSW |
Congratulations to the finalists, and thank you to everyone who nominated for an award this year!
Award finalists will be recognised at the National Disability Awards Ceremony to be held at Parliament House in Canberra on 23 November 2009. A recipient in each award category will be announced on the night.
The National Disability Awards are part of the Australian Government's celebration of International Day of People with Disability. The awards celebrate and acknowledge the achievements and contributions that individuals with disability make to our community, and recognise individuals within our community who have contributed to the disability sector.
For more information visit the International Day of People with Disability website.
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You are required to enter details about a supported employee’s weekly wages and hours into FOFMS when a supported employee obtains an employment outcome. Updates should be made when a change in the supported employee’s wages or standard hours of work occurs. For example, after a new wage assessment is completed or there is an increase or reduction to the supported employee’s weekly hours.
If your supported employee’s hours vary from week to week because of seasonal or other fluctuations then an average should be applied, based on a quarter year.
If a supported employee has a casual work arrangement then an average can also be applied, based on either a fortnightly/monthly period, for example:
You should make a note on the client’s file indicating which of these averaging processes you have used to determine the Weekly Wage and Hours data contained in FOFMS.
You must enter the weekly wages and hours before a Disability Maintenance Instrument (DMI) Assessment can be completed on FOFMS.
A step-by-step guide to updating these fields is available from the Case Based Funding Helpdesk. The Helpdesk can be contacted on 1800 034 887 or at Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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The Case Based Funding (CBF) Helpdesk can now be contacted on a new fax number, which is (02) 6133 8340. All Work Based Personal Assistance claims, Australian Apprenticeship claims and any other information that needs to be faxed to the Helpdesk can be sent using this number.
Please contact the CBF Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au if you have any questions.
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The new DMI Guidelines were issued to all Australian Disability Enterprises in July 2009. The aim of the guidelines is to provide a consistent approach to the requirements set out in the Disability Employment Assistance (DEA) Funding Agreement for Australian Disability Enterprises. Service providers are required to complete DMIs in accordance with these Guidelines.
By 1 January 2010 all Disability Enterprises should meet the new DMI Guidelines Version 4. Therefore, from October 2009, Australian Disability Enterprises need to have their systems and practices in place to ensure that all DMIs completed on or after 1 January 2010 are compliant with the new guidelines.
The new guidelines replace Version 3 - Annexure B to the Additional Procedures and Information which form part of your existing 2007 – 2010 Funding Agreement and are available on the FaHCSIA website. Please note some of the key steps in the DEA/DMI process for all new supported employees are as follows:
The evidence compiled includes all critical incident and external reports applicable to work, as well as observational evidence compiled over enough working days, that is:
The evidence must reflect the frequency of support provided and be related to the DMI domains. Should you have any queries about the new Guidelines, please contact your state office contract manager, or the Case Based Funding (CBF) Helpdesk on 1800 034 887 or at Helpdesk.CBF@fahcsia.gov.au.
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The Department reminds Australian Disability Enterprises that FaHCSIA funds the provision of Employment Assistance services to people with disability. This is stated under sub-Item B3.1 of the Schedule to your DEA Agreement 2007-10.
The target group is defined in the Disability Services Act 1986 (Cth). The target group for the purposes of the Act consists of persons with disability that:
You should not claim DEA funding from FaHCSIA for people without disability.
FaHCSIA can take action against any organisation in breach of their agreement and there may be serious implications for organisations who are incorrectly claiming DEA payments for other purposes.
If you are aware your organisation is claiming Case Base Funding for people who do not have disability, you should contact your local state and territory contract manager immediately.
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41 Tasmanians have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian Community and for their support of Australian Disability Enterprises at a ceremony in Glenorchy recently.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, Bill Shorten MP presented Certificates of Service to supported employees of Oak Tasmania to mark their 30 years and 40 years of service in an Australian Disability Enterprise.
Oak Tasmania CEO John Paton, said all of the supported employees recognised have been employed at one of five Australian Disability Enterprises run by Oak Tasmania – the State’s largest employer of people with disability.
“Oak Tasmania provides meaningful work opportunities and certificate-based training and support for 141 Tasmanians with disability, and we have been providing these opportunities to Tasmanians since 1953.
“Our supported employees contribute significantly to the success of our five Australian Disability Enterprises that operate in the commercial market just like any other business. We are indeed fortunate to employ loyal and long-serving employees who take immense pride in their work.”
Mr Paton said Oak Tasmania’s business enterprises were extremely well regarded in local, national and international markets – where the quality of their products and high-levels of customer service provide a significant point of difference for retail and trade customers.
“Our supported employees enjoy coming to work and pride themselves on being productive members of the community. There is no better example of real, evidence-based outcomes for disadvantaged Tasmanians, or social inclusion policies at work - than those demonstrated by Oak Tasmania’s business enterprises and support programs,” Mr Paton said.
Three of Oak Tasmania’s five Australian Disability Enterprises are located in Glenorchy: Walkabout Industries, Oak Sewing Services and Mailhouse Tasmania. Completing the broad range of businesses operated by Oak Tasmania are Tahune Fields Nursery at Lucaston, and Oakdale Industries in Warrane.
“Oak Tasmania’s business enterprises contributed more than 60% to the Organisation’s total revenue in 2008; with the State Government and Australian Government providing 19% and 16% of total revenue, respectively,” Mr Paton said.
Oak Tasmania employs 141 supported employees and 112 able-bodied staff in Tasmania, has a turnover of approximately $12m, and is a Non-profit, Charitable organisation that also relies on grants and donations to support the provision of services to Tasmanians with a disability.
For more information about Oak Tasmania check out their listings on the Australian Disability Enterprises Website.
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