The Commonwealth Government funds a range of disability employment assistance measures for people with disabilities through the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business (DEWRSB) and the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS).
The objective of the FaCS Disability Employment Assistance Program is to foster the development of environments and supports which maximise opportunities for participation and choice in work for people with disabilities. The program is administered by the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) and assists in developing individuals' independence and their ability to participate in the labour market.
In 1997 the Commonwealth Government embarked on a process of reform of disability employment assistance. The principles underpinning reform are to:
- enhance job seeker access, choice and employment outcomes;
- make funding more equitable;
- provide employment assistance to as many people as possible within existing funding; and
- promote flexibility and innovation.
Fundamental to the reform of disability employment assistance is the development of appropriate funding arrangements. Consequently the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) is trialing a particular approach to funding called Case Based Funding. This is an approach to purchasing employment assistance based on the level of need of individual job seekers with disabilities, and the achievement of specified outcomes. Such an approach is designed to utilise existing funding more equitably and effectively, and at the same time improve access to assistance.
FaCS wishes to ensure that funding reforms can be delivered in rural and remote locations. The Case Based Funding Trial, which commenced in November 1999, and runs for two years, is being conducted in rural locations but across more traditional service delivery models.
This study is being undertaken to identify funding arrangements which will focus on individual needs and outcomes but also take into account issues specific to rural and remote locations. The results of this study will feed into the evaluation of the Case Based Funding Trial.
The findings of this study aim to inform Government consideration of the funding reforms. Innovative ways of delivering employment assistance are identified which could be developed (ie piloted) in rural and remote locations over the next two years.
Aim of the study
The aim of this study is to identify necessary funding principles to enable innovation in disability employment assistance service provision in rural and remote locations, particularly for Indigenous job seekers in remote communities.
The methodology for the study is contained in Appendix 1.
The report is set out as follows:
Section 2 provides a description of disability employment assistance in rural and remote areas, including the number and location of services, definitions of remoteness, unmet demand, operating costs, labour market conditions, and other issues.
Section 3 summarises current funding reforms including case based funding, and discusses implications for employment assistance in rural and remote locations. Three funding principles are discussed and possible mechanisms for adjusting funding levels are examined.
Section 4 describes current and potential strategies for improving access for job seekers with disabilities to disability employment assistance and employment opportunities, and improving the cost effectiveness of services. Strategies include case management, collaboration, diversified service delivery structures, expanded employment options and community development, transport and technology.
In Section 5 a number of innovative models for employment assistance service delivery are presented. These have been developed based on the funding principles identified in Section 3, and from the strategies identified in Section 4.