Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA)

Your career. Your future. Your way.

If you’re living with disability, injury, illness or a health condition and want support to find a job you enjoy, or to build a lasting career, we’re here for you. CoAct Connect and IMPACT Community Services deliver the Australian Government’s new specialist disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA), across our local communities.

Locations we service:

• Hervey Bay & Maryborough: 4620, 4621, 4625, 4626, 4650, 4655, 4659, 4662
• Gladstone, Agnes Water & Biloela 4674, 4676, 4677, 4678, 4680, 4694, 4695, 4697, 4715, 4716, 4718, 4719

What is Inclusive Employment Australia?

IEA helps people with disability, injury or a health condition find, keep and grow in work. You can choose your provider and stay with them as long as you need. You don’t have to be on a government payment to join, and you can participate even if you’re looking to work only a few hours per week.

Who IEA is for?

IEA is for people who:

• have a verified disability, injury, mental health condition or treated illness and want help to find and keep a suitable job
• may have limited work capacity, or are not receiving Centrelink payments
• are school leavers or NDIS participants wanting support into open employment
• are already working but need help to keep their job due to their condition (see Ongoing Support – Work Assist below).

If you’re unsure about eligibility, give us a call and we’ll guide you.

How we help (your support, your way)

Every person’s goals and needs are different. We listen first, then tailor your plan. Along the way we can help you:

• understand and plan your job or career goals
• build confidence and skills, including access to short courses and workshops
• connect with local employers and inclusive workplaces
• link in with allied health and community supports
• craft resumes and cover letters that stand out
• find and apply for suitable jobs or training
• prepare for interviews
• access practical help like transport, work clothing or licences
• use our online Campus to learn, track progress and stay updated
• find and apply for funding, including workplace modifications and assistive technology.

Once you start work, we keep checking in for your first year and beyond to help you settle in, grow and stay in a role that suits your goals and personal needs.

Your support team

You’ll have a friendly, specialist team around you:

• Client Care Assistant – gets you started, books appointments and supports with consent and privacy paperwork
• Employment Support Consultant – works one to one with you on assessments, your tailored Career Action Plan and job readiness
• Diversity Recruitment Specialist – connects you with employers, helps with resumes, interviews and advocates for accessible workplaces
• Workforce Retention Consultant – once you’re in work, helps you settle in, problem solve, plan your career and access modifications or services if you need them.

Family, friends or an advocate are welcome to be involved at any time.

Already working? Ongoing Support (Work Assist)

If you’re having difficulty meeting the essential parts of your job because of your disability, injury or health condition, we can help you stay in work through Ongoing Support (also known as Work Assist). We can:

• assess your workplace and role
• suggest job redesign or task adjustments
• organise workplace modifications, assistive technology and supports (for example Auslan interpreting)
• liaise with your employer and link you with funded health supports like physio, OT, pain management or counselling.

Getting started is easy

1. Permission – If a family member, school or health professional is referring you, they’ll ask for your permission first.
2. Refer – Call 1800 967 965 or complete our online form.
3. Discuss – We’ll contact you to understand your needs and confirm eligibility.
4. Support – Start your personalised IEA support with CoAct Connect and IMPACT.

Your rights, privacy and feedback

You have the right to be treated fairly, to make choices, to access services, and to have your say. We follow the Disability Services and Inclusion Code of Conduct and the National Standards for Disability Services. We’re open about how your personal information is collected, used and shared, and we’ll only share what you consent to.

We welcome feedback at any time, including compliments, complaints or suggestions. We also send brief surveys every three months so we can keep improving our service.

For parents, carers, schools and referrers

We accept referrals from treating doctors, allied health and community services, NDIS providers, schools and families. School leavers can access tailored support to plan goals, meet employers and transition into open employment or further training.