Some of Our Parts

What Workplace Adjustments are There to Support Mental Health?

• From JobAccess News

One in five Australians are affected by mental health conditions in any given year.

With the COVID-19 pandemic compounding existing issues such as stress and anxiety, it is particularly important to pay attention to our own mental health and that of our colleagues.

One of the keys to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with mental health conditions is offering adjustments to remove barriers and enable them to succeed in their role.

For advice on what kind of adjustments there are and how to access them, we ask National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC) Professional Adviser Rob Crestani.

The Importance of Mentally Healthy Workplaces

“There’s a clear business case for creating mentally healthy workplaces. Mental ill health has a huge financial impact on Australian businesses every year,” Rob says.

“Studies have found that this cost can be dramatically reduced through relatively simple measures, and the return on investment is great. A 2014 analysis by PwC actually found that for every dollar invested in creating a mentally healthy workplace, businesses get an average return of $2.30.”

“We can do a lot to create mentally healthy workplaces that isn’t just about supporting individual employees with existing conditions, but also about preventing undue workplace stress in the first place. A great resource, especially for managers, is the Heads Up guide for creating a mentally healthy workplace, which also defines mentally healthy workplaces and gives tips on how to support a team member you may be concerned about directly.”

Heads Up Guide to Mentally Healthy Workplaces

The guide, Heads Up also identifies features that mentally healthy workplaces have in common, like:

• a positive workplace culture
• well-managed workloads
• deadlines and other risks to mental health
• good communication between staff and from leadership
• support for staff with mental health conditions
• and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.

Finding Solutions

“Communication is key when supporting staff members with mental health conditions. People living with mental illness are often aware of the stressors that can trigger symptoms for them, so they may already have suggestions on how they can be better accommodated,” Rob says.

“Many workplace adjustments for mental health conditions come at little or no cost at all. Examples include flexible work hours and arrangements, mentoring, additional training, modifying and reallocating tasks, or engaging an Employee Assistance Program or counsellor. You may also want to establish goals and regular check-ins with an employee, especially if they have recently been off work due to their mental health condition,” he continues.

“It is important to avoid making assumptions about what your employee will need. Not everyone needs adjustments, and the same adjustments might not work for different people. Having regular, open conversations ensures that the situation is working for everyone, but remember, employees are only required to share information about their mental illness with you if it could have an impact on their ability to complete the tasks required for their role,” Rob suggests.

Accessing Support Services

“Many people may not know that JobAccess via the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) can assist with funding for Mental Health Awareness Training in the workplace. It may also be able to provide funding for one-to-one support with a mental health specialist to assist with working on a work-based mental health plan,” Rob says.

“To learn more about the EAF, visit our website or get in touch with JobAccess at 1800 464 800 to speak to one of our Professional Advisers. You can also find an overview of short courses on both disability and mental health here.”

Other Services for Mental Health Assistance

• Heads Up was created by Beyond Blue to give businesses and individuals the tools to create mentally healthy workplaces and offers a range of resources on their website.
• Head to Health can help you find digital mental health services from some of Australia’s most trusted mental health organisations.
• Beyond Blue offers support services, programs, research, advocacy and communication activities as well as COVID-19 advice and information through the Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service.
• Black Dog Institute is an independent, not-for-profit medical research institute designed to investigate mental health across the lifespan.
• MindSpot is another free service for Australian adults who are experiencing difficulties with anxiety, stress, depression and low mood.

DSS Committed to Creating Better DES Model

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is committed to creating a disability employment services model that better serves jobseekers with disability, service providers and employers.

Have your say through either or both of the below channels.

Complete the Survey

To support in this reform, PwC has been engaged by DSS to seek input from a wide range of stakeholders including employers, service providers and jobseekers to understand experiences, expectations and what is important to you in the disability employment services.

The survey should only take 10 minutes or less and responses will be anonymised and completely confidential.

If you are an employer or an employee of an organisation, PwC wants to hear from you.

• Have your say in the survey by 15 October.

Provide Feedback at AND Workshops

Australian Network on Disability will be representing the voice of our network at the Disability Employment Services reform.

• Join one of our virtual workshops to discuss the DES reform and the consultation paper released by DSS

Attitudes Are a Barrier to Inclusion: But There Are Solutions

Employer’s Choice?

One-fifth, or 20% of Australians agree that employers should be allowed to refuse to hire people with disability.

Common misconceptions and stereotypes might be responsible for that sentiment.

With many people being unaware of the business benefits.

Australians may believe:

• it’s expensive to hire people with disability
• people with disability are less productive
• people with disability take more sick days

But according to Australian Network on Disability, building disability confidence can change attitudes.

AND are proud to say that they’re dispelling these misconceptions with their 360-strong member network leading the way.

Despite the differences, AND members have one goal in common.

Disability Inclusion is Firmly on the Agenda

AND members are creating a workplace environment that supports people with disability.

Currently, 54% of Australians agree that employers should not be allowed to refuse to hire people with disability.

While we still have ways to go to broaden that number, the AND network is pioneering the attitude change.

Is Your Workplace Inclusive of People with Disability?

Only 42% of Australians believe that workplaces are accepting of people with disability.

This indicates that there are still ways to go to create inclusive culture in workplaces.

• We can build up inclusion through education and awareness about disability.
• We can highlight business benefits of employing people with disability. And we can build up disability confidence.
• We can change statistics like the one below.

“78% of Australians agree that people are unsure of how to act towards people with disability.”

Read the Full Report

• Find the full report ‘Attitudes Matter: Findings from a national survey of community attitudes towards people with disability in Australia‘.

Curious About Employee Resource Groups?

Last month, Australian Network on Disability (AND) held two sessions on Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), also known as Disability Employee Networks (DEN)s.

Hosted by global disability networking and professional development hub – PurpleSpace, the sessions provided practical tips on:

• Setting up an Employee Resource Group
• Implementing a high performing Employee Resource Group.

What is an ERG?

An ERG is a forum where people with disability, carers, allies and friends connect to drive organisational change.

Emily Matthews, Member Experience Manager at AND, says:

“Forums like ERGs are integral. Everyone who is interested in accessibility and inclusion has the opportunity to connect and make positive, tangible changes for people with disability in the workplace.”

What is the purpose of an ERG?

• An ERG drives organisational change through consultation, activity and conversation.
• ERGs create inclusive and accessible workplaces by hosting events, developing policies and procedures.

Why do ERGs form?

ERG’s can form for many different reasons. ERGs may form:

• To come together to support employees with disability and for those who care for people with disability. to raise ideas and discuss key workplace issues – including workplace adjustments (eg flexible work).
• To consult across business; monitoring accessibility and inclusion of systems, policies and procedures.
• To improve policies and procedures to provide a disability-focused forum, particularly at times when an organisation is undertaking substantial change, eg change of premises.

Currently 86 of AND’s members have an ERG – but that number continues to grow as employees see the value of connecting with other like-minded staff, especially as COVID has impacted the way work.

AND’s Tips on Starting an ERG

Getting started:

• Develop a clear sense of purpose for the group that drives change
• Establish Terms of Reference so everyone understands the processes
• Have a clear structure – assign a Chairperson, secretary and, if needed, a treasurer.

AND suggests including the following:

• A Senior Executive Disability Champion
• Disability Employee Network leader
• Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) practitioner.

We encourage bringing the ERG and the D&I lead together to set the agenda for each ERG meeting.

What Can an ERG achieve?

• Educate the broader organisation and raise awareness of inclusion and accessibility across the organisation.
• Establish disability inclusion action plans for the organisation, supporting all employees with disability to work equitably.
• Influence change – through activities or guiding decisions so inclusion and accessibility is considered.

Want to start an ERG with our support?

AND facilitates ERG formation workshops.

“We can help you talk through what your ERG can do, support you in identifying what you want to achieve in your network and also help you create the terms of reference,” Emily Matthews.

Last Chance for Stepping Into Internships Summer 2021-2022

Australian Network on Disability (AND) have extended the application deadline for Stepping Into Internships to midnight Sunday 10th October!

• AND have a great number of paid work experience opportunities across VIC this summer.

Internships are available to students with disability studying Accounting, Data, Law, Engineering, IT, Science, Commerce, Psychology, HR, Marketing, Social Science, Project Management and more!

Participating Victorian organisations include:

• Asahi Holdings Australia
• Australia Post
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
• City of Greater Dandenong
• City of Yarra
• IAG
• Jacobs
• National Disability Insurance Agency
• NBN Co Limited
• RMIT
• Stockland Corporation Ltd
• The Royal Women’s Hospital
• VIC Department of Education and Training
• VIC Department of Health
• VIC Department of Treasury and Finance
• VIC Dept of Environment Land Water and Planning
• VIC Dept of Families, Fairness and Housing
• VIC Dept of Justice & Community Safety
• Yooralla
• Zoos Victoria

With over 200 internships available for students with disability, there are plenty of opportunities to gain paid work experience and add to your professional skills over the Summer break.

Head to AND’s website to view all available positions, and apply online by midnight, Sunday 10th October.

PLUS, if you have applied in previous intakes you don’t need to re-apply. Simply email applications@and.org.au with a list of at least 3 position preferences and we can use your previous application.

Want Some Interview Tips?

If you have applied for the program and want more tips and tricks on interviewing – come along to our free Plan for Success online information session on Thursday 14 October, 3 – 4pm (AEDT) and Monday 18 October, 3 – 4pm (AEDT) in Sydney/Canberra/Melbourne time.

These sessions are beneficial for all applicants. In addition to interview top tips, we will take you through the timeframe for Stepping Into.

There’s no need to register – just log on 3pm Thursday 14 October.

You can find login details for the session here.

Not Too Late to Change Preferences

Already applied? More positions have been added since our first email. Be sure to check our website for the updated list, and email applications@and.org.au if you would like to change your preferences.

Have questions about your application or eligibility? Get in touch with the Australian Network on Disability. You can email applications@and.org.au or phone 1300 36 36 45.

• For a full list of the internships and position descriptions, visit the AND website.
• Don’t forget to follow AND on Facebook for updates!

APPLY NOW! Stepping Into Applications Close in Two Weeks!

Are you a university student with disability looking for a paid internship?

• Then don’t miss out on our amazing Stepping Into internship program!

With only two weeks left to apply, we have received many great applications for the over 200 internships available.

Whether you’re interested in public policy, sciences, mining or research – plus more –  there’s a role to suit you.

What is Stepping Into?

Australian Network on Disability’s Stepping Into program is a paid internship program connecting students with disability to leading Australian businesses for hands on work experience.

Through Stepping Into, you can:

• gain paid and valuable career-relevant work experience
• learn new skills
• grow your knowledge of your chosen industry
• develop networking and social skills
• join the Stepping Into Alumni community
• support provided throughout the program.

*Don’t miss out on your chance to apply

Applications are now open.

• For a full list of internship opportunities and to learn how to apply, visit our website.

With only two weeks left until applications close, don’t miss out on the amazing opportunity to launch your career.

• Applications on Sunday, 3 October.

GradWISE – Internship, Graduate and Mentoring Opportunities

For those interested in any of the opportunities listed below, please email your applications to GradWISE@wiseeemployment.com.au with the reasonable adjustment form.

GradWISE will advocate for any adjustments that you might need and help with your application.

Communiteer

Mentorship and Volunteer Opportunity

• You will be matched with a mentor for 12 weeks to accelerate your development in a variety of areas, including career path, job applications, interpersonal skills and more.
• You will also have the opportunity to undertake a skilled volunteering project for a not-for-profit in need with the guidance of your mentor.
• This is a 12 week mentorship commitment, express interest below:
• https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LHSRXZL

Department of Social Services

Option one – Apprenticeship Program

• Commencement March/April 2022. Position located in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, and Adelaide. Please see link below:
• https://www.dss.gov.au/careers/ability-apprenticeship-program

Option two – Summer Internship Program

• Please see PD attached for more details, commence January 2022 for approx. 6 weeks (University break).
• Applications closing 5 October 2021, to apply applicants will need to send entrylevelteam@dss.gov.au your CV and a written statement, explaining why you want to work for the Department of Social Services and the skills and attributes you will bring to the program (maximum 1000 words).

EY

Primary School Facilitator

• Casual role based in Newcastle/ surrounds.
• Please see the below link:
• Facilitator – Primary Schools | Community Impact – Newcastle and surrounds (ey.com)

EY strongly encourages applications from candidates who have a disability, and so have lived experience which they can speak from.

The recruitment process will include an OnDemand video interview, followed by a formal interview/ audition with the Program Manager.

These are expected to be held from the week commencing 25^th of October

Major Roads Project Victoria ( MRPV):

Summer Internship

• Commence in Jan 2022 with a duration of up to a 6 month fixed term period.
• Please see link below, closing date is the 26^th of September
• https://jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/jobs/VG-MRPV-MRPV-1565801

Coles

2022 Operations Graduate Program

• Applications are open until Sunday 3^rd October.
• Find the latest information about the Operations Graduate Program and apply directly via the Coles careers page:
• https://careers.colesgroup.com.au/wp-content/Graduate-programs/?locale=en_GB

North East Link Project (NELP)

Summer Internships

Melbourne based looking for roles in:

• Government Relations
• Communications & Stakeholder relations
• Engineering or Equivalent
• Engineering (Civil)

*Please see attached job advert for more details.

Disability Super Fair 2021 | Tuesday, 28 September 2021

• 2:00PM to 4:00PM in NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC & TAS
• 1:30PM to 3:30PM in SA & NT | 12:00PM to 2:00PM in WA

 Are you wanting to discover employers who celebrate difference and have inclusive working culture?

Join us at the 2021 Diversity Careers Super Fair!

Who is this for?

The Students with a Disability Super Fair is for all students studying any degrees wanting to discover employers who have either a dedicated graduate program for students with a disability or offer otherwise attractive and inclusive opportunities.

• Register here

What will we cover?

• 2:30pm – Introduction to GradWISE
• 3pm – How to disclose and ask for adjustments
• 3:30pm – Recruitment pathways with disability confident employers

To help you feel confident and prepare to ensure you get the most out of the Careers Fair we have provided some handy resources below:

• Resources for tertiary students, young adults, parents and carers
• Guide to employer expos

We look forward to seeing you there!

Summer Vacation Research Scholarships/Internships 2021/22 (Rossjohn lab)

Applications Now Open for the 2022 Ability Apprenticeship Program at Department of Social Services

The Department of Social Services (the department) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2022 Ability Apprenticeship Program.

The program is open to people with disability aged 18 years and over. Download the PDF Flyer here.

It is designed to create pathways into secure, ongoing employment within the department and the broader Australian Public Service (APS) and act as a stepping stone towards the participants’ long-term career aspirations.

Program Commences Early 2022

The program will commence in early 2022 and run for 12 months, with positions available in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Perth, and Adelaide.

Participants will start at the APS 3 level and undertake an individualised learning program tailored to the needs of their business area and their own career goals.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will advance to an ongoing APS 4.

Each participant will have the opportunity to connect with a disability employment services (DES) provider to support them throughout their employment.

The Entry Programs and Inclusion team at Department of Social Services will provide support for participants and their work areas.

Building a Diverse and Accessible Public Service

The program is an important step toward building a more diverse and accessible public service that better represents the Australian community. The APS Disability Employment Strategy 2020-2025 outlines the Australian Government’s commitment to this goal.

• For more information on the Ability Apprenticeship Program, go to www.dss.gov.au/abilityprogram or email AbilityProgram@dss.gov.au.

*Applications close Thursday 7 October 2021.

2021 Students with a Disability Super Fair!

You’re invited!

TUESDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 2021

• 2:00PM to 4:00PM in NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC & TAS
• 1:30PM to 3:30PM in SA & NT | 12:00PM to 2:00PM in WA

Who is this for?

The Students with a Disability Super Fair is for all students studying any degrees wanting to discover employers who have either a dedicated graduate program for students with a disability or offer otherwise attractive and inclusive opportunities.

• Register NOW!

How does it work?

This is an interactive virtual career fair designed to help you learn about graduate job and internship opportunities you can apply for.

The fair is conducted via video conference and split into two parts.

Who will I meet?

We’ve invited some of Australia’s best graduate employers to meet with you and share what a future working with them looks like.

• See All Exhibitors

Why should I attend?

Applying for graduate jobs is a bit like sitting your final exams; the lecturer usually gives away some handy tips in the final class!

• Don’t make the mistake of submitting job applications blind.

Attend this event to meet the employers you already know about, discover new ones, and find out what recruiters are looking for in your job applications.

• Register NOW!