Welcome to Work First

Welcome to Work First, a pioneering suite of person-centred disability employment services dedicated to creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, their families, and schools. At the heart of Work First is a commitment to fostering meaningful careers through a robust, quality-assured approach that combines Customised Employment, Discovery methodologies, and the CEQAF (Customised Employment Quality Assurance Framework).

This framework ensures that every aspect of our service delivery— from individual capacity building to organisational systems—meets high standards of fidelity, effectiveness, and participant experience.

Drawing upon extensive research and practical expertise, as well as invaluable collaboration with technical partners like Griffin Hammis Associates (renowned Customised Employment pioneers) and research contributors worldwide, Work First stands at the forefront of enhancing disability employment outcomes. The integration of CEQAF guarantees that our services align with globally recognised competencies (ACRE & APSE), while embedding continuous quality improvement across all levels of practice.

Our mission and the Work First Way

Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower individuals, families, and schools to navigate the complexities of the workforce, turning employment aspirations into reality. The Work First Way, our comprehensive practice model, draws heavily on CEQAF to systematically build capacity and unlock individual potential. Whether participants are plan-managed or self-managed under the NDIS, our team provides tailored, quality-assured support every step of the way.

We are not a DES program. If quick job placements are your priority, we recommend searching for DES providers. Instead, our approach is about progressive capacity building, supporting individuals to gain skills, confidence, and resilience through structured, CEQAF-guided pathways. Supported by Employment Counselling, this is a holistic process—strengthened by the CEQAF’s focus on participant voice (via the Discovery Experience Reflection Scale – DERS), practitioner competencies, and organisational systems.

Our services: Embedded in CEQAF

The Work First Way encompasses a range of services, all governed by CEQAF standards, including:

• Personalised employment counselling, grounded in the PIE model and aligned with CEQAF competencies.
• The Glide In transition-to-work program, which helps students and families build employment pathways while still at school.
• Highly individualised Discovery and Customised Employment processes, underpinned by fidelity checks and organisational self-assessments (via CEOFECT).

By integrating CEQAF, we ensure that each employment plan is crafted around a person’s skills, interests, goals, and broader life context, producing outcomes that are not only fulfilling but also sustainable.

A practice dedicated to quality and impact

As the disability employment arm of the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice (CDERP), Work First bridges the gap between research and practice. Through Real Praxis, we also support other organisations to deliver authentic, person-centred employment services—helping them embed CEQAF into their systems to ensure fidelity and long-term success.

At Work First, we take pride in our individualised approach. Unlike high-turnover services, our practitioners maintain small caseloads, allowing for deep engagement and high-quality outcomes. CEQAF’s tiered quality framework (Silver, Gold, Platinum) guides our operations, ensuring every client benefits from evidence-based, participant-informed services that drive genuine change.

Customised Employment: The right job, not just any job

It’s important to be clear: Customised Employment is not about flooding the market with resumes or knocking on countless doors hoping something sticks. It’s an individualised, structured process—anchored by the CEQAF—that focuses on discovering and securing the right job, aligned to career progression and personal aspirations. This takes time and thoughtful effort. If you seek a quick placement or purely an activity to fill time, this service is likely not the right fit; mainstream services may better suit those needs.

Warning: Customised Employment and Discovery is not an approach that hands out dozens of resumes and bangs on employer doors – essentially a lottery approach. It is a highly individualised process that takes time and is focused on the right job and career progression. If you are looking for the lottery approach or a replacement for school hours, then this isn’t the service for you. We suggest mainstream services for that approach.

If you’re interested in accessing our services or referring a client, please follow the link below to complete our information form. Our team will respond promptly.

Referral / Intake Form Link

Thank you for considering Work First as your partner on the path to inclusive employment and meaningful careers.

Looking for Customised Employment and Discovery services nationally?

Are you seeking Customised Employment and Discovery services across Australia? Our national network of providers, all trained and quality-assured through CDERP College and aligned with CEQAF standards, ensures you can access high-fidelity Customised Employment support wherever you are.

This means:

• Practitioners are trained to recognised international competencies (via ACRE) and operate under CEQAF guidelines.
• Services use structured tools like CEOFECT and DERS to drive participant-centred, data-informed practice.
• Organisations commit to continuous improvement, fostering inclusive workplaces and sustainable employment outcomes.

Whether you’re an individual seeking tailored employment pathways or an employer looking to diversify your workforce, our network is here to support you.

Partner with us to build a more inclusive future

Contact us today to connect with services that uphold the highest standards of Customised Employment practice under CEQAF. Together, we can unlock the full potential of every individual and contribute to a more inclusive, equitable workforce.

Abuse in the Workplace

We take the health and safety of our staff seriously and, in line with legal and community expectations, have zero tolerance for such behaviours. Staff will document all such incidents, which can result in a suspension of services until a resolution and respectful environment can be developed. 

Where no resolution can be reached that meets the needs of all parties and supports their well-being, the service agreement will be terminated, subject to payment of all outstanding invoices.

Workplace violence can be any incident where a person is abused, threatened, intimidated or assaulted at the workplace or while they are carrying out work.  

Embarking on the journey from school to the world of work or further studies should commence early to ensure that every student, including those with disabilities, is equipped with a solid foundation for success upon completing high school. At the forefront of this transition initiative is our ground-breaking Glide In program, meticulously crafted by the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice (CDERP), a pioneering endeavour dedicated to empowering students at all stages of their educational journey.

Dr. Peter Smith, the visionary Founder and Director of CDERP, underscores the essence of this transition process: “It’s not merely about raising awareness; it’s about deeply understanding each child and effecting transformative change across all levels of the educational landscape. We aim to seamlessly guide children with disabilities through this pivotal phase, fostering their innate potential and facilitating access to diverse career and employment pathways. Through a tailored approach comprising personalized experiences and learning opportunities, we empower these young individuals to assert their autonomy and advocate for themselves.”

Central to the Glide In program is a multi-faceted approach meticulously designed to leverage existing evidence-based practices while integrating our proprietary methodologies. At its core lies a commitment to comprehensively assess each young person’s unique needs and actively engage them in the transition process from schooling to post-school endeavours. The journey begins now; it’s imperative to ascertain the starting point of each student: “Where are you right now?”

Drawing from the success of Group Guided Discovery, a methodology previously trialled in Australian school settings, Glide In has evolved to meet the evolving needs of students and contemporary educational environments. It transcends mere awareness-raising exercises, aiming instead to foster students’ inherent capabilities. This ensures that they emerge from their educational journey not with a mere referral to external service providers but armed with a meticulously crafted blueprint for success.

At Work First, we’re pioneers in person-centred disability employment services, driven by the principles of Customised Employment and Employment Counselling rooted in the latest evidence-based practices. Our approach is not just innovative; it’s a paradigm shift in how we empower individuals with disabilities to thrive in the workforce. Backed by robust local and international evidence endorsed by leaders in disability employment globally, Work First stands at the forefront of transformative change.

Our Clientele: Empowering NDIS Participants

Work First specializes in collaborating with individuals who are either plan or self-managed participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We understand the unique challenges and aspirations of this community, and our services are tailored to meet their diverse needs and aspirations.

Individual Employment: Crafting Pathways to Meaningful Work

At the heart of Work First is our Individual Employment program, designed to empower individuals with disabilities or employment barriers to secure meaningful paid positions within their communities. We believe in harnessing the individual’s strengths, skills, interests, and ideal working conditions while also aligning with the employer’s business objectives. This philosophy forms the cornerstone of Customised Employment, fostering a relationship of true mutuality between job seekers and employers.

The Glide In Continuum: Nurturing Talent from School to Career

Embedded within our Individual Employment program is the Glide In continuum, a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering capacity building from school years onwards. By providing support and guidance during the formative years, Glide In lays down a blueprint for employment or further educational pursuits post-school. Grounded in the principles of Customised Employment, the synergistic integration of Glide In and Work First forms the Work First Way—a robust, evidence-based framework facilitating a seamless transition from school to adult life.

Work First: Beyond Job Placement

Work First isn’t just about securing any job—it’s about finding the right job while concurrently enhancing skills and fostering independence. We prioritize quality over expediency, understanding that meaningful careers require time and dedication. Customised Employment isn’t a quick fix; it’s a transformative journey that prioritises capacity and skill-building to pave the way for sustainable employment and long-term career success. We encourage prospective clients to embrace this holistic approach when considering Work First and Customised Employment services.

Join us at Work First, where we’re not just reshaping employment outcomes; we’re transforming lives.

Read all about Iain’s journey with Work First. As an aspiring journalist and media person, Iain wrote this article, and Work First paid for it.

Follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/3uu6jdh9

Our mental health services cater to a diverse range of individuals seeking support for their mental well-being. Whether you’re a self-managed or plan-managed client of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), a member of the general public in need of counselling services to enhance your mental health or part of a corporate entity seeking assistance, we are here to help.

Our doors are open to those navigating the complexities of self-management within the NDIS framework. We provide tailored support and resources to empower individuals on their journey towards improved mental wellness. Additionally, we extend our services beyond NDIS participants, welcoming anyone seeking professional counselling to foster better mental health and emotional resilience.

Furthermore, corporate clients can benefit from our expertise through customised arrangements, ensuring that their employees have access to the necessary mental health support within their organisational context. We understand the importance of prioritising mental well-being in the workplace and are dedicated to assisting businesses in creating a supportive environment for their staff.

At Acceptance, we believe in the importance of accessible and inclusive mental health care. We are committed to serving individuals and organisations alike and fostering a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive mentally and emotionally. 

Reach out to us today to explore how we can support you on your journey towards better mental health.