Work First is a unique suite of person-centred disability employment services that support individuals, families and schools to make inclusive employment possible for people with a disability. Borne out of years of research and practice evidence and driven by the need to improve disability employment outcomes, Work First works with individuals, families and schools to make employment and careers possible. The Work First Way also supports companies through the Work First Corporate program and individuals who are self-managed clients of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The Work First Way is a practice framework that offers the Glide In transition to work program to schools, individuals, families and service providers who are looking to support a person-centred path during school and Work First Individual Employment to a post-school life in the community. Mental Health services are available to the general public, along with Work First program clients.

Work First is the disability employment and mental health service of the Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice. It is where CDERP illustrates how theory can become practice in the delivery of innovative services to individuals and businesses. Real Praxis that is available to service providers looking to deliver authentic person-centred employment services.

Work First is an innovative suite of person-centred disability employment services underpinned by Customised Employment and Individual Place and Support delivered with fidelity to the evidence base for practice. Our approach is based on local and international evidence for best practice and is supported by leaders in disability employment across the world.

Work First works with individuals who are self-managed participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Work First Individual Employment works with people with disabilities or barriers to employment to find meaningful paid employment in the community. It is based on the individual’s strengths, skills, interests, ideal conditions of employment and the business needs of the employer. True mutuality!

Our Individual Employment program is a continuum of the Glide In program that supports capacity building while in school while building a blueprint for employment or further study post-school. Together Glide In and Work First make up the Work First Way, an evidence-based, practice-informed framework that supports a seamless transition from school to adult life.

Our mental health services are available to individuals who are self manage clients of the NDIS and to the general public who need counselling services to support good mental health. Corporate clients may also avail themselves of these services by arrangement.