Work First Employment delivers person-centred disability employment services grounded in Customised Employmentand Employment Counselling, informed by evidence-based practice and contemporary research. Our work integrates Australian and international best practice, drawing on decades of applied experience in disability employment, counselling, and workforce development.
We support people to move beyond generic job matching toward meaningful, sustainable paid employment that makes sense for both the individual and the employer.
At Work First, employment is not treated as a single outcome, but as a developmental journey. Our approach recognises the personal, social, and environmental factors that shape employment success and addresses barriers while building capacity for self-determination, confidence, and informed choice.
A Person-Centred, Holistic Approach
Everything we do is guided by a commitment to authentic person-centred practice. We work alongside individuals to understand their strengths, interests, working conditions, support needs, and aspirations, then translate this understanding into real employment pathways.
Our services are designed to:
- build self-determination and self-advocacy
- support informed decision-making about work
- align employment with identity, wellbeing, and community life
- create roles that are sustainable, valued, and paid
This philosophy underpins all Work First programs and partnerships.
Who We Support
Work First supports self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants across a wide age range. We believe employment planning should begin early and continue across the lifespan.
We work with:
- young people from age 13 exploring future work and identity
- school-leavers transitioning from education to employment
- adults seeking their first job or a new direction
- individuals returning to work or re-shaping their careers later in life
For school-age participants, our Glide In program provides structured preparation for post-school employment or further education, building confidence, work readiness, and vocational identity well before formal job seeking begins.
Our Purpose
“At Work First, our mission is to provide tailored support to individuals with disability or barriers to employment, supporting their journey toward meaningful, paid work in the community. We start with the person, not the job, and align individual strengths, skills, and preferences with real business needs to create outcomes that work for everyone.”
— Dr Peter Smith
Discovery: The Foundation of Customised Employment
Discovery sits at the heart of our Customised Employment and Employment Counselling approach. It is a structured, individualised process that begins with the person and remains anchored to their lived experience.
Discovery starts with purposeful conversations, often in the person’s home and community, where we explore:
- interests, passions, and motivations
- skills, talents, and learning styles
- preferred environments and working conditions
- supports that enable success
- experiences that shape vocational identity
Rather than relying on assessments or assumptions, Discovery builds a rich, evidence-based understanding that informs every next step.
Employment is not about fitting a person into a vacancy. It is about designing pathways that align who a person is with how work actually happens.
Employment Counselling: Supporting Sustainable Careers
Employment Counselling is a core element of Work First services. It supports individuals to navigate the emotional, psychological, and practical dimensions of employment, including confidence, identity, change, uncertainty, and long-term planning.
Employment Counselling helps individuals:
- make sense of work goals and expectations
- manage transitions and setbacks
- build confidence and self-advocacy
- sustain employment over time
- plan for career growth, not just job entry
As Lauren Pavlidis, COO & Mental Health Manager, notes, Employment Counselling is essential for supporting long-term participation in work, particularly in complex or changing labour markets.
The Work First Program: Zero Exclusion, Real Opportunity
The Work First program is built on a zero-exclusion philosophy. We start from the assumption that everyone is employable when the right conditions, supports, and opportunities are in place.
Through a collaborative and practical process, we:
- identify unmet business needs
- negotiate and customise roles
- support employers to design sustainable positions
- reduce reliance on ongoing support over time
Job customisation allows people to contribute meaningfully while meeting real workplace needs, moving beyond traditional job descriptions.
Our Customised Employment Framework
Our Customised Employment program is delivered through four flexible phases, tailored to each individual’s needs, pace, and circumstances:
Stage One – Discovery: Getting to Know the Person
Building relationships, understanding identity, interests, strengths, and preferences.
Stage Two – Discovery: Understanding Career Direction
Refining vocational themes, environments, and employment conditions.
Stage Three – Job Development
Career planning, employer engagement, job negotiation, and role design.
Stage Four – Career Support
Post-employment support, skill development, and ongoing career planning.
Each stage can vary in intensity and timing and may include Employment Counselling, workplace training, and mentoring for participants and their support networks.
NDIS Funding Support
Not sure whether your current NDIS funding supports your employment goals? We can help you understand your plan and identify the supports required to undertake Discovery and progress toward meaningful employment.
Talk to our employment specialists to explore your options.
For more details, email: admin@cderp.com.au