Jigsaw Canberra – IEA
Introducing a new program called Inclusive Employment Australia
The Australian Government is introducing a new program called Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA). This program is a fresh approach, designed to replace the current Disability Employment Services (DES) program, and is set to begin in November 2025.
After more than 11 years of delivering employment services to people with disability under our NDIS-funded model, we’re excited to announce that Jigsaw Canberra is now one of the new Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) providers.
The government has selected Jigsaw to provide services to a specialist cohort of people with disability aged 25 and under in the Canberra/Queanbeyan area. We’ll be operating IEA services from Jigsaw’s hub in Dickson – for both eligible existing participants and brand new IEA participants. Existing Jigsaw NDIS participants are encouraged to speak with their Zone Manager to determine eligibility.
Being an IEA provider means that Jigsaw has the opportunity to support more people with disability to build their skills, confidence, and work-readiness, and secure the lasting, stable career outcome they deserve.
Our innovative pathway to mainstream employment embeds a comprehensive, skill-based training program within a real workplace.
We believe people prepare best for work through work. Jigsaw’s holistic approach starts with the basics of work-readiness training, through to work capacity building and exposure to help build your workplace skills, and continues through to a supported transition to mainstream employment. It ensures that the people we support gain transferable soft skills relevant to every workplace.
The way we deliver services to the people we support is unique and tailored to what you want and need to succeed at work. We will work closely with you to learn about your past experiences, your goals and aspirations, support you to overcome or effectively manage your barriers, help you to build your workplace capacity, and then find and keep a job that is right for you.
Initially, we will be a provider in Canberra, but we hope to expand into other Jigsaw locations in future years.
What IEA will provide the Jigsaw community in Canberra
More job opportunities through Jigsaw Connect.
As an IEA provider, we will have a range of tools to engage employers that we couldn’t previously access. This opportunity will strengthen Jigsaw, leading to more job opportunities with more employers for trainees and paid trainees, as well as for new participants joining Jigsaw for the first time through IEA.
An alternative to NDIS for people who don’t have funding.
With the NDIS under reform, many members of our community are experiencing lengthy delays and insufficient funding packages. By enrolling in IEA services with us, people with disability who do not have NDIS funding, or who have reduced funding, can still be part of Jigsaw (subject to eligibility criteria).
Making the Right Choice for You
If you are currently participating in the Australian Government’s Disability Employment Serices (DES) Program, you should have received two letters from the Department of Social Services. The letters explain changes to Disability Employment Services, and also which service provider you’ve been connected with for the new program, along with a list of up to six alternate providers that you may select from. Here’s the most important part: the choice is always yours.
If you’d like to partner with Jigsaw Canberra to receive high-quality, person-centred employment services under the Inclusive Employment Australia program, there’s a simple way to make sure that happens:
- If your letter names Jigsaw as your provider, fantastic! You’re already set, and you don’t need to do anything else. We will be in touch with you in October to arrange your first meeting with Jigsaw.
- If your letter names a different provider, but you want to partner with Jigsaw, don’t worry. Simply call the government’s DES Transition Line at 1800 227 337 before 16 October 2025 and let them know you’d like to select Jigsaw.
The new Inclusive Employment Australia is a significant redesign of the DES system.
Changes include:
- Specialised Help: Jigsaw is an expert in helping young people (25 and under) and school leavers.
- Focus on Preparation, Not Just Placement: The old system often rushed people into jobs. The new program offers better funding for work preparation and skill development. This means we can take the time to make sure you’re confident and ready for a job that’s the right fit for you.
- Long-Term Support: The new system provides more funding for ongoing support once you’ve found a job. You can receive support for as long as you need it to settle in and keep your job, ensuring your employment is successful and sustainable.
We’re Here to Help
If you have any questions at all, please reach out!
- Chat with your local Jigsaw team by calling 1300 166 734 and selecting Canberra from the options.
- You can also call the government’s new DES Transition Line at 1800 227 337.
- For employers, we’re here to offer support too, from finding great candidates to creating an inclusive workplace.
We’re excited to see what we can achieve together.
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