Finding work with disability: support and adjustments

Finding work when you have disability: Tips for success

By Lauren Fowler · Originally published 27 March 2019

A person using a laptop beside a printed job application

Prepare the access questions alongside the job application

Look at the actual tasks and recruitment process. Identify where you need a different format, extra time or a change to the environment. Ask how to request that adjustment and who will receive the information. You can discuss a practical requirement without treating the interview as an invitation to share your whole medical history.

Use JobAccess to explore support and rights, and ask an employment service what help continues after a placement. Keep examples of your skills ready, while recognising that accessibility is also the employer’s responsibility.

Original article and dated context

Lauren Fowler has been working with CoAct as their Marketing Communications Specialist since 2017. She has previously worked across not-for-profit, publishing and retail sectors, but her real passion is advocating and writing content for diversity in the workplace and empowered employment.

Looking for work is always a little tough, but when you have disability, an illness or injury, it can feel even more daunting. But there’s no reason to worry – armed with a little knowledge, you can tackle the job market, no matter your circumstances.

Being a job seeker with a disability can be overwhelming, but the good news is that there are plenty of organisations out there to help you find your way and loads of employers who understand that having a diverse workforce is good for business. Here are some tips to increase your chances of finding work when you have a disability.

4 tips to help you find work if you’re a person with disability

1. Know the lawBy law, unless it affects your ability to do your work safely, you are not required to tell your employer about your disability. However, if you do decide to disclose your disability, all Australian employers are required by law to make “necessary adjustments” to the workplace to accommodate you and your unique needs. That might mean rearranging your work station, providing wheelchair access around the office, or making sure employees with hearing or speech impairments have telephone typewriter (TTY) telephone access. So, if it will help make your job easier, don’t be afraid to ask for what you need.

[Clickability update, October 2026: Use JobAccess’s current reasonable-adjustment guidance. The obligation is not an unlimited guarantee of every requested change. Discuss the actual role, adjustment and applicable circumstances.]

2. Do your research
If there are certain businesses that you’re interested in working for then you might like to learn a bit more about them before you apply. Start with the company website and social media feeds to find lots of useful information about the business and the culture. Doing some research will also help you check out their reputation as an employer and to get a better idea of whether or not they have an inclusive approach to recruitment.

3. Focus on your strengths
Sometimes before people know you – and particularly if they don’t know anyone else with disability – they tend to focus on what you can’t do, instead of what you can. Make sure you highlight all the positives in your application and during the interview process so that the employer can focus on what you CAN do, instead of what you can’t. You can use previous work experience or even examples from your real-life to highlight your abilities.

4. Get lots of support
Having a great support network is always a good idea, but especially when you’re dealing with new or overwhelming circumstances. Sometimes your friends and family are enough, but sometimes it helps to get some outside help too. Getting the help of a trusted employment service provider – specifically one which specialises in disability employment – can be a fantastic way to get additional support through the job seeker process. They’ll be able to help connect you to employers that value diversity and can advocate on your behalf when you need it.

And, as cliched as it sounds, stay positive!

The last piece of advice we can give you is to stay positive and to keep going! Missing out on a job you really wanted can hit your confidence, but it happens to everyone at one time or another. You just have to keep trying, eventually you’ll get something wonderful.

[Clickability update, October 2026: Encouragement is not a guarantee that persistence will produce a job. A person may need different supports, an accessible recruitment process or changes to the role, rather than more pressure to stay positive.]

Get tailored support to find the right job sooner

If you’re looking for a supportive disability employment services provider who takes the time to listen to your individual needs and is with you every step of the way, why not have a chat with CoAct to see how they can help you find the right job sooner. Better yet, if you’ve used their services, why not leave them a review?

Clickability editorial update: October 2026

Help employers remove barriers, not just shortlist applicants

Ask the job seeker which parts of the process are inaccessible and obtain consent before sharing information. Help the employer understand the adjustment and how it enables the person to do the work.

Check the current reasonable-adjustment guidance before giving a blanket legal assurance. Follow up after the person starts so an agreed adjustment is actually working. A placement is not the end of support if the barrier remains.

Questions readers ask

Must an employer provide every requested change?

The obligation concerns reasonable adjustments, with relevant qualifications such as unjustifiable hardship. Official guidance

Does missing out on a role mean I was not positive enough?

No. Recruitment outcomes can reflect many factors, including access barriers.

Find disability support for your next work step

Describe your service needs through Clickability. Compare provider profiles and reviews, then ask how they will support the goals and practical barriers you identify.

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