Inclusive Employment Australia
Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) helps young adults aged 15–25 with a disability, injury, or health condition prepare for work, find meaningful employment, and build a career that reflects their strengths.
At Connecting Futures, we don't just help you find a job—we walk alongside you as you build your future.
INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA
What is IEA?
Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is a national employment program that supports people with a disability, health condition or injury to prepare for work, find employment, and build long-term careers.
Connecting Futures is proud to be the specialist youth provider for Inclusive Employment Australia across the Bendigo and Goulburn Valley Employment Service Areas, supporting young adults aged 15–25.
IEA may be suitable if you are:
✔ A young adults aged 15–25
✔ Living with a disability, health condition or injury
✔ Looking for support to prepare for work, find employment, or stay employed
One of the biggest advantages of Inclusive Employment Australia is that you do not need to be connected to a government service or NDIS participant to access this support.
How We Help
Career
Planning
Explore industries, discover careers, and identify your interests and strengths.
One-on-One Mentoring
Work alongside your own Youth Employment Mentor who gets to know you and your goals.
Resume & Interview Support
Feel confident applying for jobs and meeting employers.
Employment Preparation
Develop the skills, confidence, and experience that employers value.
Employer Connections
Access opportunities with inclusive employers across regional Victoria.
Sustainable Employment
Receive ongoing support to build confidence and succeed in the workplace.
Results that matter.
Of school leavers working with Connecting Futures transitioned into open employment.
Recognised nationally for employment outcomes and school leaver transitions.
We’ve supported over 1000+ young adults through specialist youth employment services.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Connecting Futures Employment provides two Youth Employment Services for eligible Young Adults aged 15 - 25:
Youth Employment Services for NDIS participants
Inclusive Employment Australia - youth-specific cohort
Youth Employment Services for NDIS participants focus on building skills, confidence, independence and readiness for work. IEA focuses on helping eligible Young Adults move into inclusive employment and providing ongoing support to maintain sustainable employment.
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Yes. Eligible Young Adults may access both services when each service is appropriate, approved and eligibility is met. The services can be delivered together as complementary supports. Youth Employment Services for NDIS participants can continue building the Young Adult’s skills, confidence, independence and employment-related capacity. IEA can support the practical transition into a suitable career and provide ongoing assistance to maintain employment.
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Youth Employment Services for NDIS participants are heavily focused on capacity building. Support may include:
One-to-one career mentoring and planning
Exploring career, education and training options
Building communication and workplace skills
Developing confidence, routines and independence
Strengthening work readiness
Participating in Small Team Projects
Gaining practical and experiential learning
Exploring different industries
Participating in work experience
Developing self-direction and problem-solving skills
Planning the pathway from school or post-school life into employment or volunteering
Support is tailored to the Young Adult’s goals and current employment journey.
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A Young Adult may be eligible if they:
Are an NDIS participant
Have an employment goal or want to build skills and confidence for work
Need additional employment-related support because of their disability
Have suitable funding available in their NDIS plan for employment supports
Require support that is consistent with their NDIS goals with an employment focus
Book a meeting with connecting Futures Employment to find out whether the service may be suitable for you.
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Connecting Futures Employment supports young adults aged 15 – 25 as an Inclusive Employment Australia. IEA provider. The Youth Employment Service for IEA participantsis heavily focused on working alongside eligible Young Adults transition into sustainable employment and ongoing support to sustain employment. Support may include:
Understanding the Young Adult’s skills, strengths and employment goals through the development of a Job Plan
Preparing résumés and job applications
Developing interview and workplace skills
Identifying suitable employment opportunities
Connecting with inclusive employers
Job matching and customised employment
Recruitment and onboarding assistance
Supporting workplace adjustments where appropriate
Building effective communication between the Young Adult and employer
Providing support after employment begins
Identifying and supporting environmental adjustments for worksites
Providing ongoing support to maintain sustainable employment
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A Young Adult may be eligible if they:
Are aged between 15 and 25
Have a disability, injury or health condition
Experience barriers to finding or maintaining suitable employment
Meet the relevant Inclusive Employment Australia program and assessment requirements
Some Young Adults may need an Employment Services Assessment, also known as an ESAt. This assessment helps identify barriers to work, reasonable work capacity, the most suitable type of employment service and the support that may be required.
Medical information may also be required. This may include a completed Verification of Medical Conditions form (SU684) or other appropriate medical evidence. Eligibility is assessed individually by centrelink. Connecting Futures Employment can explain the process and help Young Adult and any family or supports through the next steps.
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Connecting Futures Employment delivers Youth Employment Services across regional service areas in Victoria
Victoria: Bendigo & Goulburn Valley Employment Service with offices in::
Head office - Bendigo 65 - 67 Baxter St, Bendigo
Echuca Office 445 - 447 High St, Echuca
Castlemaine office 1 Halford St, Castlemaine
Maryborough Office 90 Burke St, Maryborough
Shepparton Office 70 New Dookie Rd, Shepparton
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Current school students and post-school Youth up to 25 use the same Youth Employment Expression of Interest form on the Connecting Futures Employment website. A Young Adult, family member, school, support coordinator or other referrer can complete the form.
Complete the Youth Employment Expression of Interest form. The combined form is for current school students and post-school Young Adults.
Initial eligibility review. Connecting Futures Employment reviews the Young Adult’s circumstances, goals, location and eligibility.
Follow-up phone call and meet and greet . A team member contacts the Young Adult or nominated contact to discuss the enquiry and clarify any additional information required.
Meet and greet. A meet and greet is organised at a Connecting Futures Employment office to discuss goals, support needs and available service options as well as giving the opportunity for young adults to see if the youth employment service fits them.
Confirm the appropriate pathway. The team explains whether Youth Employment Services for NDIS participants, IEA support for the youth-specific cohort, or both complementary services may be suitable and available. Direct registration or intake appointments are booked and services will begin.
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A Young Adult
A parent, family member or carer
A school
A support coordinator
A Local Area Coordinator
An allied health professional
A community organisation
An employer
Another referring service
Connecting Futures Employment will involve the Young Adult in decisions and respect their preferences, privacy, dignity and choices.
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Connecting Futures Employment will review the information and contact the Young Adult or nominated contact by phone. The call is used to discuss goals and circumstances, answer questions, clarify NDIS funding or potential IEA eligibility, identify any additional information required and organise a meet and greet at a Connecting Futures Employment office. At the meet and greet, the Young Adult and their supporters can meet the team, discuss support needs and identify if the services are the best fit for them. .
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Youth Employment Enqurie’s
Phone: 1300 644 032
Email: support@connectingfutures.com.au
Website: www.connectingfutures.com.au
Online enquiry form: www.connectingfutures.com.au/EOI form
Bendigo office: 65 – 67 Baxter Street, Bendigo VIC 3550If you are unsure where to begin, contact the team. Connecting Futures Employment will listen to your goals and help you understand whether Youth Employment Services are what your look for.