The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) provides reimbursements to an Applicant for workplace modifications, equipment and services necessary for a person with disability to perform their employment duties.

The EAF can help people whether they are working, about to start work, or self-employed.

The EAF can fund changes related to workplaces, equipment and support services. This includes covering the cost of things like:

• Building modifications - such as automatic doors, lighting changes and ramps
• changes to work vehicles
• special equipment - including braille printers, joysticks or mouse alternatives and headsets
• assistive technology and communication devices - such as a hearing loop system, touch screen, or screen reading software
• Auslan interpreting services

More details are at What the EAF can cover.

The EAF is to support eligible people with disability who are working, about to start work, or self-employed. Find out more at Who is eligible for the EAF.

To use the EAF you need to apply. You can apply if you're:

• an employer
• an employee
• self-employed
• a job seeker
• a service provider.

To be eligible for assistance a person with disability must:

• have an ongoing disability that has lasted (or is likely to last) for at least two years and results in limitation, restriction or impairment that substantially affects that person's ability to perform their employment duties; and
• require a modification to their workplace as a result of their disability, and the modification is essential to carrying out their Employment duties; and
• be an Australian Resident (as defined in the Glossary to these Guidelines).
  • An exception to this requirement is where, from 1 June 2021, an Applicant is either a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) holder or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) holder.

A person with disability must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• have an offer of employment; or
• be employed for a minimum of 8 hours per week, for at least 13 weeks; or
• be employed for a minimum of 8 hours per week, where that employment is reasonably expected to continue for at least 13 weeks; or
• be a Self-employed Worker who has been working at least 8 hours per week over the last 13 weeks and earning an hourly income that is at least equivalent to the National Minimum Wage; or
• are employed for less than 8 hours a week due to their capacity, provided they are building towards at least 8 hours per week employment and have a commitment from their employer to support this. This may be considered by the JobAccess provider on a case-by-case basis.

See guidelines for more detailed information.

• Phone: 1800 464 800