Reimagining inclusion by matching potential with purpose
In today’s fast-changing workforce, the job description is no longer enough. For people with disability, the standard recruitment model often overlooks individual strengths, preferences and potential. Enter Customised Employment (CE), a person-centred approach to employment that’s changing how individuals and businesses connect.
Customised employment doesn’t start with a job vacancy; it begins with a person. It matches an individual’s unique skills, interests and needs with real business requirements—creating tailored roles that benefit both the employee and employer. This collaborative and flexible approach is not only inclusive, but it’s a smart workforce strategy. By fostering diversity, customised employment helps include underrepresented groups such as people with disability, neurodiverse individuals and Indigenous peoples in the workforce.
Customised employment also challenges the low expectations often placed on people with disability by the traditional recruitment model.
What Does Customised Employment Look Like?
Here’s how CE works:
Individualised Discovery
Through a process called Discover, we identify an individual’s unique talents and abilities by exploring their passions, skills and goals.
Individuals actively participate in the Discovery process to ensure their strengths and preferences are fully understood.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all model; it’s a bespoke career-building journey.
Job Creation, Not Just Job Search
Rather than searching for roles that might be a poor fit, we create a customised job that is built around the strengths and aspirations of the job seeker.
Creating a customised job often involves negotiation between the employer and the job seeker to ensure the role is mutually beneficial and aligns with both parties’ needs.
Employer Collaboration
Employers become partners in the process. Together, we co-design roles that enhance business operations while tapping into underutilised talent.
Ongoing Support
Support doesn’t stop at the hire. We provide structured long-term support to ensure success for both the employee and the workplace.
Choosing the right support people is key to helping individuals achieve their employment goals and ensure ongoing success.
The Benefits Are Clear
- For individuals: Increased confidence, sense of purpose, sustainable employment and increased income.
- For employers: Greater retention, improved productivity and a diverse, committed workforce.
Customised employment has been particularly effective in supporting people with significant disability to participate in open employment.
Our NDIS Services for Participants and Their Support Networks
At Access CE, we support our clients through tailored services designed to meet their unique needs as NDIS participants and their formal and informal support circles:
- Customised Career & Coaching Plans – Personalised plans to achieve employment goals.
- Access to Mentors – Industry-experienced professionals to guide and support.
- Specialised Employment Assistance – Overcoming barriers with expert support.
- Support for Self-Employment – Guidance and resources for clients interested in self-employment or micro enterprise as a pathway to meaningful work.
- Employment Coaching Using Best Practice Approaches – Coaching incorporates best practice methods for skill development and goal setting within your chosen field or practice area.
- Networking & Work Experience – Building industry connections and real-world exposure.
- Dedicated Staff – An enthusiastic team serving the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Lithgow/Blue Mountains regions.
Solutions for Employers Ready to Lead Inclusively
We work alongside employers to design jobs that work for everyone:
- Job Matching and Customisation – Trial periods and role refinement to get it right.
- Onboarding & Preparation – Firsthand support with interviews, orientation and task analysis.
- Structured Ongoing Support – Co-designed support systems for your workplace.
- Disability Confidence & Access – Awareness training, guidance on reasonable adjustments and Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) navigation.
What Is Job Customisation?
For employers new to the concept, job customisation is about creating a role that matches the skills and capabilities of an employee while meeting your business needs. Job customisation is particularly beneficial for individuals with intellectual disability as it allows for roles that match their strengths.
This can include:
- Redeployment of specific tasks
- Sharing or reassigning responsibilities among team members
- Adjusting hours or methods of work
- Modifying tools or processes
At its core, job customisation is about collaboration, inclusion and shared success. When employers and employees communicate openly and build trust, the result is a dynamic workplace.
The concept of job customisation was developed as part of the broader Customised Employment model, which originated in the US.
Research and Best Practices in Customised Employment
Disability employment research consistently shows that the customised employment process is a powerful tool to support people with significant disability to gain and maintain employment. Unlike traditional job-seeking practices, which often overlook the unique strengths and support needs of the individual, customised employment is person-centred. This leads to better job matches, higher job satisfaction and more sustainable employment outcomes for both the employee and the employer.
A key resource in this field is the Job Developers Handbook, which provides practical tactics and strategies to support people with complex disability throughout the customised employment journey. By focusing on self-determination and understanding each person’s interests, capabilities, and support needs, job developers can create meaningful job opportunities that align with business requirements and individual employment goals.
The customised employment process unfolds in several stages: discovery, job development and ongoing support. During discovery, the unique abilities and interests of the person with disability are identified. Job development involves working with employers to create or adapt roles that suit these strengths. Ongoing support ensures both the employee and the workplace have the resources and guidance to maintain employment and build capacity over time.
Access to customised employment is increasingly supported through NDIS plans, which provide funding for employment supports and services tailored to individual needs. By leveraging these resources and following best practices informed by disability employment research, organisations can support people with disability to build confidence, develop new skills and achieve successful long-term employment outcomes.
The Future of Employment: Trends in Inclusion and Customisation
As the workforce evolves, trends in inclusion and customisation are shaping the future of employment. Customised employment is leading this shift, offering a personalised approach that values the unique strengths, skills and abilities of every individual. Employers are increasingly recognising the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, ty including greater innovation, creativity and productivity within their teams. The NDIS plan is playing a key role in helping people with disability access customised employment by funding the support and services needed to succeed. Through a collaborative job development process, job developers work closely with employers to understand business needs and create jobs that are a perfect fit for both the employee and the organisation. This results in higher job satisfaction, better employment outcomes and a higher quality of life for people with disability.
Thought leaders such as David Hammis and Cary Griffin have contributed to the field, highlighting the importance of self-determination, practical tactics and ongoing support throughout the customised employment journey. Their research and best practices have shaped how discovery, job development and ongoing support are used to create successful employment opportunities.
As demand for customised employment grows, it is essential for job developers, employers and support staff to continually develop their skills and knowledge. Staying up to date with the latest research and best practices ensures people with disability can access the support they need to thrive in the workforce. By working together, we can build a more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic workforce —one where everyone can contribute, succeed, and enjoy a fulfilling career.
Meet Peter Delimitrou – Our New NDIS Career Development Coach
Opening doors to inclusive career opportunities
We are pleased to welcome Peter Delimitrou to the Access CE team as our NDIS Career Development Coach. Based across the Hunter Valley, Sydney and Lithgow/Blue Mountains, Peter will work with individuals to build meaningful careers that align with their skills, interests and life goals.
Peter has over 20 years of experience across Disability Employment Services (DES) and Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) with a background in factory, hospitality and community-based roles. His passion and experience will be a great asset to participants and employers.
Let’s Get Started
Are you an employer looking to create a more inclusive and high-performing team? Or an NDIS participant ready to explore meaningful employment?
Access invites you to take the next step.
Contact Peter Delimitrou today at peterd@accessindustries.com.au or 0400 007 621
Explore resources for employers on our website.
NDIS participants and support networks can complete our online Expression of Interest form.
Let’s customise employment, because the best roles aren’t always written yet.