Post-School Options for Young People with Disability (2026)

Key points

• School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is an NDIS-funded program providing up to two years of employment readiness training
• Start planning for post-school transition at least two years before leaving school
• Options beyond employment include day programs, community participation, further education, and supported employment
• Disability Employment Services (DES) is a separate government program available to all people with disability, not just NDIS participants
• NDIS funding can cover disability-related supports for education, but not tuition fees

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Why post-school planning matters

Leaving school is a major life change for any young person. For young people with disability, it is one of the most significant transitions they will face. The structure, routine, and support systems that school provides suddenly end, and without a clear plan, there is a real risk of social isolation and disengagement.

Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that people with disability are significantly less likely to be employed or engaged in education after leaving school compared to their peers. But with the right planning and support, outcomes improve dramatically.

The good news is that there are more options available now than ever before. The NDIS has expanded post-school supports considerably since its introduction, and mainstream services like TAFE and universities have improved their disability support programs.

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Post-school pathways at a glance

Pathway	Who it suits	Funding source	Duration
SLES	School leavers with employment goals	NDIS	Up to 2 years
DES	Job seekers with disability	Australian Government	Ongoing
Open employment	People ready for competitive work	Employer/wages	Ongoing
Supported employment (ADE)	People who need ongoing workplace support	Australian Government + wages	Ongoing
TAFE/university	People wanting further education	HECS-HELP/state funding + NDIS for disability supports	Course duration
Day programs	People wanting structured social activities	NDIS (Community Participation)	Ongoing
Community participation	People wanting social connection and skill building	NDIS (Core Supports)	Ongoing
Life skills development	People building independence skills	NDIS (Capacity Building)	Plan period

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School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

SLES is the flagship NDIS program for young people transitioning from school to employment. It provides up to two years of intensive, individualised support to build the skills needed for paid work.

What SLES covers

SLES programs are tailored to each participant, but typically include:

• Work experience placements and job trials
• Travel training (learning to use public transport independently)
• Workplace social skills development
• Resume writing and interview preparation
• Financial literacy and money management
• Time management and organisational skills
• Workplace health and safety training

Who is eligible

To access SLES, you need to:

• Be an NDIS participant
• Be in your final year of school, or have recently left school (generally aged 15 to 22)
• Have employment as a stated goal in your NDIS plan
• Have SLES funding included in your plan (under Capacity Building, specifically “Finding and Keeping a Job”)

How to request SLES funding

Raise SLES at your NDIS plan review meeting. Bring supporting evidence:

• School transition plan or individual learning plan
• Letter from a teacher or careers adviser supporting employment goals
• Vocational assessment or skills profile (if available)
• Examples of work experience or volunteering already completed

The NDIA will assess whether SLES is “reasonable and necessary” based on the participant’s goals and circumstances.

Choosing a SLES provider

Not all SLES providers are the same. When comparing providers, ask:

• What industries do your work placements cover?
• What is your track record of participants moving into paid employment after SLES?
• How do you tailor programs to individual interests and abilities?
• Do you provide ongoing support after the SLES program ends?
• What is your staff-to-participant ratio?

Find SLES providers in your area through Carevo’s provider directory.

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Disability Employment Services (DES)

DES is an Australian Government program that helps people with disability find and keep a job. It is separate from the NDIS and is available to anyone with disability who is looking for work, whether or not they are an NDIS participant.

How DES works

DES providers work with you to:

• Assess your skills and employment goals
• Search and apply for suitable jobs
• Prepare for interviews
• Provide on-the-job support during the first few months
• Help with workplace modifications if needed

DES providers are paid partly based on outcomes (getting you into work and keeping you there), which means they have a financial incentive to find you a good match.

DES vs SLES

Feature	SLES	DES
Funded by	NDIS	Australian Government
Duration	Up to 2 years	Ongoing (as long as you need support)
Focus	Building employment readiness	Finding and keeping a job
Eligibility	NDIS participants, school leavers	Any person with disability, job age
When to use	First, to build skills	After SLES, or if already job-ready

Many young people complete SLES first to build foundational skills, then transition to DES for job placement support.

Finding a DES provider

You can search for DES providers through jobaccess.gov.au or by calling the Disability Employment Services line on 1800 464 800.

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Further education options

TAFE

All Australian TAFEs have disability support services. These can include:

• Learning support officers in classes
• Modified assessment arrangements (extra time, alternative formats)
• Assistive technology loans
• Orientation and campus familiarisation
• Mentoring and tutoring

TAFE courses range from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma level and cover practical, vocational skills. Many TAFEs offer courses specifically designed for students with disability, covering areas like hospitality, horticulture, retail, and office skills.

NDIS funding can cover the disability-related supports you need to attend TAFE (transport, personal care, support workers), but not the course fees themselves.

University

Australian universities are required to provide reasonable adjustments for students with disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. University disability services typically offer:

• Note-taking services
• Exam modifications
• Accessible learning materials
• Assistive technology
• Academic mentoring

The Disability Support Program provides funding to universities to deliver these services. As with TAFE, NDIS funding can cover disability-related supports but not tuition.

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Day programs and community participation

For young people who are not pursuing employment or further education, or who want structured activities alongside other pathways, day programs and community participation are strong options.

Day programs

Day programs provide structured group activities during weekday hours. Activities might include:

• Arts and crafts
• Music and drama
• Cooking and life skills
• Exercise and sport
• Community outings
• Social skills development

Day programs are funded through the NDIS under Core Supports (Community Participation). Some programs focus on skill building, while others prioritise social connection and recreation.

Community participation

Community participation funding allows individuals to access activities in the community with support. This could be attending a gym, joining a sports club, volunteering, or participating in community events.

The level of support depends on the individual. Some people need one-on-one support, while others can participate in group activities with a lower support ratio.

Find day programs and community participation providers through Carevo’s provider directory.

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Supported employment

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) provide employment in a supported environment for people who need ongoing workplace support. Workers receive wages based on their assessed productivity under the Supported Wage System.

ADEs operate in industries including:

• Packaging and assembly
• Gardening and grounds maintenance
• Laundry services
• Hospitality and catering
• Recycling and waste management

The future of ADEs is under review following the 2024 Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, which recommended a transition towards open employment. However, ADEs continue to operate and remain an option for people who want structured, supported work.

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Life skills development

NDIS Capacity Building funding can be used for life skills development programs. These programs focus on building independence in areas like:

• Cooking and meal preparation
• Personal hygiene and self-care
• Money management and budgeting
• Using public transport
• Social skills and relationship building
• Household tasks (cleaning, laundry, shopping)

Life skills programs are particularly relevant for young people transitioning from school, as they build the foundations for greater independence in adulthood.

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Planning timeline

Starting early makes a big difference. Here is a suggested timeline:

When	What to do
Year 10	Begin exploring post-school options. Attend information sessions. Talk to your school’s transition coordinator.
Year 11	Request vocational assessments. Visit potential providers and programs. Include post-school goals in your next NDIS plan review.
Year 12 (Term 1)	Apply for SLES or DES. Enrol in TAFE/university if applicable. Finalise NDIS plan with post-school supports.
Year 12 (Term 3-4)	Attend orientations. Start SLES or work experience placements. Set up transport arrangements.
After school	Begin your chosen pathway. Review and adjust after 3-6 months.

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How Carevo can help

Carevo connects families with disability employment providers, community access services, life skills development programs, and support coordination to help with post-school transition planning.

Looking for post-school support providers? Browse providers on Carevo or call 1800 953 253 to find the right support for your young person.

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FAQ

What is SLES and who is eligible?

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is an NDIS-funded program for young people in their final year of school or who have recently left. It provides up to two years of employment readiness support. You need to be an NDIS participant with employment goals in your plan.

When should I start planning?

At least two years before leaving school, ideally in Year 10 or 11. This gives time to explore options, request NDIS funding, and connect with providers.

Can NDIS funding be used for TAFE or university?

NDIS does not cover tuition fees. It can cover disability-related supports needed to participate in education, such as transport, support workers, assistive technology, and personal care.

What is the difference between SLES and DES?

SLES is NDIS-funded and focuses on building employment skills over one to two years. DES is a separate government program focused on finding and keeping a job. Many people use SLES first, then transition to DES.

What if my child cannot work?

Employment is not the only option. Day programs, community participation, supported employment, and life skills programs are all viable pathways. NDIS plans can include funding for structured activities and community engagement.

How do I get SLES in an NDIS plan?

Request it at your next plan review. Bring evidence like a school transition report, vocational assessment, or letter from a careers adviser supporting employment goals.

Are there options outside the NDIS?

Yes. DES, TAFE disability services, university disability support, and state-funded transition programs are all available regardless of NDIS participation.

What is supported employment?

Working in a supported environment, often an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE), with ongoing workplace support and wages based on assessed productivity.

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Resources

• NDIS - Finding and Keeping a Job - SLES and employment support information
• JobAccess - Disability employment information and DES provider search
• TAFE Disability Services - Example of TAFE disability support
• Australian Disability Enterprises - Information on supported employment