Benefits of hiring people with disability
Disability is wide-ranging and comes in many forms. We acknowledge that the language around disability is evolving and there is active debate in the community and different preferences about ways to describe disability. We acknowledge the importance of having conversations with individuals about their preferred language and not making assumptions. It is critical to respect individual preferences.
Some people prefer to be referred to as a 'person with disability' and others prefer 'disabled person'. Others prefer the use of language such as 'diverse abilities' rather than disability. The language used on this website is not intended to indicate a particular preference and we do not intend to exclude anyone on the basis that their preference differs to the style used. We welcome feedback on the language of disability.
When you need to employ someone, the main priority is to have the right person for the job and that may be someone with disability. People with disability – just like all employees – bring a range of skills and abilities to the workplace, and will strengthen your business through a more diverse, inclusive and stable workforce.
People with disability have always participated in the workforce, and strategies such as JobAccess, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the normalisation of flexible work arrangements have improved opportunities for people with disability to participate in work.
Video: Jess's valuable contribution
Nicole Jackson, Carers Queensland talks about the value of employing people with disability. Jess is a Local Area Coordinator with vision impairment. She helps clients navigate the NDIS process.
'Jess brings a whole range of skills, knowledge and experience to her role. And we're very fortunate that we get to capitalise on that, and we have Jess in that role of engaging directly with people to give them a really good customer service experience.'
– Nicole Jackson, Carers Queensland
Stronger workforce
Employing people with disability can provide many business benefits. Research shows workers with disability:
- are highly productive and innovative
- have lower absenteeism
- have fewer work accidents
- are likely to be job satisfied and stay longer with their employer.
Support from employer
In 2018, 88% of employed people aged 15–64 with a disability did not require additional support from their employer.
Time off work
In 2018, 82% of employed people aged 15–64 with disability said they do not need time off from work because of their disability.
Job satisfaction
In 2021, 62% of employed people aged 15–64 with disability were highly satisfied with their job, compared with 67% of those without disability.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Diverse perspectives
Having a diverse workforce provides your business with new ideas, insights, and potential improvements to existing products and services. It can break you out of old habits and ways of working, to bring greater efficiency and outcomes.
An inclusive workforce also helps to attract and retain new customers, and to gain better understanding of what your customers with disability may need. This may provide your business with a competitive edge.
Disability takes many different forms. Some people might have a physical or sensory disability. Others may have a mental health condition or be neurodivergent. Some will have a combination of conditions.
Some conditions, such as chronic pain, are also 'invisible', in that they are not obvious to others. Some workers may have a condition that impacts their abilities, but they don't identify as having a disability.
Regardless of the disability or condition, it’s important to focus on what people bring to the workplace and talk to people with disability about how to accommodate disability so they can succeed.
Some people with disability also identify as belonging to other social or cultural groups, such as LGBTIQ+, First Nations or migrants. The EmployableQ toolkit provides a non-prescriptive set of resources to guide and support organisations to build inclusive, welcoming, and safe workplaces for LGBTIQ+ people with disability.
By valuing the diverse identities and unique life experiences of your employees, you can create a stronger workforce to help your business thrive.
Video: Diversity is good for business
'Having that diverse set of experiences, the diverse way in which people work, has been so empowering to make us a better organisation and a better team.'
– Jaron Cohen, Partner Technology Manager, Microsoft Australia
Wider pool of job applicants
People with disability have traditionally been underemployed in the Australian workforce; despite many having appropriate skills and willingness to work, they have been unable to secure a suitable role due to various barriers to employment.
In recent years, a national shortage of skilled workers has prompted employers to explore ways to recruit skilled workers from underrepresented groups to fill job vacancies. Employers are becoming more inclusive in the way they design jobs within their organisation, and more creative in how they find staff and match them to an ideal position – including establishing a talent pipeline by partnering with training organisations. This has opened up a much broader pool of potential job applicants from groups who may have been previously excluded from employment.
Find out more about disability-inclusive recruitment practices.
Specialised skills and knowledge
A worker with disability can bring additional capabilities that give them an advantage over other workers. For example, a person with a physical disability can use their lived experience to provide better service to, or design better solutions for, customers with a similar condition. A person with autism may have especially good focus and attention to detail, allowing them to catch errors and complete tasks thoroughly and accurately.
Some companies have specifically sought neurodivergent employees due to the advantages this can bring their business. For example, Australian Spatial Analytics has an 80% neurodivergent workforce:
People with autism will lead the big data disruption in the Australian economy over the next 50 years. They’re up to 40% faster at tasks requiring visual problem-solving and pattern detection skills and 92% more accurate.
Video: Michael's story
Michael is employed as an admin assistant through the EmployABLE program from Autism Queensland, which matches employers with suitable workers. Michael has brought enormous value and financial benefits to his role.
'Michael directly reduces the number of errors that we might make and we catch them before they're actually turned into physical errors.'
– Nick Berlyn, Lysaght
Also consider...
- Read about hiring and recruiting staff and finding the right people.
- Contact one of our Industry Workforce Advisors to get specialised advice and support for your industry.
- Learn about hiring an apprentice or trainee with disability.
- Read more about the Back to Work program, which supports employers who hire long-term unemployed jobseekers.
- Find information, tips and resources on hiring and recruiting from our Mentoring for Growth mentors.
- Learn about safe and inclusive workplaces in the Employers guide to hiring people with disability.
- Discover Queensland's Disability Plan, which promotes access and inclusion for all Queenslanders with disability.
- Learn more about the Queenslanders With Disability Network, an advocacy organisation of, by and for people with diverse disability.