An exploration of trends in open employment in Australia since 1986

The Disability Services Act of 1986 brought about major changes in the way disability services were provided in Australia. The introduction of open employment services for people with high support needs has been lifechanging for many people with disabilities. People with significant disabilities are now in open employment in far larger numbers and there have been consistent efforts by government to develop the policy framework to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the program. The number of people with disability accessing open employment services has experienced significant growth over time – an overall growth of 186% from 1998–99 to 2009–2010. However it is now clear that these reforms have had differential effects for different groups of people with disabilities. The initial growth in the number of people with intellectual disability participating in the open employment program has stalled. There is a need to examine what can be done to improve open employment participation for people with intellectual disabilities in Australia.