Engagement Specialist - Employment Services (All Melbourne VIC)

Build Real Careers & Make a Tangible Difference – Join Our Employment Team

About Ability Works

Ability Works Australia is a leading social enterprise creating tailored employment pathways for people with disability and individuals experiencing barriers to employment. We provide training and support for both social enterprise and mainstream employment opportunities, so that individuals can feel purpose, pride and belonging through employment.

We partner with individuals to uncover their unique strengths and capabilities, then work directly with employers to create tailored roles that lead to sustainable, fulfilling employment. We're breaking down barriers in recruitment and building inclusive workplaces where everyone can contribute and succeed.

About The Role

The Engagement Specialist supports people with disability to achieve sustainable, meaningful and inclusive employment outcomes through Inclusive Employment Australia and NDIS-funded Customised Employment services.

This is a person-centred and strengths-based role focused on understanding each client’s interests, skills, experience, aspirations and support needs. The Engagement Specialist uses this information to develop tailored employment pathways, build relationships with employers and industry, negotiate suitable roles and provide ongoing support to help clients succeed in employment.

Customised Employment focuses on creating individualised, community-based employment opportunities that align the strengths and interests of the client with the needs of an employer. This may include customised job design, representation and negotiation support,



workplace assistance and support for self-employment where appropriate.

The role involves working with clients across various locations and collaborating with employers, families, support networks, IEA and NDIS providers, government agencies and other stakeholders.

Our Employment Services team work across multiple regions including Bayside, Calder, Maroondah, Monash, Peninsula, Plenty, Yarra and Westgate.

The Engagement Specialist will be required to attend client relevant AWA Hub sites in a variety of regions in addition to the AWA offices in Kew.

Key Responsibilities In Your Role May Include

Client engagement and discovery

- Build respectful, trusting and professional relationships with clients and their support networks.
- Undertake person-centred discovery to understand each client’s interests, strengths, skills, experience, aspirations, preferred work environments and support requirements.
- Identify barriers and opportunities relating to employment, including transport, communication, workplace adjustments and social or environmental factors.
- Support clients to define their employment goals and make informed choices about their preferred employment pathway.
- Develop and regularly review individual employment plans and action plans.
- Promote client choice, control, self-determination, dignity and independence.

Employment development and job matching





- Identify and develop suitable employment opportunities aligned with the client’s strengths, interests and employment goals.
- Conduct labour-market research and build an understanding of local industry and employer requirements.
- Engage with employers to understand their workforce needs, workplace culture, operational requirements and potential opportunities.
- Use customised employment principles to identify or negotiate individualised job duties and roles.
- Support clients with job preparation, applications, interviews, work trials and employment commencement.
- Provide representation and negotiation support to facilitate mutually beneficial employment relationships.
- Explore self-employment, microenterprise and other alternative employment pathways where appropriate.

Employer and stakeholder engagement

- Build and maintain effective relationships with employers, industry representatives and community organisations.
- Promote the perks of a diverse and inclusive workforce and advocate for the employment of people with disability.
- Provide employers with practical advice regarding workplace inclusion, reasonable adjustments, onboarding and ongoing support.
- Collaborate with NDIS providers, support coordinators, allied health professionals, families, advocates and other relevant stakeholders.
- Represent the organisation positively at networking events, employer forums and community activities.

Workplace support and retention

- Support clients and employers during onboarding and the transition into employment.
- Identify and implement appropriate formal and informal workplace suppor

📌 Engagement Specialist-Employment Services (Melbourne)
🏢 Ability Works Australia
📍 Melbourne