What is the Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot?

The two-year pilot, which started on 1 March 2010, is trialling a new way of encouraging employers to offer work to people with disability who need ongoing support.

The Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot (DSP Pilot) aims to find 1 000 sustainable jobs for people who receive the Disability Support Pension (DSP).

The DSP Pilot offers wage subsidies of up to $3 000 to employers once a DSP recipient has been employed in a new job for at least eight hours per week for 26 weeks. 

The DSP Pilot is part of the National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy which aims to increase employment of people with disability and promote social inclusion.

Where will the Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot be implemented?

The DSP Pilot is being implemented by Disability Employment Services, that provide the Employment Support Service, in the 15 Labour Force Regions with the most DSP recipients:

Interested in finding work?

If you are interested in working and are receiving the DSP, the DSP Pilot may help you to obtain work.

The DSP Pilot provides you with opportunities to demonstrate your skills through employment placements of at least eight hours per week for 26 weeks.

Your Disability Employment Service will be able to tell you if you are eligible to participate in the DSP Pilot and answer any other questions you may have. 

If you get a job you may still be eligible to receive your pension. Normal income taper rates will apply.

Centrelink can provide you with more information about working while you receive DSP. Contact the Centrelink Disability, Sickness and Carers hotline on 13 27 17.