A new quarterly report from the NDIA sheds light on the outcomes of school leaver employment supports (SLES) from July 2023 to June 2024. The results? Uneven.

It’s the moment of truth. You’ve left school, full of ambition, clutching a support plan from the NDIS—and now you’re expected to find your place in the working world. But for thousands of young people with disability, the dream of paid employment remains elusive, despite targeted programs aimed at smoothing the transition.

More than 7,300 young people received tailored supports to prepare them for work, with almost half that number starting this financial year. These supports include everything from communication training and job-seeking skills to actual work placements. In theory, the model works. In practice, the path to employment remains steep.

Out of 2,165 young people who exited the program, only 22% found open employment. That’s fewer than one in four. Most left without a job.

This is despite what seems like a strong pipeline: nearly half of participants’ time was spent on building critical workplace behaviours and social skills. Just under half received one-on-one support. Yet the numbers tell a story of a system struggling to deliver on its promise.

It’s not all bleak. Those who did find paid work largely landed jobs in retail, hospitality and the trades, with many using their NDIS supports to stay employed. The message is clear: when young people are supported early and well, they can succeed.

But the rising number of school leavers entering the program, combined with stagnant employment outcomes, raises a bigger question. Are we simply training for the sake of training?

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Where the System Works—and Where It Doesn’t

A closer look at the data reveals which interventions pay off. Participants who received targeted training—particularly in employer engagement, job customisation and real-world work experience—were far more likely to land jobs.

This makes sense. Confidence doesn’t come from the classroom alone. It grows when young people face real expectations in real workplaces.

That said, only 11% of those who gained jobs ended up in full-time roles. Most worked casually or part-time, and almost a third required ongoing support to maintain employment. For some, that meant support workers in the workplace. For others, it meant using NDIS-funded job coaching.

Another challenge is systemic: almost two-thirds of participants had either autism or intellectual disability, yet few employers seem equipped—or willing—to offer genuinely inclusive work environments.

And then there’s the bureaucratic hurdle. New NDIA rules require providers to report precise employment start dates before an outcome “counts.” While this improves data accuracy, it may also underreport success or discourage creative job placements that don't fit the mould.

Still, the data points to solutions. More time in actual jobs—not just simulated tasks. More targeted training—not just generic programs. And most importantly, more employers stepping up, with the NDIA backing them when they do.

The School Leaver Employment Supports program is well-intentioned. But successful work placements are about much more than productivity.

Not everyone always falls into the right job straight away.

Speaking of work, if anyone wants to give journalism a go please feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected] or 0410 278 827. But a word of warning - unfortunately we have no money to pay for your contribution or ability to train and supervise. But any volunteers would be greatly appreciated!