Disability Employment Services vs open employment: which path fits your job search
By Diego Reyes · Updated 2026-06-30
If you’re job hunting with a disability in Perth, there are really two broad paths: go through a Disability Employment Services (DES) provider, or search the open job market on your own terms. Plenty of people end up doing a mix of both, but it helps to understand what each one actually offers before deciding where to put your energy.
What DES actually provides
A DES provider gets funding to help you prepare for, find, and stay in a job, not just hand you a list of vacancies. That usually includes help with resumes and interview practice, direct connections to employers who’ve worked with the provider before, and ongoing on-the-job support once you’re placed, which is the part that sets DES apart from a regular recruitment agency. Support doesn’t stop the day you’re hired; a lot of DES value shows up in the weeks after you start, helping smooth over things like workplace adjustments or a rocky first fortnight.
What open employment looks like instead
Searching the open market means applying directly through job boards, employer websites, or your own networks, the same way anyone else job hunts. Some people prefer this because it gives them full control over timing and which roles they go for, without needing to fit into a provider’s caseload or process. The trade-off is that you’re managing disclosure, adjustments and any workplace friction yourself, without a support worker in your corner if things get complicated early on.
Comparing the two paths
| Disability Employment Services | Open employment | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to you | Free, government-funded | Free, but no funded support |
| Employer connections | Provider-built relationships | Whatever networks you already have |
| Post-placement support | Usually included | Not built in |
| Pace and control | Set partly by provider processes | Entirely your own timing |
| Best fit for | Wanting structured help and workplace backup | Confident job seekers who prefer full control |
Why the choice isn’t permanent
This isn’t a one-time fork in the road. Plenty of people start with a DES provider to get through the early, harder stretch of job searching and workplace adjustment, then manage things independently once they’re settled. Others do the reverse: try the open market first, then bring in DES support after a setback like a job loss or a change in health that makes returning to work harder than expected. Either direction is a normal, sensible response to how the job search is actually going, not a sign of failure.
What to expect if you go the DES route
A first meeting with a DES provider should cover your work goals, any adjustments or supports you need in a workplace, and a rough plan for the kind of roles they’ll pursue on your behalf. Expect them to ask about your experience honestly, including gaps, since that shapes which employer relationships they’ll draw on. If a provider seems more focused on hitting a placement number than finding a genuine fit for you, that’s worth raising directly, and you’re entitled to ask for a transfer if the match isn’t working. If you need help pushing that further, our guide to free and low-cost disability advocacy in Perth covers where to get support with a dispute.
Talking about disability with an employer
Whichever path you take, disclosure comes up eventually, deciding what to tell an employer, when, and how much detail to go into. A DES provider can help you think through this in advance, including what workplace adjustments are reasonable to ask for and how to raise them without over-explaining. Job seekers going it alone through open employment are working this out on their own, which is manageable but takes more preparation upfront, particularly around knowing what you’re entitled to ask for.
Making the call
If you’re not sure which path suits you, it’s worth trying an initial DES appointment even if you end up doing most of the actual searching yourself. There’s no cost and no obligation to stay with a provider that isn’t adding value, and the structured support can be worth having in reserve even if you don’t use all of it.
For a look at the full range of Disability Employment Services providers in Perth, our directory covers both DES specialists and broader employment support options side by side. Our methodology explains how those listings are assessed and ranked, and the homepage has the wider set of disability service categories if employment isn’t the only thing you’re navigating right now.
Whichever path you choose, it’s worth revisiting the decision every few months rather than locking in on the first approach and sticking with it regardless of how the job search is actually going.
FAQ
- Do I need an NDIS plan to access Disability Employment Services?
- No. DES is a separate, federally funded program from the NDIS, so you can access it whether or not you have an NDIS plan, as long as you meet the program's eligibility rules.
- Can I use DES and still apply for jobs on my own?
- Yes. Most participants do both. A DES provider adds structured support and employer connections alongside your own applications, rather than replacing them.
- Is DES only for people who've never worked?
- No. It's used just as often by people returning to work after a break, a change in condition, or a job loss, not only first-time job seekers.
- What if a DES provider isn't finding me suitable roles?
- You can raise it directly with them, and you're generally free to transfer to a different DES provider if the match genuinely isn't working.