Hivetec-DES-Report-V1.4

IMPROVING THE GATEWAY AND ASSESSMENT
PROCESS FOR DES PARTICIPANTS
Current Model
Weaknesses with assessment process noted
Concerns around the effectiveness and efficiency of
ESAts and Job Capacity Assessments (JCAs).
Changes Proposed
Improved assessment process
Current assessment process is under review
Implications
1. Employment Services Assessment (ESAt): changes to ESAts are not part of the reforms commencing on 1 July
2018. However, a review of assessments will be undertaken, in consultation with the sector, which may result
in changes being introduced from 2019 as the new DES program becomes established.
2. The National Panel of Assessors (NPA) provides a range of assessment services to meet the needs of people
with disability in the workplace. Existing NPA contracts will be extended from 30 June 2017 to 30 June 2018,
and a new NPA will be established in 2018 through an application process.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
CASELOAD / INSIGHTS
We know that approximately 90,000 individuals are actively engaged in DES at any one time with a churn
factor of approx. (2:1) over a rolling twelve-month period. Considerable volumes of additional individuals
not receiving DES services could become eligible at some point in the future. e.g. some could be eligible
under NDIS employment supports, in total its estimated that approx. 250,000 eligible participants don’t
presently consume the DES service, with most sitting at the (0-14) hour work capacity assessment. (DHS
Administrative Date – Provider Briefing June 2017)
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