Supported Wage System (SWS)

Most Australians who have a disability and participate in the open workforce do so at full rates of pay. But there are some people who find it hard to get or keep a job at full wage rates because their disability affects their level of work productivity.

If this applies to you, the Supported Wage System (SWS) will fund an on-the-job productivity assessment conducted by independent assessors to determine a fair pay based on your work productivity.

Industrial Relations Frameworks

The Supported Wage System operates within existing state and federal industrial relations regulatory frameworks. The assessed percentage of productivity applies to wages only. All other employment conditions, such as leave entitlements and access to training, apply in accordance with existing employment conditions. The assessed wage rate is also applied to any leave entitlement of the worker with a disability.

If an eligible employee with a disability is starting work in a new job, employers may also receive a one-off payment to help offset the cost of employing that person. The payment is not available if the employer is already receiving assistance in the form of a wage subsidy as part of the Wage Subsidy Scheme or from any other source.

For further information click on the link to the Supported Wage System
Or contact DEWR SWS Management Unit, GPO Box 9879, Canberra ACT 2600 on Phone: 1800 065 123