Supported Employment
Build your career in horticulture, retail or hospitality.
- Build new skills
- Be part of the community
- Make connections and friends
- Gain confidence and independence
What is Supported Employment?
Work that is structured differently to support people with diverse abilities and needs. Build skills and confidence that you can take with you into open employment, if you choose to.
Where can I work as a Supported Employee?
We operate four social enterprises where we support employees:
- - Knoxbrooke Nursery
- - Knoxbrooke Vintage Vibes
- - Knoxbrooke Coffee
- - Knoxbrooke Nursery
How can I apply as a Supported Employee?
If you are 18+ and have a current NDIS plan, you may be eligible to join one of our wonderful teams. Click below to speak with our Intake + Support Options team today.
Supported Employment FAQ
Supported Employment provides people with disability, who have appropriate NDIS funding, the opportunity to work in a supportive and inclusive environment while developing skills, confidence, and independence.
Beyond earning an income, work helps people build self-esteem, create meaningful social connections, be part of a team, and experience the sense of purpose and achievement that comes from making a valuable contribution. At Knoxbrooke, we believe meaningful employment can have a positive impact on wellbeing, personal growth, and community inclusion
People interested in Supported Employment at Knoxbrooke are welcome to make a no-obligation enquiry or apply to join our workplace. As part of the process, we will gather information about your goals, interests, support needs, and location to help determine whether our Supported Employment program is the right fit for you.
All applicants participate in an interview and assessment process, allowing us to better understand their individual circumstances and identify the most suitable pathway forward.
In some cases, we may not be able to safely provide the level of support a person requires. If this occurs, we will discuss alternative services or support options that may be better suited to their needs. Our priority is ensuring every individual has access to meaningful opportunities and the support that best enables them to achieve their goals.
If positions are available, the first step is to attend a workplace tour at Knoxbrooke. During the tour, you’ll meet the Practice Leader, learn more about our Supported Employment program, meet members of the team, and gain an understanding of what it’s like to work with us. The tour also gives both you and Knoxbrooke the opportunity to determine whether our workplace and support model are the right fit for your goals and support needs.
If Supported Employment at Knoxbrooke is a suitable match, you’ll be invited to submit an application, along with a cover letter and resume, to be considered for available opportunities.
To register your interest, please contact our Intake and Support Options team via our online enquiry form or email ndis@knoxbrooke.com.au. Our team will guide you through the intake process and answer any questions you may have.
Yes. We encourage prospective employees to attend a workplace tour before applying for a position.
The tour gives you the opportunity to learn about the service, meet staff, see the workplace in action, and determine whether Supported Employment at Knoxbrooke is a good fit for your goals and interests.
It also helps us better understand your support needs and employment aspirations. If Supported Employment at Knoxbrooke appears to be a suitable pathway, we’ll invite you to complete an application and proceed to the next stage of the process. If we believe another service or pathway may better support your goals, we’ll discuss those options with you and your support network.
Starting employment depends on:
- Availability of suitable positions within your preferred service
- Asuccessful application and interview process
- Eligibility to receive the disability support pension, (requirement of the Supported Wage System)
- Adequate NDIS funding
- Successful registration with the Supported Wage System
- A successful Crim Check
We keep your details on a waiting list, and can you let you know as soon as a position is available.
Yes, supported employees are paid under the Supported Employment Services Award (SESA).
Yes. All supported employees receive support while at work even during breaks. Knoxbrooke’ s support model includes approximately one hour of dedicated 1:1 support each day, additional support from Employment Support Officers, and ongoing support within small work teams. Support ratios are up to 1:2 in Hospitality Services and up to 1:3 in Garden, Nursery, and Vintage Vibes services. During the application process, we assess whether this support model is suitable for an individual’s needs to ensure a safe and successful employment experience.
No, Knoxbrooke staff are trained and experienced in the supported employment area you are working in and will support you to ensure a comprehensive induction into the service and your role. There will always be someone available to support you.
All new employees receive a comprehensive workplace induction to help them understand their role, workplace expectations, and day-to-day responsibilities. Our Employment Support Officers provide personalised training and support tailored to each employee’s individual goals, learning style, strengths, and support needs.
Employees are encouraged to build their confidence, develop new skills, and gain valuable workplace experience. As skills and capabilities grow, there may be opportunities to take on new tasks and work across different areas of the business.
Support is regularly reviewed and adjusted to reflect each employee’s development, with the goal of fostering independence and enabling every employee to work as confidently and effectively as possible.
Knoxbrooke does not currently offer after-hours work. However, some services do operate on weekends, and Saturday work may be an option once you are established in your role and comfortable with your responsibilities. Weekend opportunities depend on position availability, discussions with your Practice Leader, and whether appropriate NDIS funding is available to support Saturday attendance.
Interested in employment but not feeling quite ready?
We can help get you there.
We have a variety of pathways at Knoxbrooke to help you prepare for employment.