White background with a thin blue border. The text is different shades of green that reads: "JobMatch All Abilities". The QDN and ULaunch logos are disaplyed.

All Abilities JobMatch Program FAQ 

Interested in being an All Abilities JobMatch host employer but have questions? We answer your frequently asked questions.
Still have questions or want to discuss the program? Contact our project lead, Danielle Harvey at qdn@qdn.org.au or on 1300 363 783.

How do I become a host employer?
Fill out an EOI form or call us on 1300 363 783 to arrange a meeting with our team to discuss next steps.

We’ve never hired a person with a disability before. Does this matter?
No. The All Abilities JobMatch program is designed to support employers at every stage, whether this is your first time hiring a person with disability or you already have employees with disability on your team.

You’ll have access to tailored advice and practical supports from people with lived experience of disability, helping you build your team’s confidence and create a disability inclusive workplace.

Does it cost anything for my organisation to participate?
Nothing! It’s free to be a host employer. Your organisation will be paid up to $15,000 for being part of the program to go towards intern wage and on costs.

What help is available to our organisation to support the internship placement?
QDN and uLaunch are available to help you:

  • Identify an internship position suitable for your organisation.
  • Write an inclusive position description.
  • Create job ads that target suitable job seekers.
  • Source eligible interns.
  • Advise on inclusive recruitment practices.

What does the $15,000 payment cover?
Employers receive a $15,000 payment to aid with:

  • Intern wage costs
  • Oncosts

How much are interns paid?
Intern wages are determined by the employer in accordance with the relevant award rate.

How long are the internships?
Internships run for a minimum of 12 weeks and can be contracted on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Are internships part-time or full-time?
Internships can be either part-time or full-time. We encourage flexibility to accommodate people with disability who may not be able to work full-time hours.

What kinds of roles can be offered as internship positions?
Internships can be hosted in any area of your organisation. We will work with you to design a tailored internship position that benefits your organisation, builds on your strengths, and helps develop the intern’s skills and experience to boost their employability.

Examples of past All Abilities JobMatch internships:

  • Administration Intern
  • Human Resources Intern
  • Communications and Resource Development Intern
  • Inclusion Helper
  • Social Media and Marking Intern

See our All Abilities JobMatch Internship Guidelines for more information.

Who is eligible to apply for an internship?
The All Abilities JobMatch program is open to all people who identify as having a disability.

See our All Abilities JobMatch Internship Guidelines for more information.

Does an applicant have to identify with a specific disability?
No. It doesn’t matter what their disability is. Disabilities are diverse and everyone’s lived experience of disability is unique.
We’ll work with you and the intern to identify any workplace adjustments required to accommodate the successful candidate.

See our All Abilities JobMatch Internship Guidelines for more information.

How does the recruitment process work?
You'll advertise the role using your usual recruitment channels. Our team can help ensure your job ad is accessible and inclusive.
We’ll help you reach eligible candidates through our networks and help find the right candidate for you.

What happens if my intern is unable to finish their internship?
If an intern needs to cease their internship due to unforeseen circumstances before the completion of the 12-week period, the total incentive will be calculated based on the proportion of the time the intern served.

Am I required to offer the intern a job after the internship ends?
No. There’s no obligation to offer ongoing employment to your intern beyond the 12 weeks.
Many past participating employers have seen their interns become integral team members, who develop valuable skills throughout the program and contribute unique perspectives as people with disability—often leading to ongoing employment opportunities.

What paperwork will I need to complete?
To confirm your involvement, QDN will send you an Employer Agreement form.
In addition, you will need to provide:

  • Position Description for the internship
  • Internship employment contract

Can the internship replace an existing role in the organisation?
No. All Abilities JobMatch internships must be a new or an additional role within the organisation.

Can I encourage one of our volunteers to apply for the internship?
Yes. But the intern must not be a paid employee, and the internship role should be different from their volunteer role.

When will my organisation receive payments?
$15,000 payment will be paid to participating employers in two installments:

  • First payment: $5000 payment paid on evidence of employment of the graduate intern, such as letter of offer and position description.
  • Final payment: $10,000 payment paid at completion of 12-week internship.

What happens to our payments if we offer our intern an ongoing employment contract before their internship period ends?
If the Intern is offered a permanent position by the host employer within 12 weeks, the employer will be entitled to receive the full incentive of $15,000 upon the employee signing the contract.

What is an Inclusion Consultant and what do they do?
An Inclusion Consultant combines their personal experience as a person with disability and professional expertise to support workplace inclusion.
Connecting with an Inclusion Consultant is included in the All Abilities JobMatch program.
Our team will connect you with an Inclusion Consultant who can assist you on your disability inclusion journey from pre-recruitment onwards. Inclusion Consultants can:

  • Help you conduct an Employer Access and Inclusion Health Check to understand your organisation’s strengths and areas for improvement.
  • Deliver disability awareness training to your team.
  • Offer advice on job descriptions and job ads.
  • Offer guidance on inclusive employment practices including inclusive interviews and workplace adjustments.
  • Advise on disability action plans and related policies.