The EAF gives financial help to eligible people with disability and mental health conditions and employers to buy work related modifications, equipment, Auslan services and workplace assistance and support services. 

The EAF is available to eligible people with disability who are about to start a job, are self-employed or who are currently working. It is also available to people with disability who need Auslan assistance or special work equipment to look for and prepare for a job.

The EAF could help to buy work related modifications and services like:

• the cost of making adjustments to your physical workplace
• modifications to work vehicles
• special equipment for the workplace*
• information and communication devices*
• Auslan interpreting services
• specialist services for employees with specific learning disorders and mental health conditions
• disability awareness training for the workplace (including deafness awareness)
• mental health awareness and first aid training.

* There will be some circumstances where the percentage of personal use versus work use for some equipment will be considered when determining the amount of funding to be approved. A JobAccess Advisor will discuss this with you.

Free workplace assessments

A free workplace assessment through the EAF is available to help work out what modifications or equipment will best meet your needs and help you do your job. This is called a Workplace Modification Assessment. The assessment is done by a qualified professional. The Assessor will look at your workplace and any barriers that may exist; and talk with you and your employer to find solutions to make your workplace more flexible and accessible.

You usually need to have an assessment when applying for EAF if the assistance being purchased is over $1,000. JobAccess may waive the need for an assessment if, for example, your EAF application is submitted by a Government Employment Service provider like a Disability Employment Services (DES) and items cost less than $10,000.

Who can apply?

If you are a person with disability that meets EAF eligibility you can submit an EAF application with JobAccess Secure. If you need help to submit an application you can also:

• ask a friend, relative or advocate to help you with your application
• work with your employer to submit an application
• ask your DES, Workforce Australia Employment Services or Community Development Program provider to help you submit an online enquiry to JobAccess, or call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 and get a JobAccess Adviser to help you to submit an application.

Your EAF application may take up to 10 working days to assess and refer for assessment. Funding through the EAF is dependent on eligibility requirements being met, workplace assessment outcome and sourcing equipment and modifications from suppliers – this may take some time to finalise. A JobAccess Advisor will be in contact with you to request any further documentation and to help guide you through the application process.

Eligibility

• you must be an Australian Resident as defined in the EAF Guidelines
  • an exception to this requirement is where, from 1 June 2021, an Applicant is either a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) holder or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) holder
• you are currently in a job that is expected to continue for 13 weeks or more
• you are working at least 8 hours per week
• or if self-employed, be working at least 8 hours per week over the last 13 weeks and earning an hourly income that is at least equivalent to the National Minimum Wage
• you have an ongoing disability that has lasted, or will last at least two years and disability must limit, restrict or impair your ability to work.

• Phone: 1800 464 800