NDIS School Leaver Employment Supports Guide for Families

NDIS school leaver employment supports give young participants practical training to move from secondary school into paid work. This early support builds everyday job readiness, workplace confidence, and travel routines during Year 11, Year 12, and the first two years after leaving school. We help Victorian families understand and organise these pathways.

Key Takeaways

• Funding sits under Capacity Building: Finding and Keeping a Job using support item code 10_021_0102_5_3.
• Funding is typically allocated as an annual block of roughly $22,000 per year for up to two years post-school, subject to NDIA approval.
• Programs focus on pre-employment preparation, public transport training, money handling, and workplace routines.
• Support coaches use a fading support model so participants learn to work independently.
• Young people can step directly into open employment, supported roles, or vocational traineeships.

What Is SLES and What Does It Do

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is an early capacity-building support funded by the NDIS. Leaving high school brings big changes to daily routines, friendships, and structure. SLES gives young people a practical bridge between the classroom and adult working life.

SLES is not a job placement service, and it is not an ongoing day centre. Instead, it functions as a training base. It gives leavers the tools, practice, and confidence they need before they enter the open job market.

Families in Melbourne suburbs like Gladstone Park, Tullamarine, and Broadmeadows often reach Year 12 without a clear vocational next step. SLES fills that gap by letting leavers test different jobs, practice real tasks, and build solid everyday habits.

Core Goals of the Program

• Testing personal interests across different work settings.
• Learning how to manage daily work routines without teacher supervision.
• Building practical skills that apply to any workplace.
• Preparing for open or supported employment.

Who Is Eligible for SLES

Eligibility centres on age, schooling stage, and personal goals. A young person must be an active NDIS participant with an approved plan that includes a clear goal about working or preparing for work.

Supports are designed for Year 11 and Year 12 leavers, typically between the ages of 15 and 22. Completing Year 12 is not mandatory. Students who leave school early can still access SLES as long as they meet the age and plan criteria.

The NDIA reviews whether a school leaver is ready for immediate open work. Participants assessed as capable of working independently for eight or more hours each week are usually directed to mainstream employment programs. SLES serves young people who need extra coaching and practice before they can work on their own.

Eligibility Checklist

• Active NDIS participant status.
• Age between 15 and 22 years.
• An explicit employment goal written in the NDIS plan.
• Need for pre-employment capacity building before working eight hours a week independently.

How SLES Funding Works in an NDIS Plan

SLES is funded under the Capacity Building budget. Specifically, it sits inside Category 10, which is Finding and Keeping a Job. You can verify this in the NDIS official guidelines or through your myNDIS portal.

The National Disability Insurance Agency uses support item code 10_021_0102_5_3 for this service. Unlike therapy or core support, SLES does not rely on hourly billing. It uses annual block funding of roughly $22,000 per year where approved. Across two years, a plan may receive up to around $44,000 for structured employment coaching.

Recent 2024 claiming rules mean providers cannot bill this annual sum upfront. Providers must show clear service agreements, scheduled activities, and progress reporting to draw down payments against agreed milestones.

Practical Skills Young People Build in SLES

Foundational work readiness forms the core of every quality SLES schedule. Providers work on real-world skills that apply to any job setting.

These classroom and community skills give participants the base they need for practical placements with local businesses.

Everyday Work Skills

• Travel training: Practicing bus and train routes, reading timetables, topping up transport cards, and managing delays.
• Money handling: Counting cash, understanding weekly payslips, budgeting for lunch, and checking bank balances.
• Time management: Setting morning alarms, arriving on time, tracking shift breaks, and keeping a weekly calendar.
• Workplace hygiene: Dressing appropriately for specific roles, staying clean, and understanding personal space.
• Self-advocacy: Asking for help when confused, learning safety rules, and managing sensory needs in busy rooms.

Work Experience and the Fading Support Model

Real work readiness requires hands-on experience. SLES providers partner with local employers to arrange work experience placements, job tasters, and site tours.

During initial visits to local workplaces, a job coach accompanies the participant. The coach helps break down complex tasks, explains the work culture, and provides reassurance on site.

As the participant gains confidence, the provider applies a fading support model. The coach gradually steps back, allowing the participant to take full ownership of their duties. This approach encourages natural supports among workmates and builds long-term self-reliance.

How the Fading Support Model Works

• Stage 1: Full hands-on guidance from a coach during every task.
• Stage 2: Periodic check-ins while the participant completes routine tasks.
• Stage 3: Remote support where the coach steps back and workmates provide standard guidance.

How Long SLES Funding Lasts and the Two-Year Timeline

SLES funding runs for up to two years post-school. This two-year clock typically begins once secondary school finishes, though initial exploratory sessions can occur during Year 12.

The pacing remains flexible. Some participants build skills quickly and transition into paid work within eight or nine months. Other participants benefit from using the full two years to test multiple industries, such as hospitality, retail, and warehousing.

If a participant finishes their two years without reaching full open employment readiness, support does not stop dead. Participants can shift into standard hourly items under Finding and Keeping a Job, explore supported employment, or layer core support workers into their day.

Pathways After SLES and Long-Term Employment Options

Planning for life after SLES should begin at least six months before funding finishes. Young adults have several realistic post-school options:

1. Open employment: Working in regular commercial jobs alongside colleagues without disabilities. Job seekers connect with employment consultants through the Australian Government system. Inclusive Employment Australia replaced Disability Employment Services in late 2025 to manage long-term placement and workplace retention, as outlined by the Department of Social Services.
2. Supported employment: Working within social enterprises or Australian Disability Enterprises, which offer ongoing, structured supervision tailored to higher support needs.
3. Vocational study and traineeships: Moving into TAFE courses or school-based traineeships. Eligible apprentices can access wage support through the Australian Apprenticeships DAAWS program.

Participants who experience mental health barriers or significant anxiety during this transition can also explore our recovery coaching services to maintain confidence and emotional resilience. Victorian families can also explore state-based pathway planning resources through the Victorian Government career planning guide.

How to Get SLES in an NDIS Plan

SLES is not placed into an NDIS plan automatically. Families must bring clear evidence to their scheduled NDIS planning meeting or plan reassessment.

NDIS school leaver employment supports require clear justification showing that the young person has the potential to work but needs structured preparation before starting.

Key Evidence to Gather

• A documented employment goal written in the participant's own words.
• A recent school exit plan, transition summary, or Individual Learning Plan from secondary school teachers.
• Functional capacity evaluations or sensory reports completed by an occupational therapist.
• Records of any work experience or volunteer shifts completed during high school.

How a Support Coordinator Helps with the Move from School

Transitioning out of high school can feel overwhelming for parents and teens. A dedicated support coordinator works with your family to align school reports, arrange provider consultations, and prepare documentation for plan reviews.

We help families compare local providers across North-West Melbourne, ensuring the chosen organisation offers real community work placements rather than desk-based theory alone.

Our support coordination services help families find SLES providers and check the funding is in the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my teen get SLES if they leave school early?

Yes, young people who leave school before completing Year 12 can access SLES if they meet the general age and plan criteria. The young person must be an NDIS participant, be aged between 15 and 22, and have an employment goal in their plan.

Does SLES guarantee an immediate job placement?

No, SLES is a capacity-building program rather than a recruitment agency. Its purpose is to build the foundational skills, routines, and confidence needed to obtain and maintain employment over time.

What happens if my teen needs support past two years?

If a young person completes two years of SLES but still needs assistance, the NDIS can allocate standard hourly finding and keeping a job funding. Participants can also transition into supported employment settings or use core support workers for workplace tasks.

Can SLES run alongside university or TAFE courses?

Yes, SLES can run alongside vocational study or short courses. While SLES funds cannot pay course tuition fees, providers can support students with study routines, campus navigation, and transport planning.

Ready to Plan Your Teen's Work Future?

Connect with our coordination team in Gladstone Park to discuss post-school pathways and how to prepare your NDIS review documentation.

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