Employ for Ability

What Employ for Ability does

Employ for Ability Pty Ltd is a privately held, disability-led Australian social purpose organisation headquartered in Mitchell, Canberra, that supports the employment of neurodivergent Australians (primarily autistic and ADHD adults and school leavers) by working across two sides of the labour market. The firm assists neurodivergent individuals with employment readiness through NDIS-funded capacity-building supports including SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports), executive functioning, time management, communication, work-readiness, and hospitality programs, and provides employers with corporate training, consultancy, and end-to-end inclusion program design. It also operates neuroinclusive recruitment pathway partnerships with three Australian Public Service agencies: the Aurora Program with Services Australia, the Apollo Program with the Department of Home Affairs, and the Odyssey Program with the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority.

The core technology is not software but a service-delivery stack: evidence-based, neuro-affirming training and coaching frameworks delivered in-person at the Canberra office and via Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) through Microsoft Teams to a national audience. Proprietary components include the Neurodiversity Passport self-advocacy tool produced by Work Ready participants, an iterative screening and assessment process co-designed with neurodivergent jobseekers that deprioritises traditional interview methods, and strengths-based neuroinclusion strategies that integrate into existing organisational workflows rather than displacing them. Distribution spans direct enterprise sales for inclusion programs, self-serve individual bookings via the website, NDIS plan-managed services, and government partnership channels.

The business model combines four revenue streams: NDIS-funded capacity-building supports (managed services for individual participants), fee-for-service corporate training and consultancy (professional services delivered online or at client workplaces), individual online training bookings ranging from $110-$847 per session depending on duration and NDIS GST status, and managed-services partnerships with Australian Public Service agencies for neuroinclusive APS recruitment pathways. Marketing relies on a mix of organic social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), content marketing, community events, email (Mailchimp), earned media including the 2022 Telstra Best of Business ACT Building Communities Award, and referrals through Disability Employment Services and educational institution partners (ANU, UC, CIT).

Name

Employ for Ability

Legal name

Employ for Ability Pty Ltd

Website

https://employforability.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Neurodiversity Employment Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Employment Services (5613)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAEAJ

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYEDAAAKAO

Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Career Readiness & Employability Skills (Resume, Interview, Workplace Skills)

SECONDARYBPADAKAE

Workforce Development, Employment Readiness & Job Placement

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Education & Skills Development Programs

SECONDARYEDAKANAE

Supported Employment & Job Coaching

Education/Special Education & Learning Support Services/Transition Services (Post-Secondary, Employment & Independent Living)

Keywords

• Neurodiversity employment programs
• Disability inclusion training
• NDIS capacity building
• Neuroaffirming coaching services
• Autism employment support

Headquarters

HQ city

Mitchell, Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. NDIS-Funded Capacity Building Supports: Employment readiness coaching, executive functioning support, social and community participation groups, and tailored skill-building initiatives for neurodivergent adults funded through NDIS plans. These programs include SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports), Effective Communication Program, Time Management, Executive Functioning, Finance, Nutrition, Employment Pursuit, Work Ready, and Hospitality programs.
2. Corporate Training and Consultancy: Fee-for-service training programs delivered to organisations including Neurodiversity 1-0-1, Neurodiversity at Work General Awareness, Inclusive Communication for Managers, Workplace Adjustments, Best Practice Management, Fair and Inclusive Performance Management, and Recruitment and Retention through a Neurodiversity Lens. Programs are delivered online (VILT) or in-person at client workplaces.
3. Neuroinclusion Program Partnerships with Government: Partnership programs with Australian government agencies (Services Australia Aurora Program, Department of Home Affairs Apollo Program, IHACPA Odyssey Program) providing supported career pathways into the Australian Public Service for neurodivergent Australians. These programs offer analyst roles across key operational and policy areas.
4. Individual Online Training Bookings: Individual neurodivergent adults and employees can book spots in scheduled virtual instructor-led training sessions. Course prices range from $110-$847 depending on program duration and GST status (NDIS participants may be GST-free).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Employ for Ability designs and delivers neurodiversity employment programs, NDIS-funded training and social/community participation, and corporate consultancy on neuroinclusive hiring. The portfolio includes School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES), three APS partnership programs (Aurora with Services Australia, Apollo with Department of Home Affairs, Odyssey with IHACPA), online and in-person training workshops, and end-to-end employer inclusion support.

Product overview

Employ for Ability is a social purpose organisation offering a portfolio of neurodiversity-focused employment and training programs, not a single software product. The core offering consists of employment support programs (SLES for school leavers, and the Aurora, Apollo, and IHACPA Odyssey programs which are neuroinclusive APS recruitment partnerships), complemented by two parallel training arms: Online Training (VILT workshops for organisations on topics such as executive functioning, workplace adjustments, inclusive communication, and recruitment) and NDIS Training Programs (in-person Canberra-based group courses covering communication, time management, finance, hospitality, and more). The Social & Community Participation arm delivers NDIS-funded social groups and community skill-building, while Corporate Consultancy provides employer-facing neurodiversity advisory, training, and inclusion program design services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports) NDIS-funded individualised program for school leavers with autism or neurodivergence, delivering tailored courses on self-development, employment readiness, and supported work experience across hospitality, retail, gardening, groundskeeping, fast food, and cinema sectors.
• Aurora Neuroinclusion Program Partnership with Services Australia providing a neuroinclusive recruitment pathway for people with autism or ADHD into the Australian Public Service, with flexible, safe, and supportive hiring processes across various operational and policy areas.
• Apollo Neurodiversity Program Neurodiversity employment program operated in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, providing supported career pathways into the APS for neurodivergent candidates across various locations.
• IHACPA Odyssey Neuroinclusion Program Partnership with the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority delivering neuroinclusive recruitment and onboarding for neurodivergent Australians into APS Level 5 Analyst roles across key operational and policy areas.
• Online Training (Virtual Instructor-Led Training) Live online training workshops delivered via Microsoft Teams covering neuro-affirming executive functioning, workplace adjustments for managers and employees, inclusive communication, recruitment and retention through a neurodiversity lens, fair and inclusive performance management, and masking and burnout strategies.
• NDIS Training Programs In-person training programs in Canberra covering Effective Communication, Time Management, Executive Functioning, Finance, Nutrition, Employment Pursuit, Work Ready, and Hospitality, delivered as multi-week group sessions with individual coaching for NDIS-funded neurodivergent adults.
• NDIS Social & Community Participation NDIS-funded social groups (Dungeons & Dragons, Chess, Art, Games) and community participation activities (Mindfulness, Public Transport, Study Support, Gardening, Grounds Keeping) building skills toward employment and meaningful relationships.
• Corporate Consultancy & Inclusion Programs Neurodiversity consultancy for employers including tailored training, recruitment and selection of neurodivergent employees, manager coaching, executive coaching, workplace audits, and neuroinclusive recruitment process reviews.
• Inclusion Programs End-to-end neuroinclusive employment program support for organisations covering consultation and program design, talent sourcing, talent screening and assessment, employer readiness and transition, and in-workplace specialist support with ongoing coaching.

Quantifiable outcome

• 41% employment rate for Australians with autism (vs 83% for people without disability) - highlighting the addressable problem and market need
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Services AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program helping people with autism or ADHD diagnosis commence or progress careers in the Australian Public Service. The program offers a unique recruitment process that is flexible, safe, supportive, and inclusive with roles across various fields at Services Australia.
• Department of Home AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver the Apollo Neurodiversity Program providing supported career pathways into the Australian Public Service for neurodivergent Australians. Offers positions across various locations.
• Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver the Odyssey Neuroinclusion Program improving access to meaningful APS careers for neurodivergent Australians. Provides Level 5 Analyst roles across key operational and policy areas with neuroinclusive recruitment and onboarding pathway.
• SpecialisterneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organisation that developed assessment programs for neurodivergent employment. David Smith learned from Specialisterne's model during his research and placement work, influencing EFA's assessment approach.
• Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing the opportunity for participants to grow produce over a season at COGS gardens as part of the Gardening and Horticulture community participation program, learning hands-on plant care, design, and sustainable practices.
• Belconnen Model Aero ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing grounds keeping work experience opportunities where participants learn to use commercial ride mowers, whipper snippers, and other grounds keeping skills.
• Food Co-OpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBona fide cafe providing Hospitality Work Experience Program participants with experience rotating through all aspects of working in a cafe with coaching support, developing customer service, food preparation, and cash handling skills.
• Disability Employment Services (DES)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership network with disability employment services to engage with and refer neurodivergent job seekers who have disengaged from conventional job boards due to repeated rejection in standard application processes.
• Educational Institutions (ANU, UC, CIT)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with tertiary education institutions in Canberra including Australian National University, University of Canberra, and Canberra Institute of Technology that have created specialised support programs for neurodiverse students, serving as pipeline for potential program participants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DXC Dandelion Program: Corporate-led autism employment program established by DXC Technology that recruited, trained, and employed neurodivergent IT professionals. Comparable as an in-house neurodiversity employment model that complements the external consultancy that Employ for Ability sells to large employers.
• IBM Neurodiversity Hiring Program: IBM's established program hiring neurodivergent candidates into software development, cybersecurity, and consulting roles. Comparable as a global incumbent with a mature neurodiversity employment model that validates the broader category Employ for Ability operates in.
• SAP Autism at Work: SAP's enterprise-wide neurodiversity hiring program placing autistic candidates into technical roles across global offices. Comparable as a corporate incumbent cited in Employ for Ability's reference base that has built internal neurodiversity employment infrastructure.
• APM Employment Services: One of Australia's largest DES and NDIS employment services providers with national coverage. Comparable as a scaled incumbent that competes for the same NDIS-funded employment supports and corporate inclusion contracts but at much broader scope.

Direct peers

• EPIC Employment: Australian not-for-profit providing specialist employment services for people with mental health conditions and disabilities, including autism. Comparable as an Australian NDIS-adjacent employment services provider with a similarly social-purpose mission.
• Atwork Australia: Australian disability employment services provider supporting job seekers with disability into sustainable open employment. Comparable as a federally-funded DES provider with overlapping NDIS and employment-coaching service lines, though at much larger scale.
• Specialisterne: International social enterprise founded in Denmark that pioneered neurodiversity employment assessment and inclusive hiring programs. Directly comparable as the originator of the assessment methodology Employ for Ability explicitly cites as an inspiration, with operations in multiple countries including Australia.
• Untapped Talent: Trans-Tasman social enterprise focused on autism and neurodiversity employment, helping neurodivergent job seekers find work and training employers. Closest direct peer in the Australasian market with a similar dual focus on candidate support and employer readiness.

Others

• Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect): Australia's largest autism-specific service provider offering diagnostics, schools, therapy, and employment pathway support. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem player in the autism services space that operates pathways into employment and could partner or compete with Employ for Ability.

Emerging players

• Hireup: Australian NDIS-registered technology platform connecting people with disability to support workers and increasingly into employment pathways. Comparable as an emerging Australian NDIS-adjacent platform with overlapping participant base and funding mechanism.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EmployForAbility
• Facebookfacebook.com/employforability
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/employforability

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Employ for Ability