Increasing disability employment could boost the national economy by billions. 

A new report by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre at Curtin University reveals there has been no improvement in employment rates for people with disability in Australia over the last two decades, despite extensive policy reforms and greatly increased funding for supports and service delivery. 

This failure of policy to address labour market exclusion represents a massive loss to the Australian economy, with the report showing that increasing employment of people with disability by 10 per cent could add $16 billion to economic output each year.

The findings reveal that in 2022, only 53.1 per cent of people with work-limiting disabilities were employed, in stark contrast to 81.8 per cent of those without disabilities. 

The report also addresses the persistent barriers faced by individuals with disabilities in entering the workforce, including transportation difficulties.

Professor Alan Duncan, report co-author, emphasises the broader implications of integrating people with disabilities into the workforce, citing benefits to their health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. 

The study suggests a ‘work first’ approach, advocating for the assumption that individuals with disabilities are capable and should be supported in seeking meaningful employment.

Among the recommendations is the creation of a National Disability Employment Agency to streamline coordination across various agencies and levels of government, and to support businesses in enhancing disability employment opportunities.

The report also identifies sectors with significant disparities in the representation of workers with disabilities, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions in education and public sector employment. 

The proposal includes enhancing employer leadership in disability inclusion and encouraging the sharing of best practices across industries.

This research presents a critical examination of the challenges and opportunities within Australia's employment landscape for people with disabilities, calling for a concerted effort from all sectors to close the employment gap and realise the potential economic and social benefits of a more inclusive workforce.

The full report is accessible here.