Working is good for the soul

Are you considering hiring a person with a disability? This decision can deliver far more than just filling a vacant position.

Not only will you be changing a person’s life, but you will also be contributing to the improvement of your local community.

When a person secures a job, they immediately have more income to use.
They:

• Purchase more or better items for themselves and their homes
• Enjoy more recreational opportunities with friends and family
• Visit local restaurants, cinemas, and sporting events
• Go on holidays
• Invest in cars and homes, which require local services and maintenance
• Buy electronics like TVs and computers
• Potentially invest their salary into further education, benefiting their workplace and society as a whole.

The positive impact

People feel a sense of purpose and belonging when they have a job and are part of a team. Employees who feel valued, respected, and needed have higher self-esteem and better mental health.

Financial independence provides a significant emotional boost. Having a job makes people feel better about themselves, improving their self-esteem. It gives them purpose and focus for their day, a reason to get out of bed, and opportunities to engage with friends and colleagues.

A better standard of living, resulting from steady employment, can improve physical health by enabling access to quality food and better meal choices. It encourages individuals to be more active both physically and socially.

Employing people with disabilities brings significant advantages to businesses. These companies benefit from a diverse range of skills and talents, resulting in a more valuable and dependable workforce. Studies indicate that employees with disabilities exhibit higher retention rates, better attendance, and fewer occupational health and safety incidents.

Disability employment in Australia

As of 2025, the employment landscape for people with disabilities in Australia shows both progress and ongoing challenges:

• Labour force participation rate: 53.4% for people with disabilities compared to 84.1% for those without 
• Unemployment rate: 10.3% for people with disabilities, nearly double the 4.6% for others
• Employment rate: 48% of people aged 15–64 with disabilities are employed, compared to 80% of those without disabilities
• Job satisfaction: 62% of employed people aged 15–64 with disabilities report high job satisfaction, compared to 67% of those without disabilities

These statistics highlight the need for continued efforts to provide opportunities and address discrimination and bias in the workplace.