Most Australian workers who have a disability receive full award or enterprise agreement rates of pay. However, some people are unable to work at full award rates due to the effect of a disability on their workplace productivity.

With the Supported Wage System an employee, who has a lower than usual productivity rate compared to an equivalent worker without a disability, can apply to be independently assessed to determine their percentage of productivity. The employee's award waage is then paid, adjusted to reflect the assessed percentage.

	Graham is employed as an accountant and has the support of a Disability Employment Network service provider. He has utilised the Supported Wage System (SWS) and has been assessed as having a productivity level of 70 per cent, compared to co-workers performing the same duties. Graham and the employer have agreed to ongoing employment at a pay rate of 70 per cent of the normal award rate of pay. The remainder of the salary is paid via Graham's Disability Support Pension. The productivity level will be reviewed in 6 months time to ensure that Graham's salary truly reflects his productivity rate.

An assessment of the employee's productivity rate is made to determine whether they are working at full productivity levels. If so, they are entitled to the full award wage and if not, the percentage of the full award wage they should be calculated. The assessment is also reviewed to ensure that adjustments in wages can occur for increased levels of productivity. Overall, the system is designed to reflect the person's capabilities in the workplace and cannot be used as a tool for employers to bargain down wage levels.

There is no cost to the employer for implementing the Supported Wage System.

The SWS has been developed in close consultation with:

• employers
• trade union and disability peak bodies, and
• specialised employment agencies for people with disabilities.

The SWS operates within the normal state and federal industrial relations regulatory frameworks. SWS participants have the same conditions of employment as their co-workers who receive a full award wage.

The assessed percentage of productivity applies to the wage rate only. All other employment conditions - such as the length of annual and long service leave and access to training apply according to the appropriate award or enterprise agreement, although payment of such conditions is at the pro-rata award wage rate.

The Scheme is funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' (DEWR).

Eligibility

• You must have a receipt of Disability Support Pension (DSP) or deemed eligible, as determined by Centrelink.
• Your job or potential job is covered by a Model Clause or State industrial agreement.
• You are aged 15 years or older.
• Your employment is for a minimum of 8 hours per week.
• You are an Australian citizen.

Contact

Supported Wage System Management Unit telephone hotline 1800 065 123.

Further Information

JobAccess website: Supported Wage System: Information, forms and contact details.

Note: The Commonwealth Government Welfare to Work Reforms will be implemented by July 1 2006. The information presented in this document is relevant to pre Welfare to Work reforms. Any additional information relevant to the impending changes will be posted on this website by October 2006.