Disability Consultation

Increasing the employment of people with a disability, including people with a mental illness, in the NSW public sector

The Public Sector Workforce Office of the Department of Premier and Cabinet is developing an employment strategy to improve the attraction, retention and development opportunities of people who have a disability or a mental illness in the NSW Public Sector.

We are keen to consult with employees and their line managers so we can identify practical agency and sector level actions that can be implemented to improve the attraction, retention and development opportunities of people who have a disability or a mental illness in the NSW public sector. This feedback will help to shape the strategy to Increase the employment of people with a disability, including people with a mental illness, in the NSW public sector.

The employment strategy will assist agencies to meet their responsibilities as employers, enhance opportunities for people with disabilities, achieve government targets and develop diverse and skilled workforces to continue to deliver sustainable service levels.

Employment of people with a disability in the NSW public sector is a priority. Improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities is an ongoing focus in public sector agency EEO management plans. More recently, the NSW State Plan set a priority to increase the employment and community participation of people with disabilities (Priority F2) and people with mental illness (Priority F3).

The NSW Government is also seeking to position itself as a preferred employer by tapping into currently under represented equity labour markets. As the state’s largest employer, with 10.7% of the total NSW labour force, we have the opportunity to demonstrate leadership with disability employment in NSW.

An agency Reference Group is providing advice to help identify practical solutions to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in the NSW public sector.

Disability strategy consultation

We are keen to hear the views of employees with a disability and their line managers so we can identify practical agency and sector level actions that can be implemented to improve the employment outcomes for people with a disability, including people with a mental illness.

Consultation Forums will be held in Sydney, Orange, Coffs Harbour and Nowra on 21 August 2008. We want to talk with employees from a diverse range of occupations, ages, salary levels, types of disabilities and work locations.  Places are limited so contact your agency’s contact person to be registered.

Those who can’t attend in person can watch the opening presentations from their desks and contribute ideas online.

Contact PSWO for further information: 9228 5536