The Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) is one of the most practically useful and least-known resources available to AuDHD employees and employers in Australia. Funded by the Australian Government and administered through JobAccess, the EAF provides financial assistance to purchase modifications, equipment, and services that help people with disability do their jobs. Critically, neither you nor your employer pays for approved items — the fund covers the full cost, up to specified limits.
To be eligible for the EAF, you must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, currently employed or about to start employment, and have a disability, injury, or health condition that requires workplace support. Your employer must also agree to implement the approved supports. The fund is not means-tested based on your income — the eligibility criteria are based on disability-related need, not financial circumstances.
The range of items and services the EAF can fund is significant and directly relevant to AuDHD employees. Equipment and modifications that can be funded include: noise-cancelling headphones and headsets, ergonomic furniture including standing desks and specialised chairs, screen-reading and text-to-speech software, organisational software licences, modifications to workstations, and communication aids. Services that can be funded include: Auslan interpreting, disability awareness training for co-workers, mental health interventions, and workplace modifications consultancy. The fund can also pay for services from employment assistance and job coaching providers.
The application process begins with a free call to JobAccess on 1800 464 800, where an adviser will assess your needs and guide you through the application. You will need to provide evidence of your disability — your assessment report or a letter from your treating clinician — and details of your employment and the adjustments you are requesting. JobAccess works directly with your employer to approve and arrange the supports, so the administrative burden on you is relatively low once the initial assessment is complete.
One practical note: the EAF works best when you approach it with specific, well-defined requests. Arriving at the initial call with a list of the equipment or services you need — with item names and approximate costs where possible — significantly streamlines the assessment. The fund is there; the key is knowing what to ask for. Speaking to peers in the AuDHD community about what has been approved for them in similar roles can give you a useful starting list before making the call.