National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy
An overview of the Strategy
As a part of the Social Inclusion Agenda, the Australian Government is developing a National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy will be developed in close consultation with consumers, peak bodies, employers, state and territory governments and experts.
The Strategy aims to address the barriers faced by people with disability and/or mental illness that make it harder for them to gain and keep work.
The Hon Brendan O’Connor MP, Minister for Employment Participation and the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services are jointly overseeing the development of the Strategy. They released the Terms of Reference for the Strategy on 15 February 2008.
You can download a copy of the Terms of Reference by clicking on the following link:
You can also read the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary’s press release by clicking on the following link:
The discussion paper and how you can be involved
To ensure the Strategy is practical and effective, the Government wants input from a wide range of people with disability and/or mental illness who have experienced the challenges of working and seeking work.
Minister O’Connor and Parliamentary Secretary Shorten have released a discussion paper to facilitate stakeholder input.
The discussion paper provides instructions and examples of how you can submit your ideas and also outlines the background and purpose of the Strategy.
You can download a copy of the discussion paper by clicking on the link below:
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy Discussion Paper (PDF 310KB)
National Mental Health and Disability Employment Strategy Discussion Paper (RTF 361KB)
If would like a copy of the discussion paper in an alternative format, or if you want more information on the Strategy, you can call 1800 047 848 or email employmentstrategy@deewr.gov.au.
Making a submission
You can download a copy of the submission in Word format from the following link – this form has space for you to type your comments.
Template (RTF 73 KB)
The discussion paper includes forms for people who don’t have a computer and a mailing address and faxing number for you to send us the completed form.
What else is happening?
In April and May the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP and the Hon Bill Shorten MP are holding consultations with key stakeholders around Australia to hear first hand what barriers exist for people with disability and/or mental illness and what needs to be done to address them.