Australia launches new DES Performance Framework

Australia has unveiled a new Disability Employment Services (DES) Performance Framework and accompanying Scorecards, marking a step towards ensuring equal employment opportunities for Australians with disabilities.

With 5.5 million Australians living with disabilities, including 2.7 million of working age, the need for effective and transparent employment services is crucial. The newly introduced Performance Framework aims to monitor, measure, and drive continuous improvement among DES providers through an agreed set of key performance measures.

The Framework is bolstered by quarterly Scorecards that report provider performance across all measures. Providers will receive a score out of three for each domain and measure, reflected on their Scorecards. This system allows current and future DES participants, as well as their families and carers, to make informed choices about their preferred DES providers.

Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services of Australia, emphasised that the Performance Framework would help cultivate a high-performing DES programme that delivers meaningful employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

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“The new Performance Framework and Scorecards will give providers, employers and participants, as well as the general public, a very clear picture of what is expected of DES services and how providers are stacking up,” she said. “We want DES providers to ensure jobseekers with disabilities are informed, supported, and receiving the best services possible.”

Rishworth added that the Scorecards would enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of DES providers.

The new Performance Framework focuses on outcomes, measuring not only the quality of services but also the success in supporting participants to find and retain employment or complete training and education that enhance job readiness. This framework will replace the previous systems of evaluation for DES providers, including the 2018 DES Performance Framework, Star Ratings, and the current Interim Performance Measures.