HERVEY Bay jobseekers and employers are set to benefit from an exciting new national disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia, which kicks off locally on 1 November 2025.
IMPACT Community Services is proud to bring this innovative initiative to the Fraser Coast, joining the national CoAct network to deliver tailored, person-centred employment support for people with disability, injury, or health conditions.
The program aims to create meaningful and sustainable job opportunities within the local community.
Replacing the current Disability Employment Services (DES), Inclusive Employment Australia represents a fresh, personalised approach focused on choice, control, and stronger community engagement.
The program champions inclusive hiring practices that help local employers build diverse and resilient workplaces.
Simon Brown, CEO of CoAct, the country’s leading network of not-for-profit community service providers awarded the national contract for Inclusive Employment Australia, highlighted the program’s strengths: “Our co-designed model brings together deep local knowledge, specialist expertise, and lived experience to deliver high-quality services tailored to the diverse needs of jobseekers and employers across Australia.”
He added, “As our network continues to grow, so does our shared vision of building communities where everyone can reach their potential through meaningful and sustainable work.”
Tanya O’Shea, Managing Director of IMPACT Community Services, echoed this enthusiasm for the Fraser Coast rollout: “At IMPACT Community Services, improving lives is at the heart of everything we do and we’re excited to be able to deliver disability employment services to the Gladstone and Fraser Coast communities.”
She continued, “We work together with CoAct to create opportunities for individuals to build skills, confidence and find meaningful work. We look forward to supporting more people to thrive through inclusive and empowering employment pathways.”
IMPACT Community Services and CoAct are committed to empowering local people with disability to achieve their employment goals, while partnering with businesses to promote inclusion throughout Hervey Bay.
For more information about Inclusive Employment Australia, visit https://coact.org.au/
