Regulatory impact Statement – Department of Social Services
In the 2017 Federal Budget, the Government announced changes to the Disability Employment Services (DES) Program, coming into effect on 1 July 2018.
Through the DES program the Australian Government invests around $800 million each year to assist people with disability, injury or health conditions to find and retain sustainable employment.
In response to recent decline in disability employment participation rates, changes will be made to the DES program. These changes aim to provide participants with more choice and control and are supported by financial arrangements that will better take into account the difficulty in achieving an employment outcome.
A Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was prepared by the Department of Social Services and was assessed as compliant and consistent with best practice by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR).
The Department estimates the new Disability Employment Services Program will reduce regulatory costs by $42.6 million a year. The OBPR agreed to this estimate.