JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund — how to fund neurodiversity training
Cost is one of the most common reasons Australian employers hesitate on neurodiversity training and workplace support — which is exactly why it's worth knowing that a genuine, free government funding scheme already exists to help cover it: the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF), administered by JobAccess.
What the EAF actually is
The EAF is an Australian Government scheme that reimburses employers and employees for the cost of workplace modifications, equipment, and support services that help a person with disability — including neurodivergent conditions like autism and ADHD — do their job well. It's free to apply for, not means-tested, and JobAccess covers approved costs up to set limits, not a percentage you have to top up.
What it can cover that's relevant to training and support
Disability awareness training for co-workers and managers, so your team understands how to work well with a neurodivergent colleague
Specialist support and training packages for employees with specific learning disorders or mental health conditions
Workplace modifications and assistive technology, such as noise-cancelling headphones, screen-reading software, or changes to a workstation
A free workplace assessment, where a JobAccess adviser helps identify what adjustments or support would actually help
As a guide to scale: the EAF's workplace modifications and equipment category currently has a funding cap in the tens of thousands of dollars, and Auslan interpreting has its own separate caps. Funding caps for the training-related categories are reviewed periodically, so rather than publish a figure here that could go stale, the more reliable move is to confirm the current cap directly with a JobAccess adviser on 1800 464 800 — it takes a two-minute call.
The important nuance most articles skip
The EAF is built around an individual employee's assessed needs, not a blanket grant for company-wide training. In practice, that means the cleanest path to funding is usually: a specific neurodivergent employee (with their consent and involvement) works with JobAccess to identify what support would help them, and disability awareness training for their team or manager is included as part of that.
That doesn't rule out training for your wider leadership group — many employers run a broader inclusive workplace workshop alongside individually-funded support — but it does mean the EAF is best understood as one funding stream within a broader plan, not a way to get an entire company-wide program paid for outright. We're always upfront about this with clients rather than overselling what the fund can do. Having said all that, it’s absolutely well placed to help organisations be more effective in managing neurodivergent employees by creating supportive environments.
Funding covers the adjustments. The day-to-day habits still sit with the manager, and how work gets handed over is one of the easiest to get right. The CPORT framework (Context, Purpose, Outcomes, Resources, Time) gives managers a simple structure for delegating tasks clearly, and it costs nothing to start using tomorrow.
Who's eligible
To be eligible, the employee generally needs to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, working (or about to start work) at least 8 hours a week in a role expected to last 13 weeks or more, with a disability, injury or health condition that creates a genuine barrier at work. Eligibility isn't based on income.
How to apply
Applications go through JobAccess Secure online, and assessment typically takes up to 10 working days. Depending on what's being requested, JobAccess may arrange a free workplace assessment first. Either the employer or the employee (or someone applying on their behalf, with consent) can start the process — and JobAccess's own advisers are a free, genuinely useful resource if you're not sure where to start.
Where we can help
If you're weighing up a training investment and want to understand what portion, if any, could realistically be offset through the EAF for a specific team member, we can talk through your situation before you commit to a program. And if you'd like to see what training options and typical costs look like first, our guide to neurodiversity training costs in Australia is a good place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund (EAF)?
The EAF is a government program that helps Australian employers cover costs when supporting an employee with a disability, injury or health condition, including many neurodivergent conditions. It can fund things like disability awareness training for managers and colleagues, specialist training for employees with specific learning disorders, and workplace modifications such as noise-cancelling headphones or screen-reading software.
How much EAF funding is available?
Funding is assessed per employee rather than a fixed amount. Workplace modifications currently sit under a cap in the tens of thousands of dollars, but caps change. A two-minute call to a JobAccess adviser on 1800 464 800 will get you the current figure.
How do I apply for EAF funding?
Either the employer or the employee can start an application through JobAccess Secure online. A JobAccess adviser also runs a free workplace assessment to help identify what support would actually help. Once you've applied, assessment typically takes up to 10 working days.
Who's eligible for the JobAccess Employment Assistance Fund?
The employee needs to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, working (or about to start) at least 8 hours a week in a role expected to last 13 weeks or more, with a disability, injury or health condition that creates a genuine barrier at work. Eligibility isn't based on income.
Can I use EAF funding for company-wide neurodiversity training?
Not directly. The fund is built around an individual employee's assessed needs, not a blanket grant for team-wide training. It's best used to support a specific employee, for example funding disability awareness training for their manager and colleagues, rather than a broad rollout across the business.