NDIS SLES vs Eligible School Leavers: What's the difference?

Leaving school and thinking about what's next can feel like a big step. For young people living with disability, there are supports available to help build skills, confidence and experience on the path to employment.

Castle supports school leavers with, and without an NDIS plan, in two ways; through Inclusive Employment Australia's Eligible School Leaver (ESL) pathway, and NDIS School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES). While both can help young people prepare for work, they have different purposes, eligibility requirements and funding arrangements.

Understanding the difference can help you choose the support that's right for you.

Eligible School Leaver (ESL) Support Through Inclusive Employment Australia

The Eligible School Leaver (ESL) pathway is part of Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA). It helps young people with disability transition from school into the workplace, including  leaving school early.

The focus is on building skills, exploring career options and creating a pathway to meaningful employment.

Support may include:

• Access to training courses, licences and qualifications

• Work experience opportunities

• Career planning and guidance

• Job readiness training

• Support to find and secure employment

• Workplace modifications and ongoing employment support

Who is eligible?

Castle's ESL support is available to young people in their final year of secondary school who are living with disability, injury or a health condition and meet Inclusive Employment Australia eligibility requirements.

What if you've already left school?

You don't need to be enrolled in school to access employment support. Through Inclusive Employment Australia, Castle can also help young people who have left school and are ready to work towards employment goals.

Talk to our team about transitioning from school to employment

NDIS School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) are funded through the NDIS and are designed to help young people build the skills and confidence needed to move towards employment.

SLES focuses on developing independence, workplace readiness and employability skills before entering the workforce.

Support may include:

• Building everyday workplace skills such as time management and money handling

• Work experience opportunities

• Resume development and job application support

• Building communication and social skills

• Travel training and confidence using public transport

• Developing independence and workplace confidence

Who is eligible?

SLES is available to eligible NDIS participants, typically aged 16 to 22, when the support is included in their NDIS plan under employment-related funding.

What if SLES isn't included in your plan?

If you think SLES could help you reach your employment goals, speak with your Support Coordinator, Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or a provider like Castle. They can help you understand your options and discuss the support during your planning conversations.

Key Differences Between ESL and SLES

While both programs support young people on their employment journey, there are some important differences.

Who the support is for

ESL through Inclusive Employment Australia supports young people with disability who are preparing for or pursuing employment.

SLES supports eligible NDIS participants who need additional capacity-building support before entering the workforce.

How the support is funded

ESL is funded through the Australian Government's Inclusive Employment Australia program.

SLES is funded through an individual's NDIS plan.

The focus of the support

SLES focuses on building capacity, independence and job-readiness skills.

ESL and Inclusive Employment Australia services focus on helping people find, secure and maintain employment, with ongoing support available once they are working.

Can You Access Both SLES and Inclusive Employment Australia Support?

Yes.

Many young people begin with SLES to build confidence, independence and work readiness. When they're ready to start looking for work, they can transition to employment support through Inclusive Employment Australia.

Providers that deliver both services, like Castle, can help make that transition smoother by providing continuity of support throughout the employment journey.

Supporting Your Next Step

Moving from school into employment is an important milestone, and everyone's pathway will look a little different.

Whether you're exploring Eligible School Leaver support through Inclusive Employment Australia or NDIS School Leaver Employment Supports, the right support can help you build skills, gain experience and work towards your employment goals.

At Castle, we're here to help you understand your options and take the next step with confidence.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about school leaver employment supports