On 5 October 2026 the NDIA published the Provider Quarterly Report – Youth Employment for January to December 2025. It looks at employment supports delivered to 9,215 participants aged 15 to 24, including young people who had left school and were preparing for work, and students getting work experience or finding a part-time job while still at school. For families thinking about the move from school to work, it's a useful snapshot of what employment support can look like.
What the report found
According to the NDIA, 588 participants in the report found paid work in open or supported employment. Most worked up to 21 hours a week, in areas such as retail, hospitality, trades, tourism, manufacturing and operations. Providers spent 48% of training time helping participants build social, communication, presentation and work skills. The NDIA also found that participants who received more skill-specific training were more likely to make significant progress in applying those skills, and those who made strong progress in employer engagement, job customisation, work skills and work experience were more likely to gain paid work. The full report is on the NDIA's employment provider reports page.
What employment support can look like
Every young person's goals are different, so support looks different too. Depending on what's in a participant's plan, it might include help working out what kind of work suits their interests and strengths, building everyday work skills like communication and time management, preparing for interviews, getting work experience, or having someone alongside them while they settle into a new job. The report's findings are a reminder that practical, skill-specific help and real workplace experience both matter.
How to start the conversation
If work is a goal, say so. Talk with your my NDIS contact, Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator about your employment goals and what support might help. Be as specific as you can, whether that's a first part-time job, work experience while at school, or building skills for a job you already have. If your situation changes significantly, for example leaving school or starting work, the NDIA explains your options for changing your plan on its guide to changing your plan.
Questions worth asking a provider
Before starting with an employment support provider, it's reasonable to ask how they'll match work to the young person's interests, what skills they'll focus on, how they work with employers, and what happens once someone is settled in a role. A good provider will answer clearly and explain their approach step by step.
Employment support at Tenax Supports
Tenax Supports is a registered NDIS provider in Tarneit. Our employment programs help participants build work skills, get work experience and prepare for paid work, and our Support Coordination team can help families work through their options. If you're thinking about employment goals for a young person, call us on 03 7018 8666 or use our enquiry page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Provider Quarterly Report – Youth Employment?
It's an NDIA report, published on 5 October 2026, on employment supports delivered to 9,215 participants aged 15 to 24 between January and December 2025, and the outcomes they achieved.
How many young people in the report found paid work?
The NDIA reported that 588 participants found paid work in open or supported employment, with most working up to 21 hours a week.
Can young people get employment support while still at school?
The NDIA's report includes young people who got help to gain work experience or find a part-time job while still at school. Talk with your my NDIS contact or Support Coordinator about what fits your plan.
Who should I talk to about adding employment goals?
Start with your my NDIS contact, Local Area Coordinator or Support Coordinator. They can explain your options and what information the NDIA may need.
If you'd like to talk about employment goals for a young person with disability, contact Tenax Supports on 03 7018 8666. Read the NDIA's announcement of the youth employment report.