If you're supporting a young person with disability to transition from school into work, you may have heard about School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) or seen references to a change happening by 30 June 2027. This guide explains what's changing, what it means for young people and families, and what steps to take now to make sure support doesn't fall through the cracks during the transition.
What is School Leaver Employment Support (SLES)?
School Leaver Employment Supports is an NDIS-funded program designed to help young people with disability make the transition from school into employment or other work-related activities. It covers young people aged 15 to 22 who are in their final year of school or who have left school within the past two years. SLES can include help finding a job, on-the-job training, travel training to get to a workplace, work experience placements and day-to-day support to help a young person settle into employment.
To access SLES, a young person needs to have an NDIS plan that includes "Finding and Keeping a Job" funding under the Capacity Building section. The support is delivered by registered employment service providers who specialise in disability employment.
What's changing on 30 June 2027?
School Leaver Employment Supports is transitioning to a new support type called Employment Assistance. The change is part of broader NDIS reforms aimed at improving long-term employment outcomes for people with disability. From 30 June 2027, SLES will no longer be available as a funding category, and young people will transition to Employment Assistance supports instead.
This doesn't mean employment support is going away, but the structure and how it's delivered may change. The NDIS is working with employment providers to make sure the transition is smooth and that young people don't lose the support they need during the changeover.
What does this mean for young people currently using SLES?
If a young person is currently receiving School Leaver Employment Supports, they will be transitioned to Employment Assistance when their plan is next reviewed or renewed. This transition should be planned carefully so there's no gap in support. It's a good idea to:
- Talk to your current SLES provider about how the transition will work and what Employment Assistance might look like for your young person.
- Check your NDIS plan to see when it's next due for review or renewal, so you're prepared.
- Speak with your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator about how to make sure your young person's employment goals are reflected in the new support type.
- Document what's working in your young person's current SLES arrangements, so you can ask for similar support under Employment Assistance.
What young people should access now if they haven't already
If a young person is approaching Year 12 or has recently left school and doesn't yet have access to employment support, now is the time to ask about it. The sooner support is in place, the better the chance of a smooth transition into work. Steps include:
- Talk to your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator about adding "Finding and Keeping a Job" to your plan if it's not already there.
- Ask the NDIA or your provider about SLES specifically, since the transition is scheduled for mid-2027 but support is still available now.
- Start connecting with employment providers early if possible, so there's time to explore what works before the transition date. Our School Leaver Employment Supports guide for Melbourne families covers eligibility and how to get SLES into a plan.
Questions to ask your NDIS team or provider
As the transition approaches, it's reasonable to ask: When will my young person's plan be reviewed? What will Employment Assistance look like compared to SLES? Will the same support provider continue to work with us? How will my young person's employment goals be reflected in their new plan? What happens if we need intensive support during the transition? These conversations help you prepare and make sure nothing is overlooked.
How Tenax Supports can help
Tenax Supports is a registered NDIS provider in Victoria offering employment support and support coordination services. If you're supporting a young person thinking about work, managing a transition, or exploring what employment might look like, our team can talk you through what's available and how to plan ahead. You can reach us on 03 7018 8666 or through our enquiry page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is School Leaver Employment Support (SLES)?
SLES is NDIS funding to help young people aged 15–22 transition from school into employment, including job finding, on-the-job training and work experience. It's accessed through NDIS plans that include 'Finding and Keeping a Job' funding.
When does SLES end?
SLES transitions to Employment Assistance from 30 June 2027. Young people currently using SLES will be moved to the new support type when their plan is reviewed or renewed.
What is Employment Assistance?
Employment Assistance is the new NDIS support type replacing SLES from 30 June 2027. The NDIS is working with providers to ensure a smooth transition and continued employment support.
What should I do if my young person currently uses SLES?
Start planning now by speaking with your current SLES provider, your Support Coordinator and your Local Area Coordinator about how the transition will work for your young person's specific situation and goals.
Can my young person still access SLES before 30 June 2027?
Yes. SLES is still available now. If your young person is approaching or has recently left school and doesn't have employment support yet, now is a good time to ask about it.
If you'd like to explore employment support options for a young person with disability, contact Tenax Supports on 03 7018 8666 or through our enquiry page.