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Meet Kristie

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“Am I worth it? Can I do it? Why do I keep getting knocked back?”

As Kristie tried to break out of unemployment, these questions regularly played on her mind.

When she reached out to APM Employment Services for help in finding work, she had a support network of people ready to see her succeed.

In the beginning, she wasn’t confident enough to market herself to employers but with support from her dedicated employment consultant on the Disability Employment Services program, that all changed.

It was during COVID-19 lockdowns in Western Australia she connected with Helping Solutions.

Read a full transcript of this video. 

"It gave me confidence"

Taking a big step

Kristie lives with Epilepsy and Emotional Personality Disorder (also known as borderline personality disorder).

Like many people, Kristie found searching for work by herself challenging, lonely, and a challenge to her  mental health.

In these difficult circumstances, compounded by COVID-19 lockdowns, many job seekers have struggled to stay motivated.

“Finding APM was a huge step, it gave me an opportunity to learn and develop new skills” Kristie said.

“It gave me confidence to say what I wanted to and where I wanted to go.”

The first big difference working with APM made, was having her Employment Consultant Ashlyn there when she applied for roles with  employers.

It didn’t take long for her confidence to flourish.

Ashlyn worked with Kristie to update her resume, boost her interview skills and purchase suitable work clothes.

Kristie started in an administrative role at Helping Solutions as a receptionist supporting the daily running of the business.

It proved to be the perfect opportunity as within just eight months, Kristie progressed into a HR role in the business.

“She is indispensable” Kristie’s employer Rhiannon said.

“I honestly don’t know what we would do without Kristie.”

Kristie discussing with a woman

"She helps us in so many ways"

How diversity makes a difference

Kristie secured her role supported by the Disability Employment Services program, delivered by APM.

APM Employment Services has supported more than 120,000 job seekers with an injury, illness, or disability into work over the last two years.

Diversity is a priority for Kristie’s employer:

“We found it very easy to go through the recruitment process with APM, we really love employing everyone from a wide range of backgrounds. We believe that Helping Solutions’ diversity is really important,” said Rhiannon.

“My favourite thing about getting someone into a new position is talking to them about what that means for them and what having a job changes their life” Ashlyn said.

“People with disability bring diversity, they bring a different way of thinking, they bring knowledge, and they teach people around them to be more comfortable and to be more accepting of different people.”

Rhiannon remembers Kristie’s first week was during a COVID-19 lockdown:

“Kristie hit the ground running and was able to just step in and do everything that needed to be done – she went above and beyond” Rhiannon recalls.

With a supportive employer and a whole new level of confidence unlocked, the future certainly looks bright for Kristie.

Register now
Kristie in a meeting

“It gave me an opportunity to learn and develop new skills”

Are you eligible for Disability Employment Services?

You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:

  • An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
  • Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
  • Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity

If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.

If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you are eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider.

Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

If you’re with another Disability Employment Services provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

Register now

Frequently asked questions

APM is the largest provider of Disability Employment Services in Australia.

With more than 500 locations across the country we help more people into work than anyone else.

We know how hard it is to find work when you’re facing other challenges. We don’t just want you to find a job, we want to help you change your life for the better.

When you come to APM we get to know you so we can help you get the support that’s right for you.

We help you set realistic goals and keep you focused on finding a job that works for you.

There’s a job out there for you.

Let’s go find it.

Disability Employment Services (DES) is an initiative by the Australian Government to help people with an injury, illness or disability find and keep a job.

This can include helping people to:

  • manage health issues that may be making it hard to get work
  • identifying their strengths and work capabilities
  • developing skills for jobs and being part of a workplace
  • succeed when they start a new job with further information and support

APM is Australia’s largest contracted provider of Disability Employment Services and we deliver support programs to eligible people across the country.

You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:

  • An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
  • Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
  • Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity

If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.

If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

When you register with APM for Disability Employment Services, we will contact you to confirm your eligibility and invite you for your first appointment.

You will get a local employment consultant who knows the employers, businesses and job opportunities near you.

They will listen to you and build a plan that takes into account your health, personal circumstances, interests and any skills or experience you may have.

Your plan will be unique to you and include steps to help with:

  • building your confidence
  • writing your resume and job applications
  • searching for suitable jobs with potential employers
  • preparing for interviews
  • access to services to manage health issues or barriers to work

With APM, you get the support, you get the skills and you get the rewards of having a valuable job.

Don’t miss out on a program made just for you, by one of Australia’s best-rated providers.

APM has some of the highest job placement rates in the country.

You can transfer to your nearest APM team in three easy steps:

  1. Call the National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260
  2. Ask to transfer to APM
  3. Accept our invite to your first meeting

Join the thousands of APM job seekers who change their lives every year by finding valuable employment.

APM is Australia's largest provider of Disability Employment Services and we have more than 500 locations nationwide.

You can find your nearest APM team on our Find Us page.

There are jobs out there.

We can help you find them.

Register now