The South Australian public sector is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, informed, accessible, and safe workplace where everyone belongs.

Workforce participation is fundamental to social inclusion and economic independence. As the state’s largest employer, we have a responsibility to ensure our policies and practices are innovative and flexible, and support the inclusion of people with disability across the public sector.

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment has developed a South Australian Public Sector Disability Employment Strategy, Plan and Disability Employment Toolkit to break down barriers to working in the public sector for people living with a disability.

The SA Public Sector Disability Employment Strategy provides a framework to create a more inclusive, accessible, and informed public sector.

It identifies three priorities that we can all work towards achieving:

  1. Enabling inclusive, accessible, safe and informed workplaces
  2. Facilitating improved recruitment, retention and career development, and
  3. Improving monitoring and reporting capabilities.

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The Strategy is supported by the SA Public Sector Disability Employment Plan, which has been developed to strengthen the public sector commitment to create inclusive workplaces where employees feel supported to fully engage in the workplace.

The Plan specifies a number of actions that will assist agencies to deliver on the three main priorities of the Strategy.

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The Disability Employment Toolkit is an online resource developed to assist employees, especially those working in human resources, learning and development, and leadership positions.

The Toolkit will assist in improving employment outcomes for people with disability by providing accessible information and resources.

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Hear the Hon. Michelle Lensink MLC, Minister for Human Services, Mickey O’Brien’s Welcome to Country, and reflections on valuing disability in our community. Keynote speakers include Michelle Ryan, Artistic Director of Restless Dance Theatre, an internationally renowned company creating inclusive dance theatre and career pathways for artists with disability, and Erma Ranieri, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment.

Watch the video here.

A disability may be visible or hidden, permanent or temporary, and may have minimal or substantial impact on a person’s abilities. Some people are born with disability while others may acquire disability through an accident or as they age. No two people with disability are the same.

For the definition of disability refer to: Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).

It is against the law to discriminate against people because of a disability, regardless of whether the disability is permanent or temporary.

In South Australia, the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 includes discrimination on the grounds of disability. All employers are legally obliged to prevent discrimination and harassment in the workplace. If you are unsure of your rights and obligations regarding workers with disability, contact the Equal Opportunity Commission for advice.

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment is currently developing Disability Awareness Training for public sector employees, in particular, for those in leadership, people management and recruitment roles.

All employees have a responsibility to uphold the Public Sector Values and contribute to an inclusive workplace free from discrimination, and to foster an inclusive workplace culture that values the contribution and experience of people with disability.

The Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment chairs the South Australian Public Sector Disability Employment Reference Group, which has representatives from agencies across government. The role of the Reference Group is to establish a Community of Practice, and collaborate to share agency strategies and resources to support the recruitment and retention of people with disability across the public sector.

If you would like more information, please contact OCPSEEmploymentPrograms@sa.gov.au

Easy Read SA Public Sector Disability Employment Plan

Easy Read SA Public Sector Disability Employment Strategy