There are many benefits for Employers of staff who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Statistics in Australia show that staff retention of people with disabilities is 72% greater than the rest of the population. Hiring a person with a disability generally means a much more stable employee.

By employing a Deaf person, you give an opportunity to someone who may face barriers in securing work. By employing a Deaf person you support Sydney's Deaf community and may also become a leading employer in EEO practice. You may also be eligible to receive Agency support, wage subsidies, and funds for workplace modifications.

The Deaf Society Employment Service provides a range of services and Complementary Programs to employers who employ or are interested in employing Deaf people.

Services for Employers
Free services provided by the Deaf Society Employment Service include:

• Advice on working with deaf people
• Information about communication techniques
• Advice about Equal Employment Opportunity considerations
• Provision to employers of a short-list of the most suitable applicants registered with the Deaf Society Employment Service
• Advice about conducting an interview with a person who is deaf or disabled - to see some introductory information now, click here
• post-placement support for up to 18 months, which may include:
• advice about transitioning a deaf person into the workplace
• outlining the rights and responsibilities for the employer and employee
• provision of interpreting and support for post-placement induction training
• delivering Introduction to Deafness Awareness training for the employer
• optional OH&S check, with an emphasis on supporting the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• workplace assessments and recommendations for workplace modification

We can also offer access to a range of government-funded Complementary Programs and employer incentives including:

• Employment Assistance Fund (EAF), which provides financial assistance to purchase a range of work related modifications and services to assist people with disability in the workplace, including:
  • Auslan interpreting in the workplace
  • workplace modifications
  • Deafness awareness training
• Wage Subsidy Scheme
• Supported Wage System (SWS)

Register a Job Vacancy
Employers are able to register job vacancies with the Deaf Society Employment Service online. Employment Officers will identify and shortlist suitable candidates, and forward you the clients' CVs and other required information in a format the employer prefers. The Deaf Society provides this service at no charge.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations' (DEEWR) Australian Job Search (AJS) website also has a facility for employers to lodge job vacancies at no charge. To visit their site, click here.

Employer Obligations
The Deaf Society Employment Service provides advice and support to employers so they can establish a more deaf-friendly workplace,become aware of relevant legislation and comply with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements.

For more information, click here.