Australian Apprenticeships & Traineeships Information Service (AATIS) in proud partnership with Melbourne Apprenticeship Disability Network (MADN) bring you a series of blog posts and resources to support those living with a disability, to understand Australian Apprenticeships and how they can be a viable pathway for all Australians.
This blog will help you to understand your rights, considerations to be aware of and the best way to navigate job seeking.
We’ll cover:
- Disclosure
- Adjustments
- Rights
- Inherent Requirements
- Evidence of disability
Then in our next blog we explore in-depth the different types of apprenticeships and traineeships, the benefits of completing an Australian Apprenticeship and how you can start a rewarding career and earn while you’re learning on the job.
Disclosure
The choice to disclose your disability can be complicated. Knowing when, how, who and what to tell others about a disability can make the process difficult, especially as you may fear discrimination. Ultimately, it is a personal decision based on many factors.
Purpose of disclosing
There are many reasons you might choose to disclose your disability. This includes:
- Requiring adjustments to the application and/or interview process
- Requiring work-related adjustments to complete your role
- To show how your disability can be relevant to the position
It’s important to note that an Australian Apprenticeship includes a component of formal education (‘off-the-job’ training) which can be a somewhat unique arrangement. Disclosing your disability for the purpose of training may be needed by both your employer and the Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We’ll cover employers and training providers later in blog post 4.
When to disclose
- During the application process – a disability can be shared on your resume or during the job application letter. It’s not the most common time to disclose but could be appropriate if it’s relevant to the position or there are work related adjustments required to ensure equal opportunity throughout the selection process.
- The job interview – it is best to share to the convener of the interview panel or a member of the interview panel
- Employment offer – you may choose to share your disability with the employer, supervisor, human resources department or equity representative
- Completing a health questionnaire and assessment – If asked to complete either of these prior to commencing a new role
