Current Vacancies
(Applicable to people who can meet the Centrelink DEI assessment - this generally means people who are receiving the Disability Support Pension)

If none of the above positions suit your skills, send us a Registration of Interest so we can keep you informed about future vacancies. All applications and registrations of interest may be considered for other suitable vacancies which arise during the next twelve months.

Currently Options Employment Services support over 450 people in employment with mild to severe learning, sensory, physical, neurological and psychiatric disabilities.  Options have assisted people in their quest to secure employment within our own commercial business service at Good Samaritan Industries or in the wider business community.

Option Employment’s values that underpin the provision of services to people with disabilities are that people with disabilities:

• Have the same rights and responsibilities as other people in the community.
• Have a valued contribution to make through work to the community
• Be involved in determining their career with assistance from support networks
• Be involved with all decisions regarding job choice, job location and on the job training and support
• Have the right to receive a fair day’s pay, as have employers the right to expect a fair days work

Options Employment Program Overview

• Since it’s inception in 1958 Options has assisted more than 5000 people with disabilities to find meaningful, paid employment.
• With over 40 years industry experience Options is rated one of the top three specialist employment agencies in WA for retaining people in jobs.
• The organisation currently supports more than 450 people with disabilities in regular employment.
• Options provide support to people with learning, intellectual, sensory, physical, neurological and psychiatric disabilities ranging from mild to severe.
• Workers placed by Options Employment boast equal productivity to their able bodied counterparts and better safety and tenure records.
• Many of the jobs secured by Options are from employers who are currently employing a worker placed by Options and hires further employees through Options.

Click on a link below to go to the relevant "Options" Sections.

Open Employment | Business Services | Schools and Employees

Open Employment

Options Employment strongly believes that people with disabilities should have the opportunity to participate in the mainstream of life enjoying the resources, dignity and inner strength that comes with earning a living. Options achieve this by assisting people to establish careers in the area of their choice and provide the support required to ensure that it leads to a successful and long term employment outcome.

The process involves three phases:

Pre – employment phase

This entails a registration meeting to identify and discuss your individual needs, past employment history, skills, abilities and strengths in relation to your preferred employment goal. This information will be used to create your Individual Plan that you can change as needed.

Finding and securing a job phase

Once your individual plan has been completed, you will be allocated to your Employment Co-ordinator who is responsible for working with you to secure employment in your chosen area. The job search process involves formatting your resume and may involve interview and presentation preparation, your Employment Assistance Plan will be created which will outline the strategies that will be used to secure employment.

Options Employment believes that jobseekers should be promoted to potential employers based on their skills and abilities. Marketing strategies that Options use to find the right job include repeat business with employers who have already employed a person through Options, relationships have been developed with over 500 employers in a range of industries, cold canvassing, responding to advertised vacancies and drawing on family and friend networks.

Support on the job

On the job support will be provided once a suitable job has been secured. Support will continue until you are happy with your job and your employer is satisfied with your performance. This support will reduce gradually over time however, your employment co-ordinator is always available should your duties change and additional support is required.

Vocational Education and Training

Options are committed in assisting people into vocational training, a s we recognise the importance of supporting people into long term employment with employers who are able to provide the support required in an environment that encourages learning and career development.

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Both an apprenticeship and traineeship provide an opportunity to earn an income, learn new skills and gain a qualification. They are offered in a variety of industry types including, business administration, building and construction, sport and recreation, food, horticulture and furniture. Both are a combination of practical work provided by the employer and on the job and off the job training provided by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Apprenticeships are full time and run for three to four years, successful completion results in becoming a qualified tradesperson.

Traineeships generally run for 12 months and result in attaining a qualification and can lead to further study. Trainees are required to work a minimum of 20 hours per week. Options assist the employer and apprentice/trainee with specialised support in this area. for the duration of the apprenticeship/traineeship and beyond.

Feedback from jobseekers/workers registered with Options

• “Options move mountains and open doors for you”
• “Options staff are always friendly, helpful and are good listeners”
• “Very supportive and understanding”
• “Always contactable and listen to any problems that may arise”
• “Treat you like a person, not a number”
• “They helped to find me employment and have provided me with any support I need on the job since”
• “Options seem to be more sympathetic than other agencies. I had no problem getting a job through Options”
• “They do well in finding the job I want”
• “Listen, support and give assistance when necessary”
• “I’m very happy with the service, staff and support”
• “They are doing a great job. I couldn’t ask for a better service”
• “Always contactable and help with anything that arises”

Business Service

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If you are a person with a disability who would like to work but feel you are not ready to work in the general workforce, you can consider the supportive work environment Good Samaritan Industries can offer.

Through Options Employment, we can offer employment in our Business Service working at a variety of tasks as a Retail Assistant in one of our Good Sammy stores or as a Warehouse Assistant in our distribution centre in Canning Vale.

Supported Employment can be for as long as you like – use it to gain skills and confidence, until you feel comfortable enough to perhaps consider a move to open employment (we can help you there too, See the section on “Options Open Employment”).

Good Samaritan Industries has the capacity to employ 235 people with a disability in its business service and vacancies do arise from time to time (see “Current Vacancies”). For employment within our business service at Good Samaritan Industries your Employment Service Officer will assist you with matching you to a suitable job and ensuring you are added to our waitlist should no suitable vacancies exist currently.

The support provided within our business service at Good Samaritan Industries will include providing you with an introduction and orientation when you start work, providing on going on the job support and training, assisting you to resolve difficulties that may arise during your three month probation period, encouraging and supporting you to self advocate.

We have assisted many people to get a solid start to work. Hear what some have said about working with GSI -

• “I like working with the team –great bunch of people”
• “I was supported through a hard time by GSI –I was able to take time off and know my job was there to come back to”
• “I like this place-I wouldn’t be anywhere else – the people, I love them”
• “it is a good way of getting back into the workforce especially if you have been out for a long time”

Do I Qualify?

You may be eligible for Options assistance it you:

• are at least 16 years of age
• are assessed by Centrelink as eligible for a Disability Employment Assistance service
• have a requirement for ongoing assistance to maintain a job
• are motivated to work and preferably have family or community support
• meet the physical requirements of available jobs

Information for Employers

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With over 40 years industry experience Options have assisted more than 5000 people with disabilities to secure and maintain employment. During this time Options Employment has formed ongoing partnerships with hundreds of West Australian businesses, assisting them to save time and money to meet their recruitment needs by, matching the right employees to the job and the company and delivering personalised on the job training at the workplace. Currently Options are supporting 450 people in work. This service is provided at no cost to the employer or employee.

Having a register of people who are highly motivated and keen to work, a strong focus on matching the right person to the job and the provision of customised on the job support and back up ensures long term mutually beneficial outcomes are achieved. This is highlighted with the average tenure recorded by workers placed through Options Employment being just under three years.

Why employ a person with a disability?

Research indicates that employing a person with a disability makes sound business sense this is supported by Options own experiences that show that benefits include:

• Reliable Employees

People with disabilities have a genuine desire to join the mainstream workforce and therefore generally have better tenure and less absenteeism than other employees

• Strong tenure

The retention rate of employees with disabilities is significantly higher than their able bodied counterparts.

• Higher safety standards

People with disabilities boast higher safety standards than other employees. There is no impact on insurance premiums for employing a person with a disability.

• Perception as being a good corporate citizen

Customers and shareholders are becoming increasing demanding of companies to put something back into the community by way of a social contribution.

For seven consecutive years employers with whom Options Employment have established successful relationships with have won the Prime Minister’s Employer of the Year Awards. Options Employment has built strong relationships with more than 500 West Australian Businesses, including:

• Australia Post
• Best and Less
• Bunnings
• City of Canning
• Coles
• WA Forklift
• Jonstyle
• McDonalds
• Murdoch University
• Sanitarium
• Spotlight
• Target
• Trinity College
• University of WA

Information for schools

Since early 2005 Options have piloted, and subsequently formalised a scheme in conjunction with a number of Education Support Centres, to convert some students undertaking a structured workplace learning (SWL) program into part time employees of the organisations business service. This has been an ideal option for many students who were not ready for a competitive open employment environment and preferred a supportive business service work placement which provides an opportunity to gain a good understanding of the demands and expectations of work in open employment.

For many students these SWL placements have led to part time employment whilst still completing their final year school commitments. This gradual introduction to work, complimented by the school providing additional support with work place preparation has given many students a structured and generally less traumatic entry to the workforce. Depending on the students individual needs and employment goals, this option can also lead to securing work in open employment.

Options Employment also recognise that it is becoming increasing competitive for school leavers to enter the employment arena. A School-Based Traineeship provides students in their last years at school an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, get paid for the work that they do (minimum of 8 hours per week), complete the on and off the job training component and gain a certificate II qualification. Upon completion a School Based Traineeship can lead to further study in an apprenticeship and provide the student with a better appreciation and understanding of the demands and expectations of open employment.

Options Employment provide specialised support to the student, school and employer in securing and completing a School Based Traineeship. Currently Options Employment has strong working relationships with a number of schools around the metropolitan area. Any school that would like to discuss School-Based Traineeships further are encouraged to contact Options Employment direct.

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Link Sites

• Centrelink, information on benefits and income support: www.centrelink.gov.au
• Apprenticeships and Traineeships: www.apprenticeships.training.wa.gov.au
• Vocational Education and Training(VET) general: www.anta.gov.au
• Employment Assistance Programs: www.jobsearch.gov.au
• ACROD: www.acrod.org.au
• People with Disabilities: www.pwdwa.org