Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) to open employment research

The NDIA is about to start a research project called “Supporting participants in open employment.” 

This research will help us improve the NDIS and outcomes for participants at work. This is important because people with disability have the right to work in workplaces that are inclusive, equal, accessible and freely chosen.

We have two main goals:

  • Better understand what it is like to change from Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) employment to open employment for NDIS participants and their employers.
  • Learn how ADEs have adapted to new funding in participant plans and to helping participants move into a job of their choice.

We are doing this by:

  • Reviewing other research on this topic.
  • Using data to see if there have been improvements for NDIS participants since the changes started.
  • Asking NDIS participants, employers and ADE managers about their experiences.


By the end of this research project, we will know more about:

  • The types of work people do.
  • What does and does not help participants moving from ADE to open employment.
  • How ADEs have adapted to the changes.
  • Effective approaches and any challenges for open employers to hire participants leaving an ADE.

You may receive an email from the NDIA if you are a participant or nominee for someone who has:

  • worked at an ADE within the last 2 years and
  • agreed to be contacted for research purposes.

Or if you are:

  • an employer of someone participating in this research project
  • or an ADE manager.

The email will include a link to the NDIS website to complete an online survey or form. This is not a scam.

Find out more about how our research is helping participants on our Research and evaluation page.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].