Meet Alex

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Alex behind the wheel

29-year-old Alex is one of the happiest and most enthusiastic support workers you’ll come across.

His lived experience with autism makes him a great fit for his job, but it wasn’t that long ago he struggled to believe he would ever find work.

“I couldn’t talk to anybody” Alex said.

“I couldn’t even walk outside and say hello to people because I was so shy.”

Today, he has transformed.

Read a full transcript of this video. 

"It's always good to give it a shot"

Helping people with disability

Alex is a member of the Lifeplan Disability Services team, based in Perth.

As a support worker he works with several clients providing social support, working on their goals and assisting them with any day-to-day tasks.

“Alex fits really well with the job with us as a support worker because he has a really friendly, smiley disposition about him” his employer Shannon said.

“He has nothing but positive things to say and he takes that out and supports our clients in the community with that same energy.”

Autism is a lifelong condition which affects a person’s thinking, interactions, and reactions to their surroundings.

“Not having a job made me feel like I couldn’t do anything” Alex recalled.

When it came to searching for a job, Alex had difficulty with his speech and communicating with other people.

He also benefited from additional guidance to learn new tasks, taking a little more time to commit tasks to memory.

APM helped Alex build his confidence by connecting him with training courses and getting his driver’s licence.

“APM really supported me through difficult times” he said.

“Working with APM, finding a match for people for our role was simple” Shannon said.

“They know everything that the client is able to do, to make sure they’re suitable to send over to us first.”

She describes the impact hiring Alex has had in her business:

“Putting someone with a disability in to help other with a disability is a really empowering thing.”

And the effect this has with their clients:

“Some clients and their families were apprehensive at first, but after working with Alex and seeing how fantastic he is with their clients, it gives renewed hope for what their own family are able to achieve.”

Alexander talking with a woman infront of a vehicle

“APM were always there for me”

Supported all the way

Alex was employed with support from the Disability Employment Services Program, delivered by APM.

APM Employment Services has supported more than 120,000 job seekers with an injury, illness or disability into work over the last two years, and CEO Karen Rainbow says the impact of employment on a person’s life is very significant.

“When someone starts working after believing they may never get the chance, is life-changing" said Ms Rainbow.

An average workday for Alex involves driving his clients around Perth - providing transport to help them engage and socialise in their local community and achieve their personal goals.

Shopping and cooking are a couple of the main tasks Alex helps his clients with – he’s learned lots of new things – including picking up a few new recipes for himself.

“My friends and family are so happy for me – it makes me really happy, and it makes me a better person” Alex said.

The positive impact is best measured by his cheerful response when asked how he feels about the future:

“I’m ready. Rock n’ roll!”

Alexander smiling

“It makes me a better person”

Are you eligible for Disability Employment Services?

You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:

  • An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
  • Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
  • Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity

If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.

If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you are eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider.

Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.

If you’re with another Disability Employment Services provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

Frequently asked questions

APM is the largest provider of Disability Employment Services in Australia.


With more than 500 locations across the country we help more people into work than anyone else.


We know how hard it is to find work when you’re facing other challenges. We don’t just want you to find a job, we want to help you change your life for the better.


When you come to APM we get to know you so we can help you get the support that’s right for you.


We help you set realistic goals and keep you focused on finding a job that works for you.


There’s a job out there for you.


Let’s go find it.

Disability Employment Services (DES) is an initiative by the Australian Government to help people with an injury, illness or disability find and keep a job.


This can include helping people to:

  • manage health issues that may be making it hard to get work
  • identifying their strengths and work capabilities
  • developing skills for jobs and being part of a workplace
  • succeed when they start a new job with further information and support

APM is Australia’s largest contracted provider of Disability Employment Services and we deliver support programs to eligible people across the country.

You can join APM for Disability Employment Services through Centrelink.


When you visit Centrelink, they carry out an employment assessment and if you're eligible, they will recommend you to a Disability Employment Services provider. Remember to ask to join APM so you get the best service when searching for employment.


To be eligible for Disability Employment Services, you must be:

  • An Australian resident aged from at least 14 to pension age
  • Receiving an income support payment, disability support pension, an NDIS participant or an eligible school leaver
  • Able to work between eight to 30 hours per week (with support when required)
  • Not studying full time (unless you’re an eligible school leaver)
  • Not already working at or above your assessed work capacity

If you're already receiving an income support payment, you can also register with us directly.



If you’re with another provider, but would like to change to APM, contact us and our teams will be happy to speak to you.

When you register with APM for Disability Employment Services, we will contact you to confirm your eligibility and invite you for your first appointment.


You will get a local employment consultant who knows the employers, businesses and job opportunities near you.


They will listen to you and build a plan that takes into account your health, personal circumstances, interests and any skills or experience you may have.


Your plan will be unique to you and include steps to help with:

  • building your confidence
  • writing your resume and job applications
  • searching for suitable jobs with potential employers
  • preparing for interviews
  • access to services to manage health issues or barriers to work

With APM, you get the support, you get the skills and you get the rewards of having a valuable job.

Don’t miss out on a program made just for you, by one of Australia’s best-rated providers.


APM has some of the highest job placement rates in the country.


You can transfer to your nearest APM team in three easy steps:

  1. Call the National Customer Service Line on 1800 805 260
  2. Ask to transfer to APM
  3. Accept our invite to your first meeting

Join the thousands of APM job seekers who change their lives every year by finding valuable employment.

APM is Australia's largest provider of Disability Employment Services and we have more than 500 locations nationwide.


You can find your nearest APM team on our Find Us page.

There are jobs out there.

We can help you find them.