Is SLES still an NDIS program in 2026–27? School Leaver Employment Supports vs Employment Assistance explained

Families often ask whether School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is still an NDIS program, especially now that NDIS materials use the term “Employment Assistance” or “Finding and Keeping a Job.” In fact, SLES has not disappeared overnight, but the language and funding arrangements have changed. Since mid‑2024 the NDIS began shifting long‑standing SLES supports into new categories focused on actual job outcomes. This guide explains what SLES was, what it means today, and how the new employment supports work. We’ll clear up the confusion and show how NextGen Youth Employment can help you navigate the current NDIS SLES guidelines and funding (and find the right providers).

A person hands a paper resume to an employer across a desk while a support worker stands beside them.

What was SLES (School Leaver Employment Supports)?

SLES stands for School Leaver Employment Supports. It was introduced as an NDIS capacity‑building support for young people with disability leaving school (generally Year 12 students and recent school leavers). Its purpose was to fund a program that helps school leavers prepare for work, build employability skills and confidence, and gain experience – essentially “the bridge between school and work.” According to NDIS information, SLES is “a reasonable and necessary support for Year 12 school leavers, to assist them transition from school into employment.” Supports may include structured work experience in open employment, job site training, travel training, and other activities contributing to an employment outcome.

Key points about SLES:

  • Designed for school leavers. SLES funding was specifically for NDIS participants in their final year of school or just left school, to ease their move into the workforce.
  • Capacity‑building focus. It’s not a wage‑subsidy or direct job placement, but a capacity‑building program. Typically funded for up to 2 years after leaving school, SLES emphasises skill‑building rather than ongoing job support.
  • Supports provided. SLES could cover a wide range of preparatory activities. For example, SLES funding often pays for workplace skills training, understanding employer expectations, communication and travel planning skills, trying out different work tasks, and other practical job‑readiness activities. It’s very “hands-on” and flexible to each person’s needs.

In short, SLES meaning is training and support for young school leavers. An NDIS fact sheet explains: “SLES is a new … support for Year 12 school leavers, to assist them transition from school into employment,” including things like “work experience … job site training, travel training” and related activities. In practice, a SLES program might involve daily or weekly sessions where a support provider (often an employment coach) takes a young person to a workplace, helps them develop routines, social skills, or on‑the‑job abilities, and builds their confidence.

SLES NDIS funding example: A participant might use SLES funding to have an employment support worker teach them workplace communication, practice public transport travel to a job site, or spend a few days helping in a café or office to gain hands‑on experience. These supports are tied to the participant’s employment goals.

SLES funding and what it covers

Families often wonder “what can SLES funding be used for?” SLES funding is meant to be flexible but clearly linked to employment goals. For example, SLES can cover things like:

  • Building workplace skills and routines, such as communication, punctuality and hygiene at work.
  • Understanding employer expectations – learning what it’s like to be in a job, how to interact with supervisors and coworkers.
  • Social and confidence building, such as practising teamwork, personal presentation, and self‑advocacy at work.
  • Travel training – learning to use public transport or other means to get to work independently.
  • Trying out different work activities or industries, so the participant can discover what they enjoy and what jobs suit them.
  • Resume building and interview preparation, to prepare for applying to real jobs down the track.

Importantly, SLES funds do not pay wages or guarantee a job. They are strictly for capacity building before paid work. For example, SLES won’t pay for job coaching on the job once someone is employed (that is covered by a different support) and it doesn’t directly subsidise employment costs. It’s about preparation. NDIS guidelines explicitly say SLES is “about preparing for employment, not placing someone directly into a job”. Once the young person is ready for paid work, other supports (such as Supported Employment or Inclusive Employment Australia) can take over.

Why the change? Introduction of “Employment Assistance”

In 2024, the NDIS began overhauling how it funds employment supports. This was partly driven by the NDIS Act reforms and a goal to get participants into real jobs more efficiently. Instead of running long-term programs like SLES indefinitely, the NDIA introduced a new approach called Employment Assistance (sometimes also called Finding and Keeping a Job support).

Since 1 July 2024, NDIS employment supports for school leavers have been gradually shifting into this new framework. In practice, “Employment Assistance” is not a brand-new service with its own name in plans; rather, it describes how SLES‑style supports are being delivered under broader categories. The key idea is that supports should be focused on actual job outcomes. As one guide explains, the change shifts from “getting ready for work” to “getting into work”, with funding tied to helping participants actually secure and start a job.

What does this mean?

  • Employment Assistance / Finding and Keeping a Job. In new and updated NDIS plans, supports that used to be called SLES are now often wrapped into Finding and Keeping a Job (sometimes abbreviated FaKaJ) under the Capacity Building category (often budget 3.10). Some planners or providers may simply call the line item “Employment Assistance”. This funding still covers very similar services: work experience, skills training, career planning, and so on, but with an emphasis on producing a real employment outcome.
  • No hard end to learning. The new approach aims to avoid participants staying in lengthy programs if it’s not needed. For instance, if the person is ready, they should be moving into paid work sooner. The supports are meant to be more flexible and tailored to each person’s pace.

In everyday terms, families should know that seeing “Finding and Keeping a Job” or “Employment Assistance” on a plan is the updated terminology for what SLES provided. For example, disability providers and organisations often note: depending on when the plan was written, you might see one of these listed under your NDIS plan’s Capacity Building supports.

Terminology note: SLES, Youth Employment Assistance, and Finding & Keeping a Job are all referring to very similar things. The names changed over time, but the purpose remains to get young people into work.

How SLES and Employment Assistance differ (and overlap)

Many people wonder: “Are SLES and Employment Assistance the same?” The answer is they cover much of the same ground, but the emphasis and context have changed. Here are the differences:

  • Name and eligibility: SLES was specifically for school leavers (Year 12). The new “Employment Assistance” approach is not limited to students – it can be used by any NDIS participant with employment goals (even if they left school years ago). In fact, service providers note that the supports once called SLES can now be provided to any participant seeking work readiness under the broader Finding & Keeping a Job category. For example, Help Enterprises explains that if someone isn’t a “school leaver” anymore, they can still get tailored Employment Assistance support under their plan.

  • Focus: SLES traditionally emphasised getting ready – building skills before a job. Employment Assistance emphasizes getting into work – aiming more directly at finding and sustaining a job. That might mean stronger connections with employers and setting concrete job goals earlier. However, in practical terms, participants still do work experience and training, which are funded similarly in both approaches.

  • Funding line items: Under the older system, NDIS plans listed a specific line item “School Leaver Employment Supports”. Under the new system, plans will list either “Finding and Keeping a Job” supports or sometimes label it generically as “Employment Assistance.” In some cases, all three terms can appear in plan documentation (for example, a legacy plan might show SLES funding, while a new plan uses Finding & Keeping a Job funds). Providers say that plans approved after mid‑2024 might use the new titles, but older plans may still say SLES.

  • Duration: Both SLES and the new supports are typically time-limited. SLES was usually funded for up to 2 years (for example, covering the last year of school and the first year out of school). Employment Assistance in new plans is also not intended as an open-ended support; it usually has a similar time frame focused on the critical school-to-work transition period.

  • Reporting and planning: In any case, the supports from either approach require a clear plan and reporting. Employment providers must document outcomes. The NDIS requires tailored support plans for these services (for example, an “employment plan” written with the participant), and providers report progress on job readiness goals, just as they did under SLES.

In essence, SLES never completely disappeared; it’s evolving. If you’re reading NDIS guidelines or budgets, “Employment Assistance” or “Finding and Keeping a Job” is the updated term for those transitional youth employment supports.

Is SLES still funded under the NDIS (2026–27)?

Yes – but with a catch. Under the current NDIS pricing arrangements, transitional funding for SLES continues through 30 June 2027. This means that if a participant has SLES listed in their plan in 2024 or 2025, those funds remain valid and can be spent until mid‑2027. After that date, the standalone SLES line item will no longer exist.

What this means for you:

  • Existing plans with SLES: If your plan (approved before mid-2024) has SLES funding allocated, you can continue using it in 2026. You don’t lose it; it will roll over until June 2027 as per the transitional rules. You should use it on the intended employment-preparation activities before it expires.
  • New or rolling plans: New plans (from July 2024 onward) typically won’t have a “SLES” line at all. Instead, they include Finding & Keeping a Job or Employment Assistance funding in the Capacity Building section. Even if your plan doesn’t say “SLES,” it should still support the same outcomes. You can work with your planner or support coordinator to make sure your employment goal is captured in the new format.

NDIS pricing documents for 2024–25, 2025–26 and 2026–27 explicitly allow providers to use the old SLES support items until 30 June 2027. This transitional provision is part of the unified pricing arrangements (for example, see the NDIS Pricing Arrangements for 2024–27). In practice, it just means agencies can keep running familiar SLES programs until the end of the next financial year. After that, all such supports will be under the newer categories.

SLES funding eligibility

The eligibility for SLES funding itself hasn’t changed: the participant still needs to be an NDIS participant who’s a school leaver or just out of school. For others, similar supports come under the new labels. If a participant was deemed eligible for SLES, they will also qualify for the equivalent supports under Employment Assistance. In short, the criteria remain the same but the paperwork changed.

Understanding your NDIS plan: SLES vs Finding & Keeping a Job

When you read an NDIS plan (or price guide), the terminology can be confusing. Here’s how to interpret what you see:

  • Check the line items: Look under the Capacity Building – Employment budget (often budget item 3.10). You might see:

    • “School Leaver Employment Supports” (or sometimes “SLES”). This will appear only in older plans. If it’s listed, it’s for transition-to-work activities.
    • “Finding and Keeping a Job”. This is the current NDIS category covering what used to be SLES plus other employment prep supports. It’s still a capacity-building item.
    • “Employment Assistance”. This is another way plans may label similar funding. Essentially, it’s the same idea.
    • In some cases (especially if the plan straddles the changeover), you may actually see all three listed (as noted by service providers). For example, Help Enterprises reports that plans in 2025-26 could include “School Leaver Employment Supports,” “Employment Assistance,” and “Finding and Keeping a Job” all in the same plan – they are just different labels for overlapping supports.

  • Review the goals. Regardless of name, the funding should tie to employment goals in your plan. If your plan’s goal is “I want to work in a retail job” or similar, then the budget should include one of these line items. The participant’s support coordinator or planner can confirm which funds apply.

  • Look at the funding split. Typically, a plan will specify an amount for these supports. If it’s labeled as SLES (older plan), you’ll see the SLES funding. If labeled differently, look for “Finding & Keeping” or “employment” in the description.

  • Ask questions. If you’re not sure, ask your support coordinator or NDIS planner to explain. It’s normal to see unfamiliar terms. Explain that SLES was a thing you’ve heard about, and ask if it’s now covered by one of the current line items. Most providers and coordinators are aware that families are confused by this change, and they can translate the lingo for you.

Quick tip: If you see Finding and Keeping a Job in your plan’s Capacity Building section, treat it as your “SLES funding.” It’s designed for the same school‑to‑work supports, even if the name is different.

Practical examples and FAQs

To make this concrete, here are some common questions parents and coordinators have, and answers:

  • “My child’s plan still shows SLES funding. Do I still use it?”
    Yes. You can continue to use any existing SLES funds in the plan until 30 June 2027. Use it on appropriate employment-preparation activities. You might also work towards converting any remaining needs into the new Finding & Keeping a Job category in the next plan review.

  • “The plan doesn’t mention SLES at all. Is that normal?”
    If the plan was written after mid‑2024, it’s normal. Instead, look for Finding and Keeping a Job or an Employment Assistance funding line. That’s how SLES-type supports are now listed. If in doubt, have your coordinator clarify which supports in the plan are meant for school‑to‑work transition.

  • “I thought SLES was only for teenagers. My daughter isn’t in school now – can she still get help?”
    Yes. The supports formerly called SLES are now simply part of general employment assistance, which can be tailored to any age. For example, providers note that even if someone is past school age, they can still receive Employment Assistance for work-preparation (no age limit). So your daughter can still get similar support – it just won’t be labeled SLES unless she’s still considered a recent school leaver.

  • “What kinds of providers deliver these services?”
    Any registered NDIS provider who offers employment services can deliver SLES or Finding & Keeping a Job supports. These might be disability employment specialists, local disability organisations, or agencies like NextGen Youth Employment. When searching online, people often look for “SLES providers near me” or “finding and keeping a job NDIS”. NextGen Youth Employment and similar organisations appear under terms like “NDIS SLES providers” or “Finding and keeping a job providers.” These organisations have experience designing work skills programs for school leavers.

  • “Is there a price guide or funding limit I should know about?”
    Yes. The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (the NDIS price guide for 2024–27) sets maximum prices for employment supports. For example, there are specific price caps for items like Job Finding/Keeping a Job supports (including what SLES providers charge). Families rarely need to set these prices themselves, but it’s good to know the prices exist. If you want details, you can download the price list from NDIS or ask your provider. In general, providers like NextGen will bill the NDIS according to the published rate for the service code. If budget is limited, it just means you’ll have hours corresponding to the funded amount.

  • “What about SLES funding eligibility and goals?”
    To get SLES (or its equivalent), your NDIS plan must have an employment-related goal. This is true for both old SLES and new Finding & Keeping a Job funds. During planning, make sure an employment goal (like “get a part-time job” or “build work skills”) is clearly written. Then NDIS will include relevant supports. SLES itself was granted because the participant was a school leaver with that goal. Now, if the goal is written, the supports may simply fall under the new category.

How NextGen Youth Employment can help

At NextGen Youth Employment, we specialise in supporting NDIS participants (and their families) through this transition. We have extensive experience with both SLES and the newer employment assistance programs. If you’re unsure how SLES or Finding & Keeping a Job supports apply to your situation, we can help untangle it.

  • Assessing supports: We can review your NDIS plan with you to identify what funding is available for employment support, whether it’s still called SLES or under a new heading.
  • Planning and goal‑setting: Our team works with participants to set realistic employment goals and create a step-by-step plan (including SLES or job-seeking activities) that aligns with the plan funding.
  • Delivering services: NextGen runs tailored programs – for example, work-readiness workshops, on‑site job trials, supported travel training, and employer liaison – all covered by SLES or Finding & Keeping a Job funding. We help young people build skills while keeping focus on actual job outcomes.
  • Coaching and support coordination: We liaise with schools, families and NDIS planners to ensure seamless transition. We keep you updated on how the supports are progressing toward the employment goal.

If you have more questions about SLES, Employment Assistance or any NDIS employment support, please contact NextGen Youth Employment. We can explain the current NDIS SLES guidelines, help clarify your plan’s funding, and provide the tailored support your young person needs to find and keep a job.

The bottom line is that while the name SLES NDIS is being phased out, the supports it refers to are very much still available in 2026–27. The NDIS has simply repackaged them under “Finding and Keeping a Job” / “Employment Assistance” headings. Keep focused on the goal of moving into work, and use the funding in your plan accordingly. NextGen Youth Employment is here to guide you through the terminology changes and ensure your school leaver gets the right support to achieve their employment goals.