Leaving school is a big milestone.
For many young people with disability — and their families — it can also feel uncertain.
We speak to parents and participants every week who say the same thing:
“School had structure. What happens now?”
The good news is the NDIS can play an important role in supporting this transition — when the right supports are in place.
Let’s walk through what help is available, what the NDIS does (and doesn’t) cover, and what you can do next.
What does “transitioning from school to employment” mean?
This transition isn’t just about getting a job straight away.
It can include:
- Building confidence and independence
- Learning workplace skills
- Exploring interests and strengths
- Trying work experiences or supported employment
- Preparing for further education or training
The NDIS focuses on capacity building — helping you develop the skills you need to move towards work at your own pace.
NDIS supports that can help with the transition
Depending on your goals and your plan, the NDIS may fund supports such as:
Capacity Building – Finding and Keeping a Job
This is the main employment-related support category.
It can include:
- Employment preparation and skill-building
- Resume support and interview practice
- Workplace readiness and confidence building
- Support to transition into a job
- Ongoing on-the-job support (where appropriate)
We see this work best when it’s aligned with what the young person actually wants — not just what’s “available”.
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
SLES is designed specifically for young people leaving school.
It focuses on:
- Developing independence
- Building work and life skills
- Exploring different job options
- Learning how to travel, communicate and manage routines
SLES is time-limited and goal-focused.
It’s not about rushing into employment — it’s about being ready.
Transition through School to Further Education
If further education or training is part of the plan, the NDIS may support:
- Transition planning
- Skill development related to learning environments
- Building independence needed for study or training
The focus is always on disability-related support — not tuition fees or course costs.
Support Coordination (if funded)
A Support Coordinator can:
- Help you understand your employment-related funding
- Connect you with suitable providers
- Coordinate supports during this transition phase
This can make a big difference when there are lots of moving parts.
What the NDIS does not fund
This is important to be clear about — we answer these questions every day.
The NDIS does not fund:
- Wages or employer costs
- Mainstream employment programs (like Disability Employment Services)
- Course fees, tuition or textbooks
- Career coaching or life coaching
- General work experience provided by schools
The NDIS supports your capacity — not the job system itself.
How Plan Management fits in
This is where we come in.
As your Plan Manager, we:
- Help you understand what employment supports you can claim
- Pay providers correctly and on time
- Track your employment-related budgets
- Flag if something looks unclear before it becomes a problem
We don’t coordinate your services or choose providers. With your consent, we can contact providers or request documents so claims are processed smoothly.
And you don’t need to repeat yourself — our plan managers always work from your history and plan details.
What to do next
If you’re approaching the end of school, here are some practical next steps:
- Check your NDIS goals
Are employment or independence goals clearly written? - Review your funding categories
Look for Capacity Building supports like Finding and Keeping a Job, Improved Learning, or Support Coordination. - Start early
Transitions work best when planning starts before school ends. - Ask questions
If you’re unsure whether something can be claimed, ask your Plan Manager before committing.
We see smoother transitions when families feel informed — not rushed.
Get Support with the NDIS Side of the Transition
If you want support that makes this transition feel clearer and less stressful, a Plan Hero Plan Manager can help.
We manage the NDIS side of things — paying providers, tracking budgets, and helping you understand what you can and can’t claim — so you’re not second-guessing every decision.
We speak to families going through this stage every day, and we know how much easier it feels when you have a plan manager who explains things properly and responds when you need them.
You can sign up to Plan Hero at no cost to you, or book a callback with one of our specialist Plan Managers to talk through your plan and find out if Plan Hero is right for you — and we’ll take care of the admin so you can focus on what comes next.
