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Beyond Diversity: Proven managed workforce model addressing talent shortages and disability underemployment across NSW

Civic Disability Services

Sydney, NSW. As workforce shortages continue across Greater Sydney and the Illawarra, new national data reveals a significant untapped talent pool: people with disability who are willing and able to work but remain underemployed or excluded from the labour market.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 10% of employed people with disability are underemployed, wanting and able to work more hours, compared with 6.9% of people without disability. More recently, Jobs and Skills Australia confirmed that around 260,000 people with disability are currently not employed but are potentially job-ready, citing structural barriers rather than capability as the primary issue.

Against this backdrop, Civic Disability Services (Civic) is scaling its proven Civic Crew model – a fully managed workforce solution that enables businesses to meet operational demand while creating meaningful, sustainable employment opportunities for people with disability.

Originally established in 2019, Civic Crew was designed to remove the friction that often stops organisations from turning inclusive employment intentions into action.

A Proven Model That Removes Barriers for Employers

While many organisations recognise the benefits of employing people with disability -including improved staff morale, stronger workplace culture and alignment with environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments – uncertainty around recruitment, compliance and on-the-job support continues to hold businesses back.

Civic Crew addresses this challenge directly.

“We know businesses want to build more inclusive workplaces but often don’t know where to start or worry about the additional workload,” said Danielle Roderick, General Manager, Job Pathways at Civic.

“Civic Crew removes that complexity. We manage the entire workforce solution so organisations can focus on running their business, while also achieving meaningful social and economic impact.”

A Fully Managed Workforce Solution

Unlike traditional recruitment or labour-hire models, Civic Crew operates as a fully managed workforce partner, embedding supported teams directly into host organisations.

Civic manages the entire end-to-end process, including:

• Recruitment and onboarding – sourcing, training and preparing job-ready 
  participants
• Administrative and HR management – managing compliance, documentation and 
  coordination
• On-site supervision and ongoing support – ensuring consistency, productivity and 
  workforce stability

Participants remain employees of Civic, benefiting from structured support systems, while contributing productively within host workplaces.

This approach reduces risk, saves time and removes pressure on internal HR teams, while providing businesses with a reliable, motivated and supported workforce.

From Inclusion to Economic Impact

At a time when employers are facing ongoing labour constraints, Civic Crew reframes disability employment as a workforce solution – not a charitable exercise.

National research shows that people with disability continue to face entrenched disadvantage in the labour market, despite strong willingness to work and growing skills diversity. By combining workforce capability with embedded support, Civic Crew demonstrates that inclusive employment is not only achievable, but commercially viable and scalable. 

Building Disability-Confident Workplaces

In addition to providing a fully managed workforce, Civic also partners with host organisations to build their confidence and capability to employ people with disability. This includes tailored support to help workplaces become more disability-confident, inclusive and accessible in their recruitment and employment practices.

“We work alongside organisations to strengthen their inclusive hiring approaches, prove workplace readiness and develop a practical understanding of reasonable adjustments, communication and on-the-job support,” says Dani. “By combining workforce delivery with capability-building, we help organisations not only fill immediate roles but lay the foundations for more inclusive employment practices over the long term.”

Business leaders interested in addressing workforce shortages while unlocking underutilised talent are encouraged to download Civic’s 2026 Guide to Managed Inclusive Hiring, outlining the data, business benefits and real-world applications of the Civic Crew model.

To find out more about becoming an inclusive employer head to: 
civic.org.au/inclusive-recruitment-for-employers/

Interested in how Civic can help you reach your career goals? Head to: civic.org.au/disability-job-support-sydney/ 

Media Contact

Lizzy Wood 
General Manager Brand & Engagement
Civic Disability Services
[email protected]
0407 008 809

Access the full Civic Employment Media Pack here

FACT SHEET: Inclusive Hiring & Workforce Solutions

Workforce & Economic Opportunity

• Only 53% of Australians with disability participate in the labour force (Source: 
  Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (Source: AIHW) / ABS SDAC)
• Job seekers with disability take 60% longer to find work, despite often having higher 
  qualifications (Source: ABS/AIHW)
• $31 billion annual economic impact attributed to neurodiverse underemployment in 
  Australia (Source: Deloitte Access Economics / Amaze / NeuRA)

Workplace Myths vs Reality

• Average cost of workplace adjustments: $0 (Source: JobAccess / Australian 
  Department of Social Services)
• Simple adjustments such as flexible hours, written instructions, lighting changes, 
  improve performance for all employees, not just those with disability (Source: 
  Australian Disability Network)

Productivity & Retention

• Employees with disability have higher than average retention rates (Source: JobAccess / OECD)
• Neurodiverse teams are up to 30% more productive (Source: Harvard Business Review)
• Inclusive hiring can save then of thousands of dollars in recruitment and onboarding costs due to reduced turnover (Source: Australian Disability Network)

Employer Perceptions

• 57% of employers hesitate to hire individuals with autism due to perceived risk or 
  lack of knowledge (Source: Amaze) 

Inclusion & Employment Gaps

• Only 8% of people with Down Syndrome are in open employment (Source: Down Syndrome Australia)
• Inclusive hiring remains one of the largest untapped talent pools in NSW (Source: NSW Public Service Commission)

Proven Impact: Civic Partnerships

BGIS Partnership:

• 6 employees with intellectual disability placed in logistics and housekeeping roles
• Model recognised with a Collaborative Partnership Award 

Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP):

• Delivered support across high-security Defence sites including Holsworthy Army Base
• Teams managed complex admin, archiving and logistics functions under strict compliance 

Career Progression Outcomes

Example Pathway:

• Transition from supported employment to open employment and leadership roles
• Employees progressing into mentorship and support positions, creating a ‘multiplier effect’

The Civic Crew Model

A fully managed workforce solution that includes:

• Recruitment and onboarding
• HR, compliance and administration
• On-site supervision and ongoing support 

Outcome:

• Reduced operational burden for businesses
• Improved workforce reliability and integration
• Scalable solution to labour shortages across NSW

About us:

Civic is a not-for-profit organisation supporting people with disability. Founded in the 1950s by a group of parents caring for their children with disability in the Sutherland Shire, Civic now provides whole-of-life services in many NSW locations, while remaining true to the values that inspired its creation. We are proud to have supported people with disability for over 60 years and recognise that being invited into the lives of others is an honour and a privilege. For the past six decades people have been, and remain, at the heart of everything we do. We take pride in delivering quality services and supports to customers and families – giving every opportunity to lead the lives they want.

Contact details:

Lizzy Wood 
General Manager Brand & Engagement
Civic Disability Services
[email protected]
0407 008 809