NDIA Accountability Project

Submission 106 — Department of Defence — Select Committee on Autism

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SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON AUTISM

Department of Defence

Written Submission

August 2020

INTRODUCTION

  1. The Department of Defence (Defence) submission to the Senate Select Committee’s (the Committee’s) Inquiry into Autism highlights Defence’s efforts to support people with autism to fully participate and thrive within the workplace, within the economy, and therefore the broader community.
  2. The wide variety of roles in Defence offer opportunities for people with autism to succeed in the workplace while performing duties that align with their strengths and interests. This includes some of Defence’s more critical roles. As with all employees, it is incumbent upon the workplace to ensure that the appropriate scaffolding and support is available to ensure their potential is reached.
  3. The Department has a number of inclusive employment programs that provide opportunities for individuals with autism to work in Defence where ongoing support is provided including a pathway to assist the participants secure ongoing roles. Although it is likely Defence employs many people with autism outside of these programs, the key points in this paper have been drawn from them.

DEFENCE’S INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

  1. Defence’s inclusive employment programs are summarised below with further detail at Annex A. a. The Defence Administrative Assistance Program is a partnership between Defence and local Australian disability enterprises. This program provides people with disability, including autism, the opportunity to engage in meaningful work across Defence bases. b. The Defence Inclusive Employment Program creates pathways for people with an intellectual disability to begin their work journey within Defence. c. The Dandelion Program creates employment opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the field of ICT through a three year traineeship.
  2. Defence supports ADF members and their dependants with recognised special needs, such as autism, through a range of measures focused on reducing the impact of relocations caused by posting. These assistance measures complement those offered by the NDIS and are further enhanced by access to the Defence Special Needs Support Group, which receives backing from Defence.
  3. These programs and support arrangements demonstrate several levels of benefits for both the individuals and for Defence, including: a. Enhanced capability utilising a neurodiverse workforce; and b. Realisation of a capable, dedicated and conscientious workforce that are loyal to the organisation.
  4. These programs have contributed to realising Defence’s commitments to improving the diversity and inclusiveness of our workforce, particularly people of all abilities across our APS workforce.
  1. The following areas have been identified as important considerations when enhancing the experience of neurodiverse individuals within the workplace: a. Building the leadership capability of managers and supervisors to support neurodiverse individuals; b. Ensuring a clear understanding of the skills required to manage a neurodiverse workforce; and c. Professionalisation of trainees is an intensive process that requires resourcing support such as a dedicated Autism Support Coordinator.
  2. The key barriers to neurodiverse individuals entering and remaining in the workforce include: a. 56 per cent of job advertisements ask for ‘good communication skills’. When these are not clearly defined, they can be a significant barrier to neurodiverse people; b. The job application form does not clearly state what is required; c. Traditional approaches to job advertising and interviews are difficult for neurodiverse individuals to navigate; and d. Employment services often overlook the social support needs and on-the-job training required by employees with autism.

CONCLUSION

  1. Defence welcomes the Senate Select Committee on Autism and is available to expand on any aspect of this Submission at the Committee’s request.
  2. Defence eagerly awaits the Committee’s final report to identify any opportunities that may exist to enhance its approach to employing and supporting people with autism and to assist them to thrive in the workplace, within the economy, and within the broader community.

ANNEX A

DEFENCE’S INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

Defence’s disability employment programs are summarised below.

Defence Administrative Assistance Program

  1. The Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP) is a partnership with local Australian Disability Enterprises to provide people with disability the opportunity to engage in meaningful work. This partnership enhances Defence capability by providing administrative support to Defence bases across Australia.
  2. The DAAP began in 2014, with the contracts due to end 30 June 2021.
  3. The DAAP teams are successfully operating in nine Defence sites across the country providing capability support and customer service delivery directly to the organisation. The locations are: a. Campbell Park, ACT; b. Gallipoli Barracks, QLD; c. HMAS Stirling, WA; d. Holsworthy Barracks, NSW; e. Lavarack Barracks, QLD; f. RAAF Base Amberley, QLD; g. RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA; h. Robertson Barracks, NT; and i. Victoria Barracks Melbourne, VIC.
  4. The services carried out by the DAAP team require a lower level of complexity and are delivered to internal Defence clients or to contracted parties who provide other services to Defence. These services include, but are not limited to: a. photocopying; b. large and small mail outs; c. packaging; d. collating conference or training material, folders and information kits; e. shredding; and f. other low complexity tasks as agreed.
  5. The DAAP teams have been effectively integrated into their local bases and have demonstrated a high capacity to undertake a variety of work.

Defence Inclusive Employment Program

  1. The Defence Inclusive Employment Program (IEP) originated in 2013 as an entry-level employment pathway for people with intellectual disability.
  2. A total of 26 participants have successfully engaged in the program with 18 participants currently employed across six Australian cities.
  3. Defence employed IEP participants through the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Direction 2013 affirmative measures. Defence partners with Disability Employment Service providers to support IEP participants in the workplace.

  1. The services carried out by the IEP participants are of a routine nature, with a low level of complexity and will be delivered to internal Defence clients or to contracted parties who provide other services to Defence. These services include, (but are not limited to):

    • mail handling (opening, stamping, sorting, delivering)
    • replenishing paper and toner in printers, faxes and photocopiers
    • scanning
    • photocopying
    • printing
    • putting information packs together
    • shredding
    • setting up meeting rooms and tidying up after meetings
    • placing stationery orders
    • filing
    • data entry
    • basic note taking at meetings
    • log, monitor and follow up on ICT jobs
    • asset monitoring and recording
    • routine records management

The IEP program participants are operating effectively across a variety of Defence locations.

Dandelion Program

  1. The Dandelion Program (Dandelion) commenced in 2015 originally in partnership with Hewlett Packard, which then merged with CSC to form DXC Technology.

  2. Employment under Dandelion is located at the Defence National Operations Centre in Canberra and the work program focuses solely on cyber security.

  3. Nine individuals have participated in Dandelion as trainees with seven having gone on to secure ongoing employment and the remaining two trainees are currently in competitive recruitment processes seeking to gain an ongoing opportunity.

  4. Dandelion has the following objectives:

    • Create employment opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the field of ICT through a three year traineeship;
    • Deliver a dedicated cyber-security capability to Defence; and
    • Enable Defence to access, and subsequently acquire critical, skilled ICT resources.

  5. Dandelion is meeting its objectives and continuing to secure ongoing employment for several Dandelion participants.