Advance Employment Inc. is a not for profit Mental Health Community organisation funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Advance Employment is a specialist mental health Disability Employment Service (DES) service provider. Advance has been in operation in the Townsville region since 1996.

To be eligible to register with Advance a job seeker must have a diagnosed mental health condition and have participated in a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA), which is current for 2 years. It is essential that a Medical Report is taken to the JCA appointment to ensure that an appropriate referral is made.

Your DSP will be reduced based on how much you earn; you may only loose part of your pension. You can be assured that your employment consultant will work with you to ensure you are always financially better off. Having a job will offer you other positive life opportunities besides money.
For further details regarding your DSP and income contact Centrelink.

The time it takes to get a job is different for everyone and may depend on...

• how much effort you are willing to put into job search
• the type of work you are looking for
• your skill levels and training needs
• available vacancies

Your employment consultant will do everything in his/her power to provide employment-related opportunities; however the achievement of your employment goals depends on your active participation in the job search process.

Yes, and Advance is getting better at assisting people all the time.
It is a matter of matching your skills and abilities with the right work environment.
We have placed people at James Cook University, TAFE, Mater Hospital, schools and in a variety of businesses in the Townsville area.

Generally speaking no, it is important to take the first step and try. You will often be the best judge of what you can manage and your employment consultant is there to provide advice throughout the process.

It is important that you…

• try to minimise other stresses in your life, especially in the initial stages of work.
• tell your employment consultant how you are travelling and ask for help when necessary.
• maintain all of your support systems such as, family, friends and your mental health clinical support. Make sure that you tell them that you are starting work.
• remember to look after yourself, eat well, get some exercise, take your medication appropriately and get enough sleep.

Attend initial interview and registration

Prepare Employment Assistance Plan and Resume

Skills assessment and training (if appropriate)

Job Search

Apply for Jobs

Prepare for Interviews

Interviews

Start Work

Ongoing Job Support

No, once you have secured employment Advance Employment can continue to provide ongoing assistance to help you to keep your job. This support can be either on or off the job and may include…

• identifying a future career path
• developing strategies to help you increase productivity if necessary
• liaising with your employer to address any issues of concern that may arise
• helping you to address transport and lifestyle issues.

Your employment consultant will work with you to identify employment options that you may be interested in; you will receive assistance to identify your skills, abilities, strengths, interests and passions. This process may lead you to employment preferences and options that you may not have considered.

It is your choice how you manage your personal information. Your employment consultant will work with you to develop a plan on how you would like your personal information managed.

Advance Employment is not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO); but we can may arrangements for you to attend registered training programs where necessary.

Your Employment Consultant can assist you with on the job training to meet your job requirements where and when necessary.

At times Advance Employment conducts training courses in partnership with Registered Training Organisations.

Advance also has a well equipped training facility with a range of self-paced computer training resources.