Supported Wage System (SWS) — Productivity Assessment Application

Issuing authority

Department of Social Services (DSS) — SWS Assessment Team, administered via JobAccess

Official source

How to apply

1. Confirm employee eligibility: must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged 15+, meet DSP impairment criteria, and work at least 8 hours per week in a role covered by an award or law that allows SWS participation.
2. The employer, employee, or disability employment service provider logs in to JobAccess Secure (jobaccess.gov.au) using the 'EAF/SWS Login' option and submits an SWS application online.
3. The DSS Assessment Team reviews the application for eligibility within 10 working days; if needed, a Centrelink eligibility test will be arranged.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed, DSS arranges an accredited assessor to attend the workplace on a regular workday and observe the employee performing their usual duties.
5. The assessor calculates a productivity percentage against the full award rate benchmark for that role.
6. The employer and employee both sign a Wage Assessment Agreement recording the agreed supported wage percentage.
7. If required by the relevant industrial instrument, the signed agreement is lodged with the Fair Work Commission or relevant industrial authority.
8. The employer may begin paying the supported wage from the date both parties signed the agreement.
9. Reassessments are conducted periodically — contact DSS Assessment Team on 1800 065 123 or JobAccess on 1800 464 800 for scheduling.

Related topics

Related forms

• Unfair Dismissal ApplicationForm F2
• Employer Response to Unfair DismissalForm F3
• Application to Stop Workplace BullyingForm F72
• General Protections Application (Dismissal)Form F8
• Unpaid Wages / Entitlements Complaint