Workplace adjustments: how to ask for what you need at work, and who pays

If a change to how, when or where you work would help you do your job, you can ask for it. It is called a workplace adjustment, and in most cases it costs your employer little or nothing.

The problem is that hardly anyone knows how the system works. National research from JobAccess found that 60 per cent of Australians are not aware of workplace adjustments at all, and 72 per cent of people do not know how to set one up. That knowledge gap holds people back from asking, and holds employers back from saying yes.

This guide covers what a workplace adjustment is, how to request one, and how the Employment Assistance Fund can pay for it. It comes as Anti-Discrimination NSW puts the issue in the spotlight with a free event on disability inclusion in employment on Thursday 17 September 2026, part of its ongoing Thought Leadership Series.

What a workplace adjustment is

A workplace adjustment is a change that removes a barrier so you can do your job on an equal footing. It can be a change to equipment, to a physical space, or to the way work is organised.

Adjustments fall into a few broad groups:

1. Changes to equipment or technology, such as screen reading software, a Braille display, a headset, an ergonomic mouse or an adjustable desk.
2. Changes to the physical workplace, such as a ramp, automatic doors, better lighting or an accessible bathroom.
3. Changes to how work is done, such as flexible start and finish times, working from home, quiet space, changed duties or extra time to learn a new system.
4. Services that support you, such as an Auslan interpreter, disability awareness training for your team, or support for a mental health condition.

Many of the most useful adjustments cost nothing at all. Flexible scheduling is one example, and it often helps the whole team, not just one person.

Your right to ask

You do not need to justify why you deserve a fair go. Under Australian discrimination law, employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for workers with disability, unless doing so would cause them unjustifiable hardship. That duty applies when you are applying for a job, once you are in the role, and if your needs change over time.

You also do not have to disclose your diagnosis to ask for an adjustment. You can focus the conversation on the barrier and the change that would fix it, rather than on your medical history.

How to request an adjustment

The right approach depends on your workplace, but the steps are broadly the same.

1. Work out what would help. Think about the specific task or moment that is harder than it needs to be, and the change that would remove the barrier. It helps to be concrete, for example “captions on team calls” rather than “help with meetings”.
2. Put the request to the right person. This is usually your manager, or human resources if your organisation has one. You can ask in a meeting, but it is worth following up in writing so there is a record.
3. Ask about funding early. If the adjustment has a cost, raise the Employment Assistance Fund (see below). It reassures an employer who is worried about the price.
4. Get a free workplace assessment if you need one. For adjustments over a certain cost, a funded workplace assessment can recommend exactly what you need. It also strengthens a funding application.
5. Keep a record. Note what you asked for, when, and what was agreed. If a request stalls, a clear record makes the next conversation easier.

If your needs change, you can ask again. An adjustment set up a year ago may no longer fit, and you are entitled to revisit it.

Who pays: the Employment Assistance Fund

The cost is the biggest myth. In the JobAccess research, 40 per cent of people thought adjustments would be expensive, and estimated the cost at around 6,800 dollars. In reality most adjustments cost less than 1,000 dollars, and many cost nothing.

Where there is a genuine cost, the Employment Assistance Fund, or EAF, is the main source of help. It is an Australian Government fund, delivered through JobAccess, that reimburses the cost of workplace changes, equipment and services needed because of disability.

Key things to know about the EAF:

• It is open to people who are employed, self-employed, or looking for work. You do not have to be in a job already.
• You, your employer, a service provider or someone acting for you can apply.
• It reimburses costs, so the item or service is purchased first and the money is paid back afterwards.
• Applications go through the JobAccess online portal, and an assessment usually takes up to 10 working days.
• A free workplace assessment is generally arranged for larger applications, at no cost to you or your employer.

The fund covers a wide range of things, including workplace modifications and equipment, specialised software, changes to a work vehicle, Auslan interpreting, disability awareness training for your team, and support relating to mental health or a learning disability. Different categories have different limits, and some, such as interpreting for job interviews, have no cap at all.

The employment gap is still wide

People with disability are still far less likely to be in work than people without disability. On the standard national measure, 48 per cent of working-age people with disability are employed, compared with 80 per cent of people without disability. Labour force participation has been rising, from 53.4 per cent in 2018 to 60.5 per cent in 2022, but the gap remains wide.

Workplace adjustments are one of the most practical levers for closing it. They are usually cheap, often free, and the barrier is rarely the money. It is knowing that adjustments exist, knowing how to ask, and knowing that funding is there.

That is the focus of the Anti-Discrimination NSW event on 17 September, which brings together advocates, employers and people with lived experience to talk about disability inclusion in employment and the role adjustments play. If you want to go deeper on the topic, it is a good place to start.

What to do next

If there is a change that would help you at work, start the conversation this week. Write down the barrier and the adjustment that would fix it, raise it with your manager or human resources, and mention that funding may be available through JobAccess so cost is not a reason to say no.

If you are looking for work, you can line up an adjustment before you start, and interpreting support for interviews is funded with no cap. If you are self-employed, you can apply too.

To check what is available and start an application, contact JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or through the JobAccess website.

FAQ

What is a workplace adjustment?

A workplace adjustment is a change that removes a barrier so a person with disability can do their job equally. It can be a change to equipment, to the physical workplace, or to how and when work is done, such as assistive technology, a ramp, flexible hours or an Auslan interpreter. Many adjustments cost little or nothing.

Do I have to tell my employer my diagnosis to get an adjustment?

No. You can focus the request on the barrier and the change that would remove it, rather than on your medical history. You are not required to disclose a diagnosis to ask for a reasonable adjustment.

Does my employer have to make the adjustment?

Under Australian discrimination law, employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for workers with disability, unless it would cause unjustifiable hardship. The duty applies when you apply for a job, while you are in the role, and if your needs change.

How much do workplace adjustments cost?

Most cost less than 1,000 dollars, and many cost nothing. Research shows people tend to overestimate the cost, guessing around 6,800 dollars, while changes like flexible scheduling cost nothing at all.

What is the Employment Assistance Fund?

The Employment Assistance Fund, delivered through JobAccess, is an Australian Government fund that reimburses the cost of workplace changes, equipment and services a person needs because of disability. It is open to people who are employed, self-employed or looking for work, and you apply through the JobAccess online portal.

Can I get help with adjustments if I am still job hunting?

Yes. The Employment Assistance Fund is open to job seekers as well as employees, and Auslan interpreting for job interviews is funded with no cap. You can arrange support before you start a role.

Want to go further? Read our guide to employment for people living with disability here.