School to work transition for young people with disability in Australia: the Ticket to Work approach

This report brings together the international research evidence about elements that result in successful transition from school to work for young people with disability, an analysis of the ecosystem in which young people with disability experience transition from school in Australia, and a description of the Australian transition initiative, Ticket to Work, and its impact on transition for this cohort.

The report highlights that transition outcomes can be improved for young people with disability when mechanisms are put in place to enhance what is usually available within schools, post-school education, and in the disability employment ecosystem. In addition, supporting young people and their families to engage in thinking about post-school employment early, results in a greater number of work-related opportunities being available to young people during their late schooling and early adult period.

Research evidence broadly identifies six intervention components that function to underpin employment outcomes for young people with disability. These are:

1. Family involvement and high expectations
2. Transition planning
3. Skills development (in-school and post-school) including vocational skill development
4. Work experience/paid employment
5. Employment supports
6. Inter-agency collaboration.

This report uses these 6 evidence areas as a way structure the analysis and discussion of the Australian ecosystem, and the specific initiative Ticket to Work.