Understanding employment options

Finding and keeping a job you enjoy starts with understanding yourself. 

Many organisations can help you find meaningful work that aligns with your strengths and interests. Below we explore the various employment options, support systems, and strategies to help autistic individuals navigate the job market and secure fulfilling employment.

Employment options

Many autistic people have intense interests and passions, which can be useful indicators when seeking employment. Gaining employment in something you love is helpful, but it’s not always possible. Here are some questions to consider when thinking about your career:

• What type of job or career would I like?
• Do I need or want to pursue further education (e.g., TAFE, university)?
• How much money do I need or want to earn?
• Do I want to work full-time or part-time, or perhaps just casually? 
• What supports and accommodations do I need to be successful in the workplace?

An excellent resource is the myWAY Employability website, developed by Autism CRC. This site helps you identify your strengths, skills, and potential career pathways. It supports setting, tracking, and attaining your goals, and you can invite members of your support team (e.g., an employment agency, mentor, or coach) to view your potential career pathways.

NDIS funding for employment supports

Check if you are eligible and can use your NDIS funding for any of the following support categories when engaging a provider for employment supports:

• Transport: If you require specialised transport to get to work.
• Assistance with social and community participation: Specialised supported employment.
• Increased social and community participation: Skills development and training.
• Finding and keeping a job: Assistance with job searches and maintaining employment.
• Improved learning: Support for educational pursuits related to employment.

The importance of employment

Having a job gives us a sense of purpose and connection to our community. It can provide financial independence, a feeling of security, and a stronger connection to our personal sense of self-worth and value. Employment also contributes to good mental health and wellbeing through productivity and being part of something bigger.

Many autistic individuals face challenges and barriers when trying to find stable and meaningful employment. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2014), the employment participation rate for autistic adults is only 42%, and they are three times more likely to be unemployed compared to other groups of people with disabilities. Those who do find employment often end up in low-paying or underemployed positions that don't match their skills and education, leading to unfulfilling work experiences.

Recognising these barriers is essential, providing solutions, strategies, and tools to help autistic individuals effectively obtain and maintain meaningful employment.

Choosing a career path 

When starting out, ask yourself what you are passionate about and compile a list. This list can include hobbies you enjoy, types of books you like to read, or the types of activities you like to do. Now, add the skills you are good at to the list. This can include communication styles, physical skills, attention to detail, technical skills or other soft skills

When you create a comprehensive list, you may begin to see a pattern of preferences and styles. Often, we don't realise our employment potential until we objectively evaluate our values and passions. 

These strategies work for people of any age. If you have been job-seeking or working for many years without job fulfilment, re-evaluating your values and passions can help you decide on your next career path.

Getting started

When deciding on a career pathway, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. You may have an idea of what you want to do but struggle to express your skills and strengths to a potential employer. You may also experience anxiety during job interviews.

To get job-ready, consider the following steps:

A good resume

Understanding the type of career or job you want can help you decide what information to include in your resume. This is helpful even if you don't have any job applications at the moment but want to prepare for future opportunities.

If you're unsure about your career aspirations, there are resources to help you match your skills and strengths with potential employment industries. myWAY Employability helps autistic young people prepare for working life by:

• Identifying strengths, interests, and work preferences.
• Discovering matches with relevant education, training, and career information.
• Setting goals and tracking progress.
• Inviting others to support their journey.

Some other useful resources include The Neurodiversity Hub and the myfuture website, which provides tools to explore career pathways and develop self-knowledge for career decision-making.

Interview preparation

Interview preparation is crucial for job seekers. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Research the company: Understand the company's mission, values, and work culture. This will help you tailor your responses to align with the company's goals.
• Practice common interview questions: Prepare answers for common interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want this job?" Practising your responses can help reduce anxiety.
• Highlight your strengths: Focus on your strengths and how they make you a good fit for the job. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
• Prepare questions for the interviewer: Having questions ready for the interviewer shows that you are interested in the position and the company. It also provides an opportunity to clarify any uncertainties.

Types of employment

There are many different types of employment that suit the needs of both employers and employees. Understanding these can help you find a job that aligns with your preferences, needs and lifestyle.

Employment contracts

An employment contract is a legal document signed by both the employer and employee. It sets out the conditions of employment, including the type of employment, hours of work, pay, and how the contract can be terminated. Both parties need to follow the terms outlined in the contract, so make sure you understand and agree to these before signing.

Permanent vs. fixed-term employment

• Permanent employment: Ongoing basis with no end date unless the employer or employee decides to end the employment. Employers must provide clear reasons for termination, such as redundancy or continued unacceptable performance after feedback and support.
• Fixed-term employment: Non-ongoing basis for a set period (days, weeks, months, or years). Fixed-term contracts can sometimes be extended or renewed.

Both permanent and fixed-term employees are entitled to paid leave and public holidays.

Full-time vs. part-time hours

• Full-time employment: Usually a maximum of 38 hours per week.
• Part-time employment: Less than 38 hours per week and can be individualised to personal commitments and preferences. Successful part-time work depends on matching your availability with the employer's needs.

Probation periods

A probation period is a trial phase before permanent or fixed-term employment is confirmed. It allows the employer to assess your fit for the role and address any adjustments needed for your success. Probation periods typically last between three to six months and are detailed in the employment contract.

Casual employment

Casual employees do not have a set work arrangement, and their workdays and hours may be irregular. While they are not entitled to paid leave, casual employees generally receive a higher hourly rate due to the unpredictability of their work hours. Some casual employees may be offered permanent or fixed-term contracts if the employer can provide more regular work.

Casual employment offers several advantages and disadvantages. One of the primary benefits is the greater flexibility and control over work hours, allowing individuals to choose when they work. Additionally, casual employees often receive higher hourly pay compared to their full-time counterparts. However, this type of employment also comes with some drawbacks. Casual employees don’t receive paid leave, and their work hours can be irregular, leading to an unpredictable income. 

Shift work

Shift work occurs on a rotating schedule, including day, afternoon, and night shifts. It is common in services operating outside regular business hours, such as healthcare and manufacturing. Types of common shifts include:

• Day shifts: Start in the morning and end in the early afternoon.
• Afternoon shifts: Start in the afternoon and end late at night.
• Night shifts: Start late at night and end in the morning.

Shift workers are typically paid a higher rate due to the inconvenience of the schedule and may work on a permanent, fixed-term, or casual basis with full-time or part-time hours.

FIFO (Fly-In Fly-Out) workers

FIFO workers travel to remote work locations and stay there for extended periods, typically in industries like mining. Employers provide accommodation and meals. FIFO workers often work 12-hour shifts and have extended periods off work after their roster. While the pay is high, the lifestyle can be challenging due to time away from home and social networks.

Daily and weekly hire

In industries like building, construction, and plumbing, employees can be hired daily or weekly and work full-time or part-time hours. They are generally paid at a higher rate to compensate for the inconsistent nature of the work.

As an autistic adult, you need to decide what type of work arrangement best suits your lifestyle and needs. There may be a few different options available in the industry sector you want to work in. You can discuss the pros and cons with your family, support network or career coach to help you make an informed decision.