About CHESS Employment

Misson Statement

CHESS provides a specialised employment service and a range of personal support programmes. Our clients are either living with a mental health issue or dealing with other disadvantages.

We prepare our clients for employment and maintain ongoing support. CHESS is part of a dedicated Disability Employment Service empowered to offer a range of personal rehabilitation programmes.

CHESS provides a quality service that is responsive and individualised to our clients’ needs. Our organisation is innovative focusing on holistic solutions for a pathway to self reliance.

How we work with - our clients

We promote client-driven and strength-based recovery encouraging you to build on your personal capacity and grow your self reliance. We treat you as individuals, each with specific needs and recovery paths on your way to obtaining and retaining various forms of employment.  We believe that employment and work experiences are an integral and important part of recovery and these goals underpin our framework.

Our Services are at NO COST to the Jobseeker or Employer.

How we work with - our employers

CHESS works closely with local employers to identify your employment opportunities, and matches these to our diverse client skills-base.We will visit you onsite to discuss your employment requirements and to establish and maintain an effective working partnership. Such a process includes - understanding your work requirements, identifying suitable referrals, providing support for you and your new employees, arranging employer incentives, traineeships and apprenticeships. 

How we work with - our community

We are an independent not-for-profit organization governed by a community-based board representing business, community and consumers/clients. CHESS plays an important role in educating employers, co-workers and the broader community about disabilities, mental health and long-term medical conditions.  We advocate on behalf of our clients and can assist with work-related issues and to understand employment conditions, rights and obligations.

How we work with - our stakeholders

CHESS is a nationally accredited provider and member of the government disability employment network. CHESS currently delivers the Disability Employment Services (DES) and Personal Helpers and Mentors Program (PHAMs) on behalf of the Department of Employment, Education, and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and is a member of the OSTARA consortium. For the past 10 years we have worked closely within our local communities and value the partnerships we have forged with industry and government during that time.