Staff shortages could be eased if employers changed their approach to job applicants with a disability, the social services minister says.
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Amanda Rishworth wants employers to "think outside the box" when it comes to hiring processes.
"Community attitudes are one of the biggest barriers facing people with a disability to get employment," she told ABC radio on Thursday.
"I want employers to have a serious think about how they can potentially employ someone with a disability."
If employers don't hire applicants with a disability they will miss out and won't get the employees they need in the midst of the labour shortage, the minister said.
Ms Rishworth intends to hold a roundtable bringing together employers, unions and disability groups to discuss barriers to employment can be overcome.
"There are a lot of people that successfully gain employment where nothing (in the workplace) needed to change, it was an attitude change," she said.
"We need a commitment from businesses, that they are interested in doing this that they're committed to putting some attention and focus on this."
Ms Rishworth will attend a National Youth Disability Summit on Thursday ahead of the broader roundtable later in the year.
Australian Associated Press
