If you are employed and living with ADHD in Western Australia, JobAccess may reimburse up to $1,770 per year of your coaching costs through the Employment Assistance Fund. You pay for each session first, then claim the cost back. Here is exactly how it works.
If you are employed and living with ADHD in Western Australia, the Australian Government may reimburse up to $1,770 per year of your ADHD coaching costs through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). The process works as a reimbursement: you pay for each coaching session, then claim the cost back through the JobAccess portal. Sessions you attend before your application is approved are not reimbursable, so it is worth starting the process before you begin coaching.
It is one of the most underused workplace supports available to Australians with ADHD. This guide explains how it works, who is eligible, and what the process actually looks like from start to finish.
What Is JobAccess?
JobAccess is an Australian Government initiative that provides information, advice, and funding to help people with disability, including ADHD, participate and thrive in the workplace. It is administered by the Department of Social Services and delivered through a network of advisers and registered providers.
The funding arm is called the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). It provides reimbursements for a range of workplace supports, including ADHD coaching, assistive technology, workplace modifications, and Auslan interpreting services.
You can find full details at jobaccess.gov.au or by calling the JobAccess Adviser Service on 1800 464 800 (free call, Monday to Friday).
How the Reimbursement Works
For ADHD coaching specifically, eligible employees can access up to $1,770 per year (including GST) through the EAF.
It is important to understand how the funding works in practice: you pay for coaching first, then claim the cost back from the EAF. This is different from some other government funding programs where the provider is paid directly. You will need to be able to cover the cost of sessions upfront and then submit your receipts for reimbursement through the JobAccess portal.
Sessions attended before your application is approved are not reimbursable. Starting the application process before you begin coaching avoids this gap.
Most claims are processed within a few weeks of submission.
Who Is Eligible?
To access EAF funding for ADHD coaching in Western Australia, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
- Be employed (full-time, part-time, or casual, including self-employed) and working at least 8 hours per week
- Have a diagnosis of ADHD (or another condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 2 years and limits or affects your ability to work)
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Have a genuine need for the support in relation to your work
- Have a myGov account linked to your Digital ID, Medicare, or Centrelink
A few things worth knowing:
- You do not need to be receiving Centrelink payments or any other government support to be eligible.
- The EAF is not means-tested. It is available to working Australians with ADHD regardless of income.
- You do not need to be struggling severely or on the verge of losing your job. The fund is designed to be proactive, to help people with ADHD perform better and stay in work.
- If you are a job seeker (not currently employed), there are separate JobAccess pathways that may also apply. It is worth contacting a JobAccess Adviser to discuss your situation.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, the JobAccess Adviser Service can help you work through your eligibility before you start the application process.
What Does ADHD Coaching Through JobAccess Cover?
Through the EAF, ADHD coaching sessions can address:
- Executive function: planning, prioritising, task initiation, and follow-through
- Time management and deadlines: building systems that work with your ADHD brain, not against it
- Workplace focus and concentration: strategies for managing distraction in your specific work environment
- Emotional regulation: managing overwhelm, rejection sensitivity, and perfectionism in a work context
- Communication and relationships: navigating workplace dynamics when ADHD affects how you process and respond
- Sustainable routines: building habits that stick, rather than relying on willpower
Coaching is practical and forward-focused. It is not therapy. It is skills-based support designed to help you function better in your specific work environment. Many people find it complements other supports rather than replacing them.
How the Application Process Works
The process is more straightforward than most people expect. Here is how it typically works:
Step 1: Contact JobAccess Call JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or visit jobaccess.gov.au to start the process. A JobAccess Adviser will talk through your situation, confirm your eligibility, and explain what documentation you will need. You can apply directly through JobAccess and do not need to involve your employer at this stage.
Step 2: Gather your documentation You will typically need:
- Evidence of your ADHD diagnosis (a letter from your GP, psychiatrist, or psychologist is usually sufficient)
- Information about your current employment (employer name, hours, role)
- A brief description of how ADHD affects your ability to work
Step 3: Submit your application Applications are submitted through the JobAccess portal. Your adviser will guide you through this. Approval typically takes a few weeks, though this can vary.
Step 4: Begin coaching and keep your receipts Once approved, you can begin coaching sessions. Keep all invoices and receipts. You will need these to claim reimbursement through the EAF portal after each session or block of sessions.
Step 5: Submit your claim for reimbursement After paying for coaching, submit your receipts through the JobAccess portal to claim back up to $1,770 per year. Reimbursements are generally processed within a few weeks.
Starting the conversation with JobAccess early is the best way to avoid delays, particularly if you are hoping to begin coaching at a specific time.
Do I Need to Tell My Employer?
You can apply directly through JobAccess (1800 464 800) and do not need to disclose your ADHD to your employer as part of the application process. In some cases, your employer may need to be involved if the coaching is framed as a workplace adjustment or if your employer is contributing to the cost, but a JobAccess Adviser can walk you through what is required in your specific situation.
If you are concerned about disclosure, it is worth raising that directly with them. They are experienced in navigating these conversations sensitively.
The Australian Human Rights Commission provides guidance on disability disclosure and workplace rights if you want to understand your legal position before deciding.
What If I Am Self-Employed?
Self-employed people with ADHD can also access EAF funding, provided you have been working at least 8 hours per week for the past 13 weeks and earning at least the national minimum wage. The application process is similar, though you will need to provide evidence of your self-employment rather than an employer's details.
If you run your own business and ADHD is affecting your ability to manage it, coaching funded through the EAF can be a genuinely useful support.
Why ADHD Coaching Is Worth Accessing Through JobAccess
Many adults with ADHD in WA have spent years developing workarounds: staying late to compensate for slow starts, over-preparing to manage anxiety, masking in meetings. It works, until it does not.
ADHD coaching through JobAccess gives you the chance to stop white-knuckling it and start building strategies that actually fit your brain. The difference is not just in productivity. It is in the mental load, the self-criticism, and the exhaustion that comes from constantly fighting yourself.
And because the cost is partially reimbursed, the barrier to accessing that support is significantly lower than it would otherwise be.
Other Resources Worth Knowing About
If you are navigating ADHD in the workplace in Western Australia, these organisations may also be useful:
- AADPA directory: lists ADHD-informed professionals across Australia
- Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA): directory of ADHD-informed professionals across Australia
- Inclusive Employment Australia (formerly DES): employment support services for people with disability
- JobAccess: full details on the EAF and other workplace supports
- Australian Human Rights Commission: Disability Rights: information on workplace rights and reasonable adjustments
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start coaching before my application is approved? Sessions attended before your application is approved are not reimbursable. It is strongly recommended to wait until you have received approval before beginning coaching, to ensure your sessions are eligible for reimbursement.
Do I need to tell my employer I have ADHD? No. You can apply directly through JobAccess and do not need to disclose your ADHD to your employer as part of the standard application process. A JobAccess Adviser can advise on your specific situation.
What if I am not sure whether I qualify? Call the JobAccess Adviser Service on 1800 464 800. They can talk through your situation and help you understand your options before you commit to anything.
Related posts: ADHD Executive Coaching in Perth: What It Is and Who It Helps | Late Diagnosis: What It Means to Discover ADHD as an Adult
Find out more: JobAccess and ADHD coaching for adults | Book a free 15-minute chat
Last reviewed: October 2026
Written by Sophie Berry
Registered teacher (25+ years in education) and certified ADHD coach, Focus Collective, Perth WA.
Last reviewed: October 2026
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