Breaking Barriers: early success from Good Sammy’s Open Employment trials

At Good Sammy, our purpose is simple: to create job opportunities for people with disability across Western Australia. One of the most powerful ways to achieve this is through open employment — mainstream jobs that reflect individual strengths and aspirations, supported by the right tools and guidance to thrive.

Thanks to grant funding, we launched the Open Employment project, trialling new models of support designed to open more doors for people with disability. Our April 2025 Interim Report captures the early results of this work, and the findings are already showing strong progress.

For Participants

The interim results show that most participants are not only securing roles but keeping them. In fact, 85 percent of those placed in open employment have remained in their positions — a sign that the trial’s matching process and supports are working well. Around 60 percent reported greater self-confidence and independence, and many also described feeling more included in their communities. Training in digital skills has also had a big impact, with 70 percent of participants improving their employability and moving into roles such as administration, retail, and logistics.

For Employers

Employers involved in the trials reported clear benefits for their workplaces. Many noticed stronger collaboration and higher satisfaction across their teams after hiring people with disability, highlighting how inclusive employment can strengthen culture and challenge common misconceptions.

What works

The project has also revealed what helps people stay in work. Mentoring and job coaching proved to be critical, with more than 90 percent of participants saying consistent, personalised support was the main reason they were able to sustain employment. Employers echoed this view, recognising that tailored assistance not only helps individuals succeed but also contributes to healthier, more engaged workplaces.

Building inclusive workplaces

These findings demonstrate that inclusive employment delivers value for everyone. Participants gained skills, confidence, and independence, while employers experienced stronger teams and greater cohesion. The early evidence suggests that the models being trialled could be scaled to create lasting, sustainable pathways into open employment across Western Australia.

Collaboration is key

This work has only been possible thanks to collaboration. We acknowledge the Paul Ramsay Foundation and an anonymous funder for supporting the project, and thank our research partners — the Social Policy Research Centre (UNSW Sydney), the Centre for Social Impact (UWA), and Valued Lives — for their contribution in capturing insights and learnings.

Together, we are shaping new opportunities for people with disability.