FAQs

Find answers to common questions about The Bridge, our services and how to get started.

We provide a range of community, employment and home supports for people with a disability, tailored to your individual goals and needs.

Our supports are available to people with disability across different life stages, from school leavers (aged 16 yrs+) to older adults, including those with NDIS funding.

Getting started is easy, simply contact our team at enquiries@thebridgeinc.org.au or fill our intake form and our friendly team will guide you through your options and next steps.

We deliver services across Melbourne’s south-east and north-east suburbs, supporting people at home, in the community, and at our service centres.

Our community services are for people with disability who want support to live more independently, build skills, stay connected, and enjoy life in their community. We tailor supports around what matters most to you, your goals, interests, and pace.

Most of our services are funded through the NDIS. If you are unsure whether your plan covers a service, our team can help you understand your funding or connect you with Support Coordination to explore your options.

That’s okay. Many NDIS plans are flexible. If your goals align with building independence, community participation, or wellbeing, you may still be able to use your funding. Our team or a Support Coordinator can help you understand your plan.

Yes. Everything we do is person-centered. We work with you to understand your goals, whether that is building daily living skills, making friends, staying active, travelling, or living more independently and tailoring those supports around what works best for you.

Yes. Families and carers are welcome to be involved in planning, goal setting, and communication as much or as little as the participant chooses. We value collaborative support.

Absolutely! Many people use a mix of services. For example, Day Programs alongside In Home and Community Support, or Support Coordination while living in one of our Independent Living Homes.

We focus on supporting and advocating for those we provide services for. We are all about choice, and genuine connections. Our services are shaped around you and we’re not a one-size-fits-all model. We prioritise respect, consistency, and meaningful outcomes that support independence and belonging.

Getting started is easy, simply contact our team at enquiries@thebridgeinc.org.au or fill out our intake form and our friendly team will guide you through your options and next steps.

Most of our Individual Support services, including In Home and Community Support, Supported Independent Living, and Specialist Disability Accommodation, are funded through the NDIS. If you’re unsure about your plan, our team can help you review your funding or connect you with Support Coordination to explore your options.

That’s not a problem. Many NDIS plans are flexible. If your goals involve building independence, improving daily living skills, or finding suitable accommodation, you may be able to use your funding. Our team or a Support Coordinator can help you interpret your plan and identify options.

Our Individual Support services are designed for people with disability who seek personalised, one-on-one support at home or in the community, as well as those looking for independent or specialised accommodation. We focus on your unique needs, goals, and preferences, ensuring every support is tailored to fit your lifestyle.

Absolutely. Our approach is person-centered, meaning we work with you to understand your goals. Whether it’s learning new skills, staying active, accessing the community, or living independently we can help shape supports that fit your life.

Yes. Families and carers are welcome to be involved in planning, goal setting, and communication as much or as little as the participant chooses. We value collaborative support.

Absolutely! Many people use a mix of services. For example, Day Programs alongside In Home and Community Support, or Support Coordination while living in one of our Independent Living Homes.

Definitely! Many people choose to combine services such as In Home and Community Support with Supported Independent Living or Specialist Disability Accommodation, depending on their needs and goals.

Email us at enquiries@thebridgeinc.org.au or fill out our intake form. Our friendly team will guide you through your options and next steps.

Our employment services are for people with different abilities who want to build skills, gain work experience, and find meaningful employment. Whether you’re preparing for your first job, returning to work, or looking to grow your confidence and independence, we tailor supports around your goals, strengths and interests.

Many of our employment supports can be funded through the NDIS. If you’re unsure whether your plan covers employment-related supports, our team can help you understand your funding or connect you with Support Coordination to explore your options.  
 
If you are looking to access Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) or Casey CALD Youth Project, these are separate employment programs and not a NDIS-funded support.  

That’s okay, NDIS plans are often flexible. If your goals include building independence, developing job skills, or finding employment, your existing funding may still be used. Our Support Coordination team, or your current Support Coordinator, can help you understand your plan and identify suitable pathways.

  • Job Skills Building (Your Job Now) focuses on preparing you for work through training, work experience, and 1:1 coaching.
  • Supported Employment offers all-abilities employment opportunities within our warehouses and enterprise operations, with ongoing workplace support.
  • Open Employment supports you to find and maintain a job in the broader community, matched to your interests and goals through the Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) and Casey CALD Youth Employment Project programs.

We help you choose the pathway that’s right for you.

Everything we do is person-centred. We work with you to understand your strengths, interests and career goals, then work with you to access the right supports that build your confidence, skills and long-term success.

We focus on ability, opportunity and real-world outcomes. Our employment pathways are practical, supportive and tailored to you – not a one-size-fits-all model. We prioritise skill development, confidence building and meaningful employment that creates long-term impact through many holistic services.

Yes. Families and carers are welcome to be involved in planning, goal setting and communication, as much or as little as the participant chooses. We value collaborative support and clear communication.

Absolutely. Many people access a combination of services at the same time. For example, you might participate in Job Skills Building while working toward Open Employment or combine our Employment Services with other supports across The Bridge.

Getting started is easy. Simply contact our team at enquiries@thebridgeinc.org.au or complete our intake form, and our friendly team will guide you through your options and next steps.

The Bridge Works is the social enterprise arm of The Bridge. We partner with businesses to deliver high-quality commercial services while creating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability. Our model combines strong operational performance with measurable social impact.

We work with companies of all sizes across a range of industries. Whether you’re a small local business or a large organisation, we can tailor solutions to suit your operational needs while aligning with your social responsibility goals.

Our enterprise operations include a range of production, packaging, assembly and commercial support services. We work closely with partners to understand their requirements and deliver reliable, efficient and quality-driven outcomes.

A blended workforce brings together supported employees with disability and experienced supervisors and industry professionals. This structure ensures quality control, productivity and strong commercial results, while fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.

Partnering with The Bridge Works allows your organisation to strengthen supply chain resilience, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and contribute to inclusive employment. You’ll receive dependable service while directly contributing to positive social impact.

Yes. Our facilities are structured to manage both small and large-scale projects, including ongoing production runs. We pride ourselves on consistency, efficiency and meeting agreed timelines.

Our operations are supported by experienced team leaders and clear quality assurance processes. We work closely with partners to meet specifications, timelines and performance expectations.

Absolutely. As a recognised social enterprise and disability workplace, partnering with us contributes to measurable social outcomes, inclusive employment and sustainable business practices — supporting your ESG and CSR commitments.

Getting started is simple. Contact our team at socialenterprise@thebridgeinc.org.au to discuss your business needs, and we’ll arrange a conversation or site visit to explore how The Bridge Works can support your operations while delivering meaningful social impact.

You can start by filling out our Intake Form or contacting our Intake and Engagement team. We’ll guide you through the process and help you understand how your NDIS plan and The Bridge can support you to achieve your goals.

We work with plans that are self-managed, plan-managed, and NDIA-managed.  

Our supports are funded under the following: Core which includes Assistance with Daily Life (inclusive of Supported Independent Living), Specialised Disability Accommodation, Social, Economic and Community Participation (including Supported Employment) and Capacity Building (including Support Coordination, SLES and Improved Daily Living). 

Yes, our Support Coordination team can assist you in understanding your plan, connect with providers, and prepare for plan reviews.

The Bridge complies with the Privacy Act 1988 and follows strict safeguarding policies to ensure your personal information is protected. For full details on how your information is collected, used and stored, please refer to The Bridge’s Privacy Policy. 

The Bridge is committed to upholding the human rights of all people with disability. This means  

  • Respecting each person’s right to make choices about their own life  
  • Promoting dignity, equality and inclusion 
  • Supporting freedom of expression, privacy, and participation in community life 
  • Embedding values of empowerment, respect, and inclusion across its programs  
  • Creating safe, respectful environments free from abuse, neglect, and discrimination where people feel heard and respected 

Ensuring all supports and services align with the NDIS Practice Standards

We offer interpreting services and use a variety of communication tools to support your access to our services.

The Bridge welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds. We are committed to cultural safety, LGBTQI+ inclusion, and recognising the individual needs of everyone we support.

A career at The Bridge means making a genuine difference in people’s lives. We offer roles across community services, employment services, social enterprise, and corporate support functions. Whether you’re starting out, changing careers, or bringing years of experience, we’re committed to providing meaningful work, professional development, and a supportive, inclusive workplace.

Yes. We offer student placement opportunities across a range of service areas, including disability support, employment services, community programs, and business operations.

We welcome students completing Certificate 3 or 4 in Individual Supports/Disability, Diploma of Community Services (with relevant lived experience, or qualifications in Disability); Bachelors, Honours and Master’s students in Allied/Public Health, Social Work, Business, Marketing and more. Please note, all placements are dependent on capacity, scope of placement, and project availability.

You can provide feedback to staff at any time or use the feedback form on our contact page. All feedback is confidential and helps us improve.  

If an incident occurs, our staff will ensure your safety. Respond immediately, and follow reporting procedures in line with NDIS requirements.

A career at The Bridge means making a genuine difference in people’s lives. We offer roles across community services, employment services, social enterprise, and corporate support functions. Whether you’re starting out, changing careers, or bringing years of experience, we’re committed to providing meaningful work, professional development, and a supportive, inclusive workplace.

Roles vary across our organisation and may include support workers, employment consultants, service coordinators, team leaders, training support officers, warehouse and logistics roles, administration, and specialist corporate positions. Opportunities are regularly updated on our website.

You can make a donation directly through our website. Your support helps us create inclusive opportunities, enhance programs, and respond to emerging community needs.

Donations help strengthen programs that support independence, employment pathways, skill development, and community connection. Every contribution, big or small, helps create positive social impact. Donations to The Bridge are tax deductible. A receipt will be provided after your donation.

Yes. Volunteers play a valuable role in supporting programs, events, and initiatives across The Bridge. Volunteering is a great way to contribute skills, gain experience, and support inclusion in your community.

Opportunities are varied and may include supporting group activities, like cooking, swimming, gym, gardening or arts & crafts. Opportunities may also focus on events, community engagement and skill building programs. Roles vary depending on current programs and availability.

Yes. We offer student placement opportunities across a range of service areas, including disability support, employment services, community programs, and business operations.

We welcome students completing Certificate 3 or 4 in Individual Supports/Disability, Diploma of Community Services (with relevant lived experience, or qualifications in Disability); Bachelors, Honours and Master’s students in Allied/Public Health, Social Work, Business, Marketing and more. Please note, all placements are dependent on capacity, scope of placement, and project availability.

Businesses can partner with The Bridge by engaging our social enterprise services or collaborating on inclusive employment and supply‑chain opportunities. Partnerships deliver commercial value while creating positive social impact.

As a certified social enterprise, partnering with The Bridge allows your business to meet service needs while supporting meaningful employment and inclusion for people with disability and disadvantage.