Login
Disability Enterprises
Disability Enterprise services help businesses employ disabled people and people with health conditions. The services help people find employment in a safe and supportive segregated setting.
Who can get it
This service help pay for the additional costs of support and supervision of disabled employees.
The availability of these services is limited. You'll need to contact your local Disability Enterprise service, and check if they have a funded spot available. They may also check your eligibility with MSD.
You can qualify for employment with a Disability Enterprise provider if you:
- are currently living in New Zealand
- are a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident, or hold an appropriate open work permit, or are recognised as a refugee or protected person
- have a disability or health condition that is likely to continue for a minimum of 6 months, which makes it hard for you to find or keep a job
- need support to address find or keep a job, and or need support in addition to any support you already get from the Ministry of Social Development's mainstream services
- you've left school.
Most Disability Enterprise use the Minimum Wage Exemption Permit scheme. This allows them to pay their employees less than minimum wage. This scheme is administered by MBIE. Further information can be found here:
Disability Enterprises were previously known as Business Enterprises.
What can you get
Disability Enterprise service providers can help you to:
- participate in activities, services and facilities that are part of the daily lives of New Zealanders
- develop skills for daily living and participating in the community
- make a contribution to the community through voluntary work
- achieve valued roles such as student, teammate, teacher, parent, spokesperson
- participate in your culture
- take part in work experience and/or work related skills training
- identify appropriate employment opportunities
- get and maintain paid employment or self-employment
- maintain and extend friendships and social and support networks.
How to apply
You need to contact a Disability Enterprise provider and check if they have a spot available.
Contact details for Disability Enterprise Providers
|
Provider |
Website |
Region |
|---|---|---|
|
Abilities Incorporated |
Auckland |
|
|
Atawhai Industries Trust |
Taranaki |
|
|
AttainAble Trust |
Auckland |
|
|
Cambridge Disability Enterprises Incorporated |
Waikato |
|
|
Disabled Citizens' Society (Otago) Incorporated |
Southern |
|
|
Greenways Trust |
Northland |
|
|
Kilmarnock Enterprises Limited |
Canterbury |
|
|
Matea Trust |
Auckland |
|
|
Second Chance Enterprises Incorporated |
Wellington |
|
|
Southland Disability Enterprises Limited |
Southern |
|
|
The Disabled Citizen's Society Incorporated |
Auckland |
|
|
The South Waikato Achievement Trust |
Bay of Plenty |
|
|
will&able |
Auckland |
|
|
Whanganui Enterprises Trust |
Central |
Further information about the Disability Enterprise Sector can be found here: Aotearoa Disability Enterprises (ade.org.nz)
Redesign of Disability Employment Support Products
The Ministry of Social Development funds a range of specialist services called Disability Employment Support products. These are services that help address the barriers disabled people can face when looking for work or keeping their jobs. Over the next 18 months from February 2026, we will take a fresh look at these services and improve how they work together. This will give disabled people a more joined-up and supportive experience into work and while they're working.