CEO John Burn Discusses Demand-Side Change at Disability Employment Australia Conference.

DEInvestments CEO John Burn presented at the Disability Employment Australia Conference 2026, on the role of demand-side change in improving employment outcomes for people with disability.

With 1.7 million working-age Australians with disability experiencing a work limitation and around 923,000 not currently engaged in work, John challenged delegates to consider what it would take for 100,000 more people with disability to be working over the next decade.

His presentation explored the need to shift from a system that primarily "pushes" job seekers towards available roles, to one that better enables employers to "pull" the workforce they need. The focus was on strengthening employer demand, improving workforce planning, and creating the conditions for sustainable, award-aligned employment growth.

John also joined the conference panel Future Developments on the Demand Side, alongside Amanda Belz (McDonald's Australia), Suzanne Colbert and Alastair McEwin (Centre for Inclusive Employment), Don Intine (Programmed), and Amy Whalley (Australian Disability Network). The discussion explored emerging developments in employer engagement, procurement, incentives and organisational capability, and how these can help shift employer behaviour in meaningful and sustainable ways.

As Australia continues to face workforce and skills shortages, unlocking the potential of people with disability represents one of the nation's largest workforce opportunities. DEInvestments remains focused on advancing practical, system-level solutions that strengthen employer demand and create employment opportunities at scale.