Our History

Established in 1991 to implement the objectives the Disability Services Act 1986, Interwork was a bold experiment on all levels. The founding that people with a disability could be employed within mainstream business, on equal terms with other workers offered them an opportunity to make a positive contribution to community productivity and growth. Interwork was considered innovative as it aimed to work with all types of disability in an era of highly specialised service delivery based upon disability type.

The organisation now known as Business SA represented employers and the United Trades and Labor Council (UTLC), represented workers. The project received State and Federal government support and representation on its Management Committee.

Interwork underwent considerable growth in 2001 to encompass one metropolitan office and extend its programs and services to five regional offices in the South East, Riverland, Eyre, Barossa and Yorke Peninsula.

Also in 2001, Interwork opened two short-term but highly successful specialist service outlets, providing employment for clients including Prime Time, a specialist youth service and Gazebo Café at Glandore Community Centre.

In 2005, funded programs were transferred from the Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

A second growth period followed, with the company expanding its state presence from five to 18 offices across South Australia.

In September 2009, Interwork merged with UK-based Shaw Trust. Shaw Trust is the UK’s largest not-for-profit provider of employment services to disabled and disadvantaged people. This partnership allows for the alignment of two successful organisations to join forces, from across the world, to more effectively support the needs of the disadvantage in employment.

Interwork and Shaw Trust share the same vision and values and their combined experience will support the needs of disadvantaged jobseekers and workers. Our goal is to reach more employers to provide opportunities for people with a disability and others who experience disadvantage in entering the general employment market.

Our founding organisations had a profound impact on Interwork’s culture of community contribution through employment, shaping it with their commercial acumen and intimate knowledge of workplace culture and practices.

Interwork continues to grow through strong leadership, highly engaged employees and productive performance. Our employees, our business and community partnerships and our valued contracts are a key component to the success of our organisational strategy.