Stories of frustration about efforts to find work dominated today's hearing on the pathways and barriers to open employment.

A witness yesterday spoke of the barrier to work that can arise from receiving the Disability Support Pension (DSP) because they don't have an assessed capacity to work for at least 8 hours per week, and therefore don’t have an automatic pathway to employment support. This theme was echoed today by a man who lived with schizophrenia. He wants part-time work but his efforts over 25 years have not resulted in a lasting job. He is not connected with an employment service and is not eligible for the NDIS. His son, who also lives with schizophrenia, is an NDIS participant and is receiving assistance to look for work.