We are a registered NDIS provider who helps neurodivergent people find and keep meaningful work

A person wearing a red shirt and black watch smiling with arms raised upward outdoors at sunset.

We work closely with participants, families, Employers and Support Coordinators to deliver practical, employment-focused support, offering in-person employment services in Port Macquarie and online employment support across Australia.

We offer support with: Finding and Keeping a Job, SLES (School Leaver Employment Support), Employment and Training Opportunities

Some of the outcomes that we’ve been able to help participants achieve…

  • Young man smiling, wearing a black cap with green and red accents and the words 'Hungry Jack's', in a fast-food restaurant.

    "T" aspired to work in the delivery and hospitality sector. Through our support, they secured direct employment with a major food supplier, enabling them to handle food delivery and assist in food preparation.

  • A young girl wearing a blue apron standing in a store aisle labeled 'Glue & Scrapbooking'. She is smiling with hands behind her back, surrounded by various art supplies, scrapbooking materials, and yellow raincoats.

    "J" had a specific interest in retail, particularly in fabrics and textiles. We found them a role with a major retailer that aligned perfectly with their aspirations.

  • Smiling young girl working at Coles grocery store counter, talking to a customer.

    "B" was looking for a role in the retail sector that provided both flexibility and security. We helped them secure a permanent part-time role, where they are now thriving and advancing in their career.

  • Woman organizing folded clothes in a closet near a window

    "J" wanted to work in the cleaning industry in a role that offered flexibility, a supportive team environment, and proximity to home. We secured them an after-hours position within walking distance of their home, working for an excellent company.

  • Smiling woman wearing glasses and a headset working at a computer in an office filled with multiple computer monitors and other employees.

    "C" sought their first job, prioritizing flexibility and an understanding employer. We sourced and secured a permanent part-time position with a major retailer that perfectly matched their needs.

  • A person in a Domino's Pizza uniform talking on a landline phone inside a store, with pizza boxes and supplies in the background.

    "T" aimed to start their career in hospitality. With our guidance, they successfully obtained a direct employment role with a leading food retailer.

Brightside can assist with:

Interviews that feel possible - Walk into interviews feeling ready.

Tailored support - Employment support suited to each individuals strengths.

Jobs that last - Because we understand that environment and expectations matter.

Who is this employment support for?

This employment service is designed for:

  1. NDIS Participants who are seeking employment

  2. Neurodivergent NDIS participants who want to work but struggle with employment transitions, workplace demands, or sustaining roles over time

  3. Participants who require structure, routine, and supported pacing to build confidence and stability in employment

  4. School leavers or jobseekers who need supported, real-world employment pathways rather than rapid or unsupported placement

  5. Participants with a history of job loss, burnout, or disengagement who need stability before re-entering the workforce

Our employment support progresses through 4 key phases:

A group of men sitting in a row, smiling and engaging in conversation, in an indoor setting.

Phase 1 - Foundation & Stability

This phase focuses on creating safety, predictability, and engagement.

We take time to understand the participant’s strengths, stressors, communication style, and previous employment experiences. Support is used to establish routine, regulation, and clear expectations around participation.

The priority at this stage is building trust and stability so the participant can engage consistently without becoming overwhelmed.

A young woman with curly hair smiling outdoors during sunset, wearing a yellow jacket and carrying a backpack.

Phase 2 - Skill & Confidence Building

Once stability is established, support shifts toward developing employment-relevant skills and confidence in real context.

This may include communication, task management, emotional regulation, workplace expectations, and responsibility. Skills are developed gradually and in ways that reflect real employment environments, not simulated tasks.

The aim is consistency and confidence, not performance under pressure.

A young woman with long dark hair smiling while holding a cardboard box of groceries inside a store near fresh produce shelves.

Phase 3 - Supported Employment Exposure

In this phase, participants are introduced to real-world employment or workplace environments with appropriate support in place.

Exposure is paced and adjusted to reduce risk while increasing tolerance, confidence, and independence. Support may be on-site or near-site, depending on need.

Reflection and iteration are built in so challenges inform adjustments rather than setbacks becoming points of disengagement.

A young man sitting at a desk in an office, looking at papers and using a calculator.

Phase 4 - Transition & Sustainability

Support is reduced once the participant demonstrates consistent stability, confidence, and capability. Rather than abrupt withdrawal, support transitions to structured check-ins, contingency planning, and risk management.

This phase focuses on maintaining employment, managing change, and ensuring independence is sustainable rather than fragile. Ongoing support remains available if circumstances change, recognising that long-term success is not linear.

Meet Matt - Specialist Employment Consultant

Matt Doeland was raised in Port Macquarie, his strong connection to the area continues to shape his commitment to delivering meaningful, locally grounded employment and education outcomes.

Matt is a qualified Counsellor, Trainer and Assessor, and Postgraduate Educator specialising in neuro-divergent education and training. With extensive experience supporting neuro-divergent individuals, Matt is dedicated to equipping people with the skills, confidence, and structured support they need to succeed in employment and life transitions.

In 2017, Matt founded Brightside Support Services with a clear vision: to create a service where people are supported as individuals, not programs, and where growth is built through stability, understanding, and practical support. His leadership continues to guide Brightside’s specialist, person-centred approach to employment support under the NDIS.

Outside of his professional work, Matt is an accomplished musician, a devoted husband to Leah, and a proud father of three. He brings the same values of balance, care, and long-term thinking into both his family life and his work within the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our employment supports are designed for neuro-divergent individuals seeking help to find or sustain meaningful employment. We work with NDIS participants, school leavers, parents and carers, as well as support coordinators looking for specialist, neuro-affirming employment services focused on long-term outcomes.

  • We focus on sustainable employment, not just job placement. Our approach prioritises structure, confidence, routine, and workplace fit, with support paced to reduce burnout and disengagement. Support is adjusted based on readiness and stability, not arbitrary timeframes.

  • We are based at Specialist Suites, 8/111 William Street, Port Macquarie.
    We offer in-person employment supports locally, as well as online employment supports across Australia via Zoom. We recognise that we live in a digital age and provide flexible support options to suit individual needs and locations.

  • Yes. We provide online employment supports via Zoom for participants across Australia. Online support can include employment planning, confidence and skill development, interview preparation, and ongoing mentoring, delivered in a way that remains structured, supportive, and accessible.

  • Yes. Brightside Support Services is a registered NDIS provider.
    Provider Number: 4050020569

    Our specialist employment supports can be funded through relevant NDIS categories, including:

    • Capacity Building - Finding and Keeping a Job
      Support to prepare for, find, and sustain employment, including confidence building, workplace readiness, and ongoing employment support.

    • Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living (Skills Development)
      Support to build routines, communication, emotional regulation, and functional skills that directly impact employment readiness and sustainability.

  • Yes. While our primary focus is NDIS-funded employment supports, we also support privately funded participants to gain and maintain employment.

What are the steps to working with Brightside?

Yellow circle icon with a white phone receiver symbol.

1. Employment Strategy Call

The first step is a free, no-pressure conversation with Matt to understand the participant’s goals, strengths, challenges, and previous employment experiences.

This call helps identify risk points, clarify suitable employment pathways, and determine whether Brightside’s specialist approach is the right fit.

Icon of a checklist with three checkboxes and a pen, on a yellow background.

2. Individualised Employment Plan

If we’re a good fit, Matt works collaboratively with the participant, family, and support coordinator to develop an individualised employment plan.

This plan aligns with NDIS goals and focuses on building stability, confidence, and readiness for sustainable employment rather than rushing outcomes.

Icon of two hands shaking, representing agreement or partnership

3. Supported Employment & Transition

Matt provides ongoing, structured employment support that is adjusted as the participant builds confidence and capability.

Support is reduced gradually based on demonstrated stability, with a focus on long-term employment success and the ability to navigate change safely.

Contact Matt

Interested in working together? Fill out this contact form and Matt will be in touch shortly, alternatively call his mobile number: 0412 239 585 can’t wait to hear from you!

Professional Member Associations

AACBT (Australian Association Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), ACA (Australian Counselling Association), ACWA (Australian Community Welfare Workers Association), AND (Australian Network on Disability), ASPECT (Autism Spectrum Australia), IAC (International Association for Counselling), PWDA (People with Disability Australia), APRA (Aust. Performing Arts Association - full writer member)

Logos for Brightside Support Services, NDIS Official Provider, and IQIP Verified

Provider Number - 4050020569