A Recipe for Inclusion: Autistic Jobseekers Thrive in WA’s Hospitality Industry
"When I found out I get to work at such a fancy place like The Westin I could barely contain myself"- Hope, employee
Over the last four years, the Autism Association of WA’s AIM Employment program has been working alongside Hospitality Disability Network (HDN) to help Autistic jobseekers find suitable employment within WA’s tourism and hospitality industry.
Some of Perth’s largest and most recognised organisations, including Optus Stadium, RAC Arena, Marriot International, and The Westin have welcomed Autistic employees to their teams.
Once such person who recently landed her dream job is Hope, who now works as a Houseperson at The Westin. Hope made a standout impression from the very first interview. She arrived well-prepared, answered questions thoroughly, and presented herself professionally, immediately setting her apart from the other candidates.
“When I found out I get to work at such a fancy place like The Westin I could barely contain myself”, said Hope about her new job.
As one of Australia’s leading specialist Autism providers, the Autism Association has been providing Autism specialist employment services in Perth for more than 25 years. As the only Autism-specialist Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) provider in Australia, our AIM Employment program is a specialist employment service that focuses on supporting Autistic individuals to secure and maintain open employment.
Russell Thomas, Executive Manager – Employment Services, at the Association, said: “Overlooking Autistic talent is a missed opportunity for both employers and employees.
“People with Autism often have abilities and strengths well-suited to the workplace, bringing valuable skills like reliability, attention to detail and out the box problem-solving.
“We have collaborated with HDN for over four years, and we’re delighted to have just placed our 43rd person into employment – accounting for 12% of the total number of individuals employed by HDN in various hospitality roles including Front of House, kitchen support, and everything in between.”
HDN works together with 200 inclusive businesses within Western Australia and recently, celebrated the 400th candidate placed into sustainable employment within the Tourism and Hospitality industry.
Speaking about working with the Association’s AIM Employment team, Kirra Donnelly, Inclusive Employment Project Coordinator at HDN, said: “This collaboration has been incredibly positive. Working together allows us to connect skilled candidates with employers who value inclusion. The combination of the Autism Association’s candidate expertise and HDNWA’s industry connections creates meaningful, lasting employment opportunities that benefit both candidates and employers.”
Kirra continued: “I believe it’s really valuable to have disability-specific employment providers because they are experts in their field. They understand the unique needs and strengths of the individuals they support and can provide tailored guidance and on-the-job support.
“The staff have extensive knowledge of their candidates and a deep understanding of Autism. Their on-the-job support and post-placement follow-up make a real difference to us and our members, which can have a huge impact in achieving successful and sustainable employment outcomes.”
Senior Autism Employment Consultant, Gail O’Dwyer, added: “My favourite part of this job is getting to say, ‘You got the role.’ In that moment, you can see everything land — the joy, the relief, the sense that things are about to open up. And it’s never only about the job itself. It’s about what it unlocks: confidence, stability, and the feeling that a new chapter is finally beginning.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to work alongside HDN over the past four years and witness the meaningful impact they continue to make in such a short time.
“They’ve opened real, lasting pathways into hospitality for Autistic jobseekers, helping to reshape an industry that hasn’t always been accessible. What stands out most is the genuine care shown at every stage — from pre-screens to interviews to those important first days on the job — ensuring each person feels confident, supported, and valued.