Paralympics Australia Expands Beyond Sport Program To Unlock More Employment Opportunities

Paralympics Australia is calling on more Australian employers to tap into an exceptional talent pool as it expands its internationally recognised Beyond Sport Mentoring and Employment Program. 

Acknowledged by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as global best practice, the program is entering its next phase of growth after delivering more than employment opportunities for Para athletes nationally and achieving outstanding employer satisfaction ratings. 

Beyond Sport Mentoring and Employment Program supports Para athletes and people with disability through mentoring, career development and meaningful employment pathways, while helping employers build stronger, more diverse and inclusive workforces. 

Over the past 12 months, Paralympics Australia has expanded flexible employment opportunities for Para athletes and people with disability, strengthened partnerships with career transition and wellbeing services, enhanced participant profiling to better match candidates with employers, and delivered mentoring, training and entrepreneurship initiatives that are helping participants build confidence and long-term careers.  

Beyond Sport now directly employs six Paralympians and Para athletes to deliver the program and regularly employs an average of 10 Paralympians and Para athletes a month, around training and competition commitments for flexible project work, including speaking, co-design, universal design, mentoring, training and facilitation. The program hasa strong sustainability plan, positioning it for continued national growth. 

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer Cameron Murray said the program was changing perceptions about disability employment while creating tangible outcomes for both participants and employers. 

“The Beyond Sport Mentoring and Employment Program is about recognising talent, not limitations. Every day, Paralympians and people with disability demonstrate resilience, adaptability, leadership and problem-solving skills that employers are actively seeking.” Murray said. 

“We’re proud of what the program has achieved, but we’re only just getting started. As we expand Beyond Sport, we want more employers to discover the benefits of building diverse teams and creating workplaces where people with disability can thrive.” 

Murray said the program reflected Paralympics Australia’s commitment to supporting athletes beyond the sporting arena. 

“A sporting career is only one chapter in a Paralympian’s life. Through Beyond Sport, we’re helping athletes prepare for successful careers during and after competition, while creating stronger connections between the Paralympic Movement, Australian workplaces, and the broader community.” 

Beyond Sport Program Manager Sarah Stewart PLY said its success had been built on genuine co-design with people with disability and strong partnerships with employers willing to rethink traditional recruitment approaches. 

“We’ve seen first-hand the impact meaningful employment has on confidence, independence and wellbeing. At the same time, employers consistently tell us they’re gaining committed, innovative employees who bring unique perspectives and lived experience to their organisations. Through our Beyond Sport program, and in particular our community of practice sessions, employers are gaining great benefit from sharing their experiences and finding solutions together, with the added benefit of lived experience expertise” Stewart said. 

“With strong foundations now in place, we’re looking to work with even more employers across Australia who want to join our community of practice, access an exceptional talent pool and help create a more inclusive workforce, and ultimately a more inclusive society.” 

For more information on the Beyond Sport Mentoring and Employment Program, visit:

• Building Employer Confidence Website Page
• Paralympics Australia’s Beyond Sport Mentoring and Employment Program Enquiry

For more information, please contact:

Tim Mannion 
General Manager, Communications 
Paralympics Australia 
M: +61 417 065 409 
E: [email protected]