• Transition of Activ Foundation's worksites to Workpower now complete
• Transfer delivers certainty and ongoing job opportunities for around 600 supported employees with disability across Western Australia
• State Government is committed to ensuring supported employees can continue to work and thrive

A new employment future for hundreds of Western Australians with disability officially begins today, with Workpower's acquisition of Activ Foundation's large-scale worksites now complete.

Disability Services Minister Don Punch visited the worksite in Bentley today to declare the transfer to Workpower is now complete and fully operational.

The transition delivers employment security for around 600 former employees of Activ Foundation, who faced losing their jobs last year when the organisation announced its intention to close its industrial worksites in WA. The closures were to commence from mid-July 2022.

In response, the State Government provided financial assistance of $4 million to support WA-based Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) transition Activ's supported employees into new placements.

The Commonwealth Government also committed $7.85 million worth of transitional grant funding to keep Activ Foundation's worksites operational for a further 18 months to better support the transition of employees into new placements.

A Transition Taskforce, comprising representatives from both Governments, the Activ Action Team, the National Disability Insurance Agency, ADEs and National Disability Services, oversaw the transition.

In March, it was announced that Workpower would acquire Activ Foundation's worksites, delivering job certainty to those employees and their families.

Comments attributed to Disability Services Minister Don Punch:

"This is a great win for people with disability, and their families.

"The Cook Labor Government has been committed to ensuring people with disability employed by Activ can continue to work and thrive.

"By working collaboratively with Activ, Workpower and the Commonwealth, we have secured an outcome that delivers certainty and job security to these employees.

"We recognise that this has been an uncertain time for all involved and this outcome will provide people with certainty and enable them to move forward."

Comments attributed to Workpower CEO Lee Broomhall:

"The transition process has been smooth, thanks to the cooperation and goodwill of everyone involved. We thank local, State, and Federal Governments for supporting us throughout the transition.

"We also thank the wonderful group of businesses, suppliers, and our new landlords for their valuable support.

"Workpower has operated successful and sustainable social enterprises in WA for over 30 years.

"We look forward to bringing our experience to new locations and industries across Western Australia, and we call upon the WA business community to contact us to discuss opportunities to help us build sustainable employment for our employees." 

Comments attributed to Activ CEO Michael Heath:

"Activ is grateful to our dedicated staff who worked incredibly hard alongside a number of State and Federal Government departments, families, carers, and advocacy groups to gain the best result for our supported employees and staff.

"We could not be happier that all of those people impacted were able to continue their employment under Workpower's management. We are equally grateful to Workpower for their hard work and commitment in making this outcome possible.

"We would specifically like to thank Minister Don Punch, and Federal Ministers Amanda Rishworthand Bill Shorten for their vital support and contribution throughout the transition process and for their ongoing support of Activ and Western Australians living with disability.

"We are grateful to be in a position now where we can concentrate on the continued growth and sustainability of our core services and supports. These include accommodation, property care, community, education and training services and small scale supported employment."