Employment and Independence Program

What makes the Hotel Etico Employment and Independent Program different is that it is more than training. It combines independent living, real work with award wage payments, skills development and a clear pathway to open employment for young adults aged 18 to 35 with disability or additional support needs. 

The Hotel Etico Employment and Independence Program supports young adults aged 18 to 35 with a disability and additional support needs who are ready to build confidence, independence and work skills in a supportive environment.  

Many of the young people who have graduated from, or are currently participating in our training program, have an intellectual disability or are neurodiverse, have autism, ADHD or Down Syndrome, but we are open to applications from individuals with other support needs. Each candidate is treated as an individual and our application process is designed to determine how each candidate can be best supported within our program.  

Our program operates at two campuses embedded in working hotels. One at the Comfort Resort Leura Gardens, NSW and the other at Mercure Canberra, ACT. The Hotel Etico Employment and Independence Program has a rolling intake so families do not need to wait for one specific time of year to begin the process.

We help families understand the practical steps to begin our program, including pathways to NDIS funding or self funding.  Where possible, our program is personalised to each trainee and we provide tailored advice and flexibility when needed to suit applicant’s needs and funding levels. 

Our residential program costs approximately $85,000. Costs can vary depending on the support needs of each trainee.

Applicants participate in a sleepover and work trial before receiving a formal offer. We also conduct a thorough risk assessment during the application process. These steps allow us to determine supports additional to our standard offering and estimate costs.  

We would love the opportunity to answer any questions about self-funding.

Please submit an Expression of Interest of Application and our team will be in touch.

Our application progress is a simple online form to allow Hotel Etico to gain a better understanding of the applicants’ independence goals and support needs.

The online form requests the following information:  

• NDIS Number (if applicants intend to use NDIS funding for the program).  
• NDIS Plan’s Start and End Date  
• Interests.  
• Current skillset.  
• Work goals.  
• Independence and life goals.  
• Ratio requirement for support workers.  
• Personal care and support needs.   

After this form is completed, trainees are encouraged to visit us at one of our two sites, participate in an interview, and may be invited to participate in a sleepover and work trial. We recommend applicants who intend to use NDIS funding apply or receive a funding review as soon as they are accepted into the program. We can provided tailored advice and are able to provide guidance for funding pathways. 

Before taking this step, we encourage applicants to attend an information session at one of our two sites and speak to our staff and current trainees. Details of our upcoming information sessions can be found here.

The program combines supported independent living, hands-on paid work, training and employment support. Young people with a disability and other support needs are employed, paid full award wages and participate in the day-to-day operation of various departments of a working hotel. Trainees stay in an en-suite room during their rostered days and practise everyday life skills in a shared living environment. Where possible, trainees have their own room during their rostered days, with private bathroom facilities, and shared spaces including a kitchen, dining room and lounge. Trainees may also share a bedroom and bathroom with another young person.

Independence is built through real routines including shopping, laundry, cleaning, downtime and shared meals, while also taking part in work shifts and specialist training. Trainees often organise social activitiees, such as movie nights or dinners at nearby restaurants.   

Trainees follow a rotating weekly roster that currently includes either two days and one night or three days and two nights. This varies depending on locations and individual circumstances. During a working day, shifts are generally 4 hours each.  

Our program continues into the second year (length may vary depending on funding and individual circumstances) through our Industry Employment Program, supporting our graduates in securing employment in the tourism and hospitality industry or other relevant employment.

To learn more about our program click here.

Young people who join the Hotel Etico Employment and Independence Program build confidence, independence and social skills through real routines, real responsibility and real work experience, while building relationships with other trainees.

This is about participation and developing the skills needed for work and everyday life. Trainees gain confidence through hands-on hospitality experience in areas including food and beverage, housekeeping, reception/concierge and back of house/ kitchen.

Exposure to the different departments of a hotel and on the job training from our hospitality staff helps trainees build practical and transferable skills and improve their social and customer service skills. Alongside hospitality training, trainees practise independent living skills such as laundry, cleaning, shopping and everyday routines using structured, visual step-by-steps and support alongside them when needed. Training is delivered both formally and informally.

Support is available throughout the hotels and at the Academy of Independence. We employ disability support workers at the Academy who are available at a ratio of 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 during waking hours, with one or more disability support workers sleeping over depending on need.

Trainees have more support in the first three months of the program and this may reduced as they become more independent and confident.  Every member of staff undergoes an extensive induction program and is supported by a team of professionals. Staff are carefully selected based on hospitality and disability experience as well as alignment with our mission and values.  

Our support workers help trainees with their responsibilities such as cleaning their rooms before leaving at the end of each rotation, participating in shared chores and planning social activities as a group. No tasks are completed for the trainees, but our support workers’ presence facilitates the trainees’ wellbeing and success. As part of our independent living program, trainees receive practical training and support from our support workers each week to ensure trainees meet their independence goals.   

All staff are required to have a Working with Children Check and Criminal Record check, and receive NDIS-specific training.

Hotel Etico’s Academies are housed within real working hotels, Mercure Canberra , ACT and Comfort Resort Leura Gardens, NSW. Both of these businesses have safety policies for their staff and guests in case of emergencies and accidents. Trainees receive a site induction immediately when beginning their training with Hotel Etico. In the event of any emergency or incident, our support workers are responsible for the safety of trainees. Our support workers are specifically trained to respond in the event of an incident or emergency and ensure that all trainees on site are safe and accounted for.  

As part of a trainee application and onboarding process, Hotel Etico carries out a thorough risk assessment. Any additional support needs which would impact trainees specifically during an emergency are identified and support workers are provided with a specific plan to ensure the trainee’s safety. This would include medical issues such as Epilepsy and other health conditions.  

A senior member of Hotel Etico’s staff is on call seven days a week, and issues are first directed to the Academy Coordinators, and if they are not available our Chief Operating Officer.  All staff are required to hold current Working with Children and Criminal Record Checks and undergo an extensive induction process. Staff are carefully selected based on their experience in hospitatliy and disability work as welll as their alignment with our values and mission. All staff receive an extensive induction before working in our program and are supported by a team of professionals.

Trainees’ work shifts are generally 4 hours long. Shifts may occasionally be longer depending on needs and individual capabilities.  Trainees attend the program for a maximum total of 44 hours a week. The rotating rosters are across two or three days, including one or two overnight stays depending on the week. 

Trainees stay in a dedicated on-site apartment during their rostered workdays (Academy of Independence).

Where possible, each trainee has their own room with a private bathroom and facilities. Shared spaces include a kitchen, dining room, and lounge. Trainees may also share a bedroom and bathroom with another young person. On non-rostered days, they independently return to their homes outside the program.

When trainees arrive at the Academy, they are likely to head straight to their rooms, finding sheets, towels and ensuring their uniforms are in order. Rosters change according to the day and how busy the hotel in which each Academy is housed is.

Between shifts trainees spend time together in their common room and during each rotation each trainee spends time with a support worker, to work on their independent living goals.

Trainees will spend some part of each day on shared chores including cooking, cleaning their rooms and shared areas, and laundry. Support workers help delegate tasks so that all trainees participate and pitch in.  

Trainees manage their own time with support, which is a critical aspect of the training. Our program is a space where trainees are able to learn what works for them in a safe and controlled environment while still making their own decisions. Trainees do not have dedicated meal times together. Support workers encourage and facilitate trainees to participate in group social activities, but trainees are given the freedom to spend their downtime outside of training however they wish within the Academy.  

Trainees are observed by staff and support workers so that if issues present, support workers intervene and contact carers and families to form a plan. These issues can include: avoiding participating in all social events, taking too long to get ready and struggling to be punctual to shifts and training.  

We have provided an exemplar timetable below:

• 8 am – 9 am: Breakfast 
• 10 am – 2 pm: Four-hour shift in Food and Beverage department
• 2 pm – 4 pm: Unscheduled Down Time  
• 4 pm – 6 pm: Independent Living Training 
• 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm: Dinner  
• 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm:  Cleaning up after dinner with supervision.  
• 8:30 pm onwards: Downtime and then sleep.

“We are more than grateful that James had the opportunity to be trained at the Hotel Etico (Mount Victoria). It has significantly changed his life.  The Hotel Etico Team is highly appreciated and respected. We will continue to support all of you.  I wish you all success in your work with young people who have disabilities”

“We have experienced many providers, none were anywhere near as good as Hotel Etico. The others ‘talked the talk, but didn’t walk the walk”

“There’s not many like Etico that cover employment skills and independent living”

“What stood out with Hotel Etico was the Academy, where independence skills were actively practiced, paid training/work and hospitality skills with excellent support and the support to find work at the end of the program”

“I have not come across any other opportunities like Hotel Etico… nothing else leads to the mainstream employment opportunities provided by Hotel Etico”.

Hotel Etico offers an established, trusted program with clear, proven pathways to employment. Hotel Etico has been running in Australia since 2020 but the first academy opened in Asti Italy in 2015. A total of 70 trainees have participated in the program so far, with a 98% graduation rate. Of those graduates 70-80% have transitioned to industry employment.  

Hotel Etico currently works with 27 employment partners. Some trainees have received offers of work through or outside the program during their first year. Graduates receive individualised support from our industry employment team  and support and training is provided to employers where necessary.  

Trainees who have not yet secured industry employment, as well as our graduates are often offered the opportunity to work at one-off events at our campuses or at external events and to speak at disability or employment-focussed events. Previous trainees and graduates for example have worked at the Brisbane Convention Centre for the World Down Syndrome Congress, serving up to five hundred delegates at the Congress Dinner.

Trainees are expected to commute to the Academy independently either by public transport or by car.  

In Leura support is not provided for trainees to catch public transport but support workers are able to pick trainees up from the train station.  

If commuting independently is an important goal for a specific trainee, we are able to provide support during their independent living sessions. Additional support to this,  including support workers commuting with trainees, would likely be an additional cost on top of normal program fees.  

We recommend potential trainees practise skills that are likely to be covered by the Hotel Etico Employment and Independence Program. The best way to help someone for our program is to ask questions, for example asking what part of hospitality and tourism work is most interesting for them. If an applicant is interested in a specific area such as housekeeping or barista work, they can practise relevant skills at home.   

Suggestions include:   

• Taking on household chores including supervised cooking, shopping for a recipe, etc.
• Preparing skills required to independently arrive at work including ironing clothes and catching public transport.   
• Practice commuting to the hotel before beginning the program.   
• Attend hospitality venues to watch what hospitality and tourism workers are required to do.   

It is important to make sure trainees understand what to expect from our program. Help them to imagine their life within the program including the training they are going to receive and what living at our accommodation will involve. Check if the trainee has any questions or concerns, if they are do, we are here to help, just get in touch.

Trainees rotate through a range of hospitality roles during Year One, living on-site with other trainees during their rostered days. Some trainees can transition to industry employment during their first year, not requiring a full year of training to meet their hospitality and independence goals. Other trainees do not transition directly into employment, opting to train with us for longer until they are ready for work. This additional training on-site is subject to funding, through the NDIS or self-funded.  

Other trainees who do not immediately begin work after finishing a year of training are able stay engaged with the program and Hotel Etico by joining our alumni community. We offer our graduates one off work opportunities at events, invite them to speak at disability expos and invite them to speak to prospective parents at our on-site information sessions.  

Hotel Etico has a complaint policy which is available here. 

A Complaint can be submitted using this form.

The Hotel Etico Employment and Independence Program has operated in Australia since 2020. The Etico model was first established at a Hotel in Asti Italy in 2015.

To learn more about the impact of our program, please click through here.

Trainees living at Hotel Etico have access to support from support workers at a ratio of 1:1, 1:2 or 1;3 depending on the individual’s needs. All staff are NDIS trained and have Working With Children and Criminal Record Checks. Staff receive a specific program induction and are supported by a team of professionals.  

As part of the trainee’s application and onboarding process, a thorough risk assessment is conducted by our staff using information provided by carers and families. In the event of any emergency, support workers are aware of all trainees’ needs and any medical conditions and are trained to respond and keep traineees safe.   

Any specific safety concerns can be answered by our staff over the phone. To see our contact details, click here.

The first step to understanding our program is to attend an information session at one of our Academies. These sessions will give you the opportunity to speak to current trainees and staff, to better understand how the program works and whether it could be suitable for your young person. 

Our application process is designed to assist us in gaining an understanding of the applicant and for the applicant to decide if they are interested in the Program. The interview and visit to our sites, as well as the sleepover can help trainees, their families/carers and our staff determine any potential issues for the trainee before they begin our program. We advise carers, parents or families to discuss what the program involves day to day, as well as the expectations of trainees in terms of their willingness to try new work and tasks outside of their comfort zones.  

If an applicant needs to develop a specific skill before commencing the program, this is identified by our staff and communicated with the applicant and their family or carers. Examples include practicing personal care and hygiene as Hotel Etico does not provide personal care support, or increasing interpersonal communication skills.  

The trial sleepover and work trial trainees participate in before receiving an offer for the program is used to identify risks and additional support needs.  

For further details about the Program, click through here. 

We encourage all parents and carers who are interested in the Program for a family member, to reach out to our staff. To contact us click through to here.  

To speak to our staff, use the contact details provided at the following link.

We recommend that you attend an information session in person at one of our sites, if possible, as this will give you the opportunity to see meet our staff, and speak to current trainees to gain a better understanding of the program. 

Our staff will ensure you have sufficient funding from the NDIS or receive assurance about your self-funding before each trainee begins the program. If there is insufficient funding within your NDIS plan, you will immediately be notified and advised to apply for a review of your NDIS plan.  

We advise you begin this process, including obtaining any necessary evidence from medical specialists, occupational therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists as soon as possible. NDIS plan reviews can take six months or longer. 

If you are unable to obtain funding in time, we will consult with you about how to keep the trainee engaged with the program for as long as possible. This could involve reduced hours in each weekly rotation or taking a break from training.  

We invoice our program weekly so there is also an option of self-funding, which we would discuss well in advance of your funding running out.

Trainees who are not currently staying on site return to their homes outside of the program. Trainees only work eight hours during their rotation and receive one-one one support each week to work on their independent living goals. Trainees also have downtime and are encouraged to participate in group activities by our staff and support workers.