About
Priority setting support assists employees in effectively managing their workload by offering structured strategies to identify, organise, and complete tasks in a way that aligns with their capacity and objectives.
This support is especially valuable for individuals who experience difficulties with task management, time allocation, or decision-making due to factors such as disability, mental health conditions, or other personal circumstances.
As part of this accommodation, individuals may be guided through various evidence-based prioritisation frameworks.
Two commonly used tools are the MoSCoW method and the Eisenhower Matrix, both of which help in categorising tasks based on urgency, importance, or necessity.
The MoSCoW Method
The MoSCoW method categorises tasks into four groups:
- Must have (critical tasks that are non-negotiable)
- Should have (important but not vital)
- Could have (desirable but not necessary)
- Won’t have (lowest priority or out of scope for now)
This approach helps clarify expectations and ensures that energy is focused on what truly matters in each timeframe.
The Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, divides tasks into four quadrants:
- Urgent and important (do immediately)
- Important but not urgent (schedule to do later)
- Urgent but not important (delegate if possible)
- Neither urgent nor important (consider eliminating)
This tool helps individuals distinguish between reactive and strategic work, encouraging more intentional time management.
In practice, priority setting support may involve breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps, developing structured daily or weekly schedules, and receiving personalised coaching or prompts to reassess priorities as workloads shift.
These strategies can increase productivity, reduce stress, and improve confidence in handling complex or competing demands.
Costs and Funding
The cost of priority setting support can vary depending on the nature of the support provided. For example, employees may require a work coach, access to software, or specific training on time management.
Funding options for this accommodation can include:
Funding Options
- Employment Services: These government programs support people with disabilities in securing and maintaining employment. Funding can be provided to support workplace adjustments. If you are an employability practitioner supporting a client via one of the employment service programs (DES, Workforce Australia, TTW etc) you have access to funds to support your client, however, the amounts and limitations on funding vary based on the client’s circumstances, the provider you work for and the contract you operate in. If you work in DES, it is important to note that you have very flexible funding options available to support the client’s ability to find and keep work and should use that flexibility as creatively as possible.
- JobAccess: This is an Australian Government service that provides advice and assistance to both employees and employers in making workplace adjustments. This could include funding for time management and organisation-related accommodations.
- Workplace Assistance Scheme: Employers may be eligible for financial support to help implement reasonable adjustments that assist employees with a disability, such as assistance with time management or organisational skills.
- Wage Subsidies through programs like the Supported Wage System, which may be applicable for employees with disabilities.
- IncludAbility: Created by the Australian Human Rights Commission, offers services and resources for employers and people with disability.
- New South Wales: Funding Workplace Adjustments, which can be accessed through the Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) and various state and territory initiatives.
- Victoria: Reasonable adjustments and flexible work arrangements for employers: https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/for-individuals/disability-and-the-workplace/
- Queensland: Resources and support Queensland Government.
- Northern Territory: Resources and support NT.GOV.AU.
- Find Your Local Service: All around Australia there are a range of services and programs supporting people with disability for employment. Find a Disability Employment Service Provider | Job Access
Related Accommodations
Help Us Improve the Knowledge Hub
This Knowledge Hub is a living library that relies on community feedback to stay current, accurate, and effective for everyone. We welcome all submissions, whether you've spotted an error, have an improvement idea, or want to suggest a new topic.
Report an Inaccuracy
Help us correct outdated information, broken links, or any factual errors you find.
Suggest an Improvement
Suggest an improvement to make an existing profile or resource much clearer.