The Centre · Research & Publications
Published work
Understanding employment, practice and the systems that shape outcomes.
The Centre’s published work spans employment systems, governance and policy, professional practice, and the model and instruments developed through that research. It is organised here by what each piece belongs to rather than by date.
Featured publication
CDERP Position Paper | October 2026
Governing the Moving Maze
Bounded Chaos, Dynamic Equilibrium and the Limits of System Redesign
Dr Peter Smith
Why do familiar problems persist despite successive reforms to employment and human-service systems?
This position paper examines why system redesign cannot rely on blueprints alone. It explores the relationships, institutional boundaries and adaptations through which outcomes are continually produced, and considers what effective governance requires when the system itself is constantly changing.
Explore the paperOne
The model
A systems analysis of factors that lead to the successful employment of people with a disability
Two
Practice
Holding the space for change: the Psychologically Informed Employment Counselling Framework in Customised Employment practice
doi.org/10.59158/001c.159501The emerging role of employment counsellors: bridging vocational support and counselling in Australia’s evolving disability employment landscape
doi.org/10.59158/001c.158758Identifying psychological conditions of employability: the Sensory Comfort Mapping Tool (SCMT)
Three
Policy and systems
CDERP position papers
CDERP Position Paper
Read →
Governing the moving maze: Bounded chaos, dynamic equilibrium and the limits of system redesign
Articles, chapters and reference works
Disability employment systems under stress: COVID-19 as a systems shock
doi.org/10.4324/9781003734055-9Customized Employment
doi.org/10.1007/978-981-92-1629-1_131-1The influence of the National Disability Insurance Scheme on Customised Employment practice in Australia
The impact of legislation and conventions on disability employment outcomes in Australia
Stable underperformance as a systems design outcome
Featured · demonstration siteGrant period complete · partnership continues
STRIDE: high-fidelity Customised Employment in regional Australia.
In partnership with Devonfield Enterprises and funded through the Structural Adjustment Fund (DSS), STRIDE built a credentialed regional Customised Employment workforce, deployed the Centre's full suite of framework tools in live practice, and produced a published evidence base. It stands as one of the most complete demonstrations of what high-fidelity practice looks like, and a working reference for providers changing under the Inclusive Employment Australia transition.
ACRE-aligned workforce
CCEP credentialing across three practitioners
CEQAF · CEFA
Audited fidelity at practice and organisational levels
DERS · FERS · IDR-A
Participant, family and Discovery evidence base
PIE-CF · Family Discovery
Integrated into the STRIDE preparation program
Live engagements: Australian and international.
Australia · mainstream reform
Workforce Australia · IEFF
The Integrative Employment Function Framework, developed as a candidate model for Workforce Australia's redesign, contributed through a service provider partner as the system moves beyond one-size-fits-all.
Australia · provider change · NDIS
Inclusive Employment Australia
Direct work with NDIS employment providers redesigning practice under IEA: the Centre's framework tools put to work so capability holds, not just compliance.
International · systems
Republic of Korea · MOEL / KEIS
A systems-comparison report and design guidance for Korea's Ministry of Employment and Labor, benchmarking procurement and performance evaluation in employment services across Australia, the UK and Sweden, delivered with Asuria.
International · policy
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia · First Job Guarantee
Invited expert contribution to the Global Labour Market Conference 2026 (Riyadh) on the design of a national First Job Guarantee framework, with an architecture test in development with local partners.
International · tourism & employment
UN Tourism · Graduate Employability
Commissioned by UN Tourism to develop an international publication examining how tourism education connects with employment opportunities. Drawing on Member State evidence and international research, the work develops an assessment framework and practical recommendations for strengthening graduate transitions, workforce inclusion and education–industry collaboration.
Working through a change of your own?
Provider redesign under Inclusive Employment Australia, a fidelity audit, an evaluation, or research with the Centre. Tell us where the pressure is and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right call.
Applied research
Commissioned work.
The Centre undertakes commissioned research for governments, provider organisations and international partners. Full reports are held with the commissioning body. Briefings on completed work are available on request.
About the author
This body of work is directed by Dr Peter Smith, who came to research from frontline practice and has led the Centre for fifteen years.
Read the full profile →Work with the Centre
Ask about the work behind a paper.
Whether you are following up a published piece, seeking a briefing on completed commissioned work, or considering research with the Centre, start the conversation.