Epilepsy and employment

Epilepsy is a medical condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. A medical specialist diagnoses epilepsy after a person experiences at least 2 seizures.

Epilepsy and seizures vary significantly between people.

Many people living with epilepsy are successfully employed across a range of professional fields. Employment types may include apprenticeships, traineeships, open employment, or supported employment with an Australian Disability Enterprise.

In some circumstances, a diagnosis of epilepsy may influence the types of roles or tasks that are considered suitable, particularly if seizures are not yet well controlled. In these situations, decisions are usually made to ensure the safety of the individual, their colleagues and the wider community, and may change over time as seizure control improves.

Some areas of employment are unavailable to anyone with epilepsy, even if you have good seizure control. For example, someone with epilepsy cannot work as a pilot or a commercial driver, such as a train or tram driver.

Risk management and workplace accommodations

Epilepsy can impact employment and the workplace in various ways:

• Seizure frequency, recovery and medical appointments can result in absences.
• Anti-seizure medications can have side effects including difficulties with memory, concentration and fatigue.
• There may also be implications from loss of driving licence, difficulty getting to and from work, or seizure triggers (for example, early mornings/shift work).

Often seizures and epilepsy do not affect ability to work, but accommodations in the workplace may be necessary to ensure the safety of you and of others.

Reasonable accommodations can include:

• work from home/hybrid arrangements to allow for travel restrictions
• shift work adjustments (especially if lack of sleep is a trigger)
• modify work premises (for example, lighting, office layout, trip/fall hazards)
• working in pairs/groups to ensure safety

Some people with epilepsy are unable to work full-time. A new diagnosis may result in moving from full-time to part-time work.

It is important to have an open discussion with your neurologist and employer on how best to manage this transition. Your neurologist may need to provide a letter of support.

If you are unable to work due to your epilepsy, you may be eligible for CentreLink payments such as DSP.

Telling your employer you have epilepsy

You have to tell your employer about your epilepsy if it affects your ability to meet the requirements of your job.

Otherwise, you do not have to tell your employer (or a potential employer) about your epilepsy – it’s your choice.

You may decide you need to tell people at work about (disclose) your epilepsy if:

• you require some workplace adjustments to help you do your job
• your co-workers will need to support you if you have a seizure at work
• there is any risk of injury to you or your co-workers if you have a seizure while performing your role
• your epilepsy potentially impacts the health and safety of your workmates or the public.

Sometimes, having a seizure in a workplace setting, or even during a job interview, can lead to positive discussions about your epilepsy diagnosis and needs.

Watch the following case studies to see how you can approach talking about epilepsy in the workplace:

• Simone takes charge of her epilepsy management by letting her colleagues know about different types of seizures and what to do if they occur in the workplace.
• Helen seeks training from the Epilepsy Foundation, which helps her colleagues respond with confidence if she has a seizure in the workplace.

Epilepsy Management Plans

If you are employed or volunteering somewhere, you may choose to use an Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP). An EMP is an individualised document developed by you and your epilepsy support team, or other medical professional. It describes:

• your seizure types
• how you would like to be supported during a seizure
• emergency procedures
• managing risks and safety in the workplace.

Using an EMP in your workplace can help others know what to do if you have a seizure, or in case of an emergency.

Epilepsy-friendly workplaces

A workplace can become epilepsy-friendly with:

• staff and management Epilepsy training
• epilepsy management plans
• epilepsy awareness and managing stigma
• open discussions with the person with epilepsy, if they are comfortable
• openness to reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

Employment support for people living with epilepsy

Employment support is available if you need help finding work and staying employed.

While you may not identify as having a disability, a number of Australian Government programs provide specialist support to people living with epilepsy and their employers, including:

• Inclusive Employment Australia – helps people with a disability, injury or health condition to find and keep a job. Inclusive Employment Australia replaced the Disability Employment Services (DES) in November 2025.
• JobAccess – a free information and advice service about the employment of people with disability. JobAccess provides information about services, financial assistance and workplace solutions; as well as information about reasonable adjustments, disclosure of disability, disability employment case studies, tools and checklists.
• Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) – if you have a moderate to severe disability, ADEs can provide you with training and experience so that you can transition into open employment or continue in supported employment, if you choose to. The BuyAbility Directory lists ADEs supported employment.
• Pre/Post School to Employment Transition Supports (SLES) – aims to help Year 12 school leavers transition from school to employment. This is provided by the NDIS and you must be an NDIS participant to engage with SLES. Discuss accessing these supports with your LAC or support coordinator.

Where to get help

• JobAccess Tel. 1800 464 800
• BuyAbility Tel. 1300 043 517
• Disability Discrimination Legal Service Tel. (03) 9654 8644
• Epilepsy Foundation Tel. (03) 8809 0600
• Your GP (doctor) or specialist
• The National Epilepsy Support Service (NESS) Tel. 1300 761 487, email support@epilepsysmart.org.au
• Disability Support Pension