About Lasercraft

Real work has been the point since 1987.

Lasercraft is a not-for-profit Australian Disability Enterprise based in West Gosford. Through the creation of premium corporate awards and the delivery of commercial services, we provide meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability.

Founded, at West Gosford: 1987
Years designing and making awards: 39
Awards in the range: 52
Contract services: 5

Australian Made licence
Not for profit Australian Disability Enterprise

Our history

Nearly forty years at West Gosford

1986
The idea
John Leddy, a Central Coast businessman with a son with disability and a connection to Fairhaven Services, joined two other local business owners to research a workable business for people with disability, following the Commonwealth Disability Services Act. With help from Rotary Gosford, a trip to Lasercraft America ended in an agreement to supply, modify and install a used CO2 laser cutter under a royalty arrangement. A site was chosen at West Gosford, a Tuggerah company built the laser engraving bed, and a workshop was set up to make blanks from exotic timbers on site.
1987
The first Board
John Leddy held the first Board meeting and formed the directors of Lasercraft.
1988
Within a year there were ten.
The laser comes on
After trials, and the dedication of a locally sourced engineer and technician, the laser became operational. Lasercraft opened as a Commonwealth funded workshop, bringing three supported employees across from Fairhaven for assembly and production.
1994to 1995
A second laser
A second laser was bought and converted into an engraver. Lasercraft parted with Lasercraft America shortly before the American company closed. As employee numbers grew, the Federal Government introduced quality assurance standards and regular disability service audits. Demand for timber corporate awards and business gifts sometimes meant round the clock production.
1996to 1998
Optical acrylic was introduced for awards, a material that is easy to hand craft, and the market took to it.
Our own premises, and acrylic
After a decade of renting, the West Gosford premises were bought.
2008to 2013
An Australian Disability Enterprise
An older laser was retired and a new 240 volt machine bought. Lasercraft became recognised as an Australian Disability Enterprise with a strong focus on training and skills development. Supported employee numbers rose to 15 in 2008 and 19 by 2012. UV printers arrived in 2011 and 2013, opening up colour and creative scope.
2015to 2018
The NDIS and a new Board
Supported employee numbers reached 23 by 2015, the funding limit at the time. The NDIS rolled out on the Central Coast in 2016 and a new Board was elected in 2017, which allowed positions to grow to 23 employees each day, 34 across the week. Solar units and energy efficient lighting were installed.
2024
Specialised teams
Operational teams were introduced to build skills and structure the working day. The Green Team is a garden and grounds crew for residential and commercial properties. The Hospitality Team runs the in-house canteen, with work experience in the community at Shapey's Love Shack cafe in Woy Woy. Handcrafted by Lasercraft launched as an online store of items made by supported employees at West Gosford, including bath salts, car diffusers and wooden keepsakes, with a direct focus on vocational training.
2026
Today, and next
Following a successful pilot of the Laserskills program, the organisation is refining its processes to launch LEAP, Lasercraft Employment Pathways, which bridges structured workplace support and independent employment.