Morrison Government strategy to boost NDIS workforce

The Morrison Government has released a comprehensive strategy to create thousands of new jobs and help businesses plan for the future with new data unveiled on projected areas of demand in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) market.

Minister for Families and Social Services, Paul Fletcher said the NDIS will be one of the largest job creation opportunities in Australia’s history.

“When fully rolled out, the NDIS will support 460,000 people with disability – and this means up to 90,000 more full-time equivalent workers will be needed to meet this demand over the next five years,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Spending on disability services is expected to increase from $8 billion in 2015-16, to more than $22 billion when the NDIS is fully rolled out.

“This provides significant opportunities for job seekers, including jobseekers with disability, to take advantage of new roles being created to provide safe and quality services to people with disability.

“To enable Australians to take advantage of these opportunities it is important to provide the right information and appropriate support to NDIS providers to grow their business and importantly create jobs.”

A key element of the new Growing the NDIS Market and Workforce strategy is the launch of the new Boosting the Local Care Workforce website which will showcase projected demand for disability services at the micro level under the NDIS.

“These tools will be integral in assisting providers and businesses plan for the future and grow their business by giving them forecasts of projected demand for services and the future workforce by postcode,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The new website will also allow organisations to self-assess their existing systems, processes and overall readiness to become a NDIS provider or sustain or expand their service offering,” Mr Fletcher said. 

Assistant Minister for Social Services, Housing and Disability Services, Sarah Henderson said NDIS providers, and organisations keen to enter the scheme can now also apply for up to $20,000 of tailored business support under the $5.6 million Transition Assistance Funding program.

“This support includes advice to help providers transition from block funding to the market‑based model of the NDIS,” Ms Henderson said.

“Applications for up to $20,000 in funding for business advice and support open 23 March 2019 and will close 26 April 2019.

“We encourage providers to apply for Transition Assistance Funding by firstly completing a readiness assessment at blcw.dss.gov.au/readiness.

“By supporting the development of a strong and well-functioning market, the Morrison Government will enable the delivery of innovative services to NDIS participants.

“With more than 250,000 participants now benefiting from the NDIS, supporting providers to meet the needs of people with disability is critical to ensuring that participants can make the best use of support funding provided in their plans.

“The Government is also working with states and territories on skills and capability, to ensure a workforce is ready to provide safe and quality services for NDIS participants to assist them to achieve outcomes in the community and workforce,” Ms Henderson said.

For more information visit the Boosting the Local Care Workforce website, including the NDIS Demand Map at blcw.dss.gov.au. The Growing the NDIS Market and Workforce strategy is available on the Department of Social Services’ website at www.dss.gov.au.