Media Release by The Hon Stuart Robert MP

Delivering the NDIS: Views Sought on NDIS Workforce Plan

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Stuart Robert today encouraged organisations across the disability sector to contribute to the development of a national plan to build a capable and sustainable workforce needed to support NDIS participants.

The Commonwealth Government is working with states and territories to develop the NDIS Workforce Plan and has now sought views from across the community. Building on the significant work already undertaken by governments and industry, this plan will deliver a cohesive, national approach to delivering the workforce needed to support the world-leading NDIS.

NDIS service providers, peak bodies representing people with disability and other industry groups are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas on growing and building capability in the NDIS workforce. Service providers from similar sectors, such as aged care and health care, are also invited to participate. The consultation, which will commence with an online survey, will focus on four interrelated goals for the NDIS workforce – attracting workers, retaining workers, maximising the use of workers and lifting quality and capability.

Minister Robert said the NDIS represents one of the largest job creation opportunities in Australia’s history.

‘To deliver an NDIS that is sustainable for future generations it is essential we put in place a prudent approach to building the disability workforce of tomorrow,’ Minister Robert said.

‘Across this workforce we estimate 71 per cent of new positions will be disability support workers, with the remaining growth comprising of allied health professionals, managers and others – these are significant opportunities for Australians through a vocation of supporting others and changing lives.’

‘At the forefront of this large workforce are the businesses, peak bodies, industry and career educations groups who are seeing the challenges and the opportunities. We want to engage with these groups and those representing people with disability to hear ideas on how we can ensure a thriving workforce.’

Service providers, peak bodies representing people with disability and other industry groups are encouraged to share their views by visiting https://engage.dss.gov.au/.

The survey is open now and closes at midnight (AEST) Friday 27 March 2020.