Following the release of the NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025, the Joint Standing Committee of the National Disability insurance Scheme has made eight recommendations to address issues within the NDIS workforce.

Critical to the sustainability of the NDIS, is a workforce of sufficient size to meet demand, with the appropriate skills, qualifications and expertise to deliver safe, quality supports to participants.

It is estimated that the NDIS workforce will need to grow by an additional 83,000 full time equivalent staff to support participants at the scheme’s projected peak. However, attracting and retaining a suitably skilled, qualified workforce continues to be a significant challenge, with the sector increasingly seen as overworked, underpaid, undervalued and poorly trained.

Evidence provided to this inquiry demonstrated that ambitious action is needed to adequately address issues within the NDIS workforce and to safeguard the availability of safe and quality supports for NDIS participants into the future.

The committee recommends that the Australian Government:

1.Facilitate the collection of data to support better understanding about new working models being employed in the NDIS, including online and platform-based services.

2. Ensure that workers in the NDIS and their representatives, as well as other stakeholders, are consulted in all regular pricing review processes and processes to review the Cost Model for Disability Support Workers.

3.Through co-design with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations, develop and report on specific outcomes for initiatives in the NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025 to support the growth and development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS workforce.

4. Implement a targeted strategy to improve employment opportunities for people with disability within the NDIS workforce specifically, that is co-designed by people with disability and peak bodies.

5. Address the funding and resource implications of any new training and upskilling initiatives, in relation to NDIS service providers and individual disability support workers within the sector.

6. Develop and implement a robust strategy to increase and improve opportunities for student placements in the NDIS workforce. The strategy should include strong partnerships with NDIS service providers, universities, TAFEs and other training institutions, and be co-designed by people with disability and peak bodies.

7.In consultation with NDIS participants and their advocates, the disability and allied health sectors, and NDIS workers and their representatives, develop and publish clear and measurable outcomes for each of the initiatives in the NDIS National Workforce.

8. Develop and publish a comprehensive consultation strategy for the implementation of measures under the NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025.

The committee remains concerned that the current NDIS price guide and the Cost Model for disability support workers may not reflect the value and complexity of disability support work. And the government should ensure that NDIS workers are specifically consulted through all regular pricing review processes. Also, that the Workforce Plan lacks targeted measures to increase the number of workers with lived experience of disability within the NDIS workforce.

To access the full report, visit: www.dss.gov.au/disability-andcarers-publications-articles/ndis-national-workforce-plan-2021-2025