Australian Government response to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Workforce Interim Report of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme
The Australian Government welcomes the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) interim report to the inquiry into the NDIS Workforce (the committee's interim report).
The interim report makes 14 recommendations that cover funding arrangements; training and accreditation; employment opportunities for people with lived experience of disability; the distribution of allied health professionals; investing in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce; and securing reliable workforce data to support workforce planning and policy development. The Australian Government supports or supports in principle 11 of the recommendations made in the committee’s interim report, and notes three recommendations.
The Australian Government is committed to growing a strong and innovative disability sector that has the capability and capacity to deliver supports that enable every individual NDIS participants to maximise their economic and social participation.
The NDIS National Workforce Plan 2021-2025, released in June 2021, outlines the Australian Government’s approach to working with states and territories, people living with disability, the care and support sector and other key stakeholders. A shared goal is to grow a responsive and capable care and support workforce, and to strengthen the sector to meet the needs and aspirations of NDIS participants. The plan takes account of issues raised by participants, providers, support workers, allied health professionals, representative bodies and other key stakeholders through government-led consultations and through this inquiry.