Research has involved three hundred employers, employees, sole traders, and self-managed participants who have shared their experiences of the NDIS.
Labour market data, captured by CSIRO’s Data1, reveals insights to the disability workforce that predict it is continued to grow by a further 18.8% over five years - more than doubling the workforce as the fastest growing Industry in Queensland.
Community Services Industry Alliance CEO Belinda Drew spoke on behalf of the WorkAbility Consortium.
She said the report provided a strategic approach to workforce development that would benefit Queensland’s economic recovery.
“This research project highlights the significant jobs growth as a result of the NDIS for example 28,000 new Yellow Card holders who have entered the NDIS workforce,” she said.
“Findings also highlight labour shortages, and the potential that the NDIS represents for thousands of jobs across the state, particularly following the pandemic. There is a strong need for locally trained Support Workers, Managers and Allied Health Professionals.”
Lead Researcher for the project, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the University of Sunshine Coast Professor Denise Wood AM said key themes within the report informed a set of six final recommendations.
“At the time of the gathering data there were 55,000 registered NDIS participants: most people with Autism (30%) or with Intellectual Disability (24%),” she said.
“This type of participant data and interviews conducted with providers identifies a significant demand for Support Workers and Allied Health Professionals.”
“Case studies and interviews in addition identifies several strategies that could be adopted to address this demand, including greater use of Allied Health Assistants.”
WorkAbility Qld and Jobs Queensland are working closely to implement a number of initiatives as a result of early findings and recommendations.
These include an Allied Health Assistants Good Practice Guide developed in consultation with industry to address the demands of Allied Health Services and effectively utilise delegated Allied Health Assistants.
Several state state-wide and local projects are underway which focus on building the NDIS Workforce and employment pathways. This includes the Common Induction for NDIS Workforce Micro Credential, and NDIS Training and Skills and Support Strategy (NTSSS).
The announcement of the Strengthening Queensland’s NDIS Workforce report follows the release of six regional research reports for Brisbane North and South, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Townsville and Mackay.
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