NDIS research shows significant workforce growth

An investigation of the labour force and skills implications of the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has actively informed the second statewide report, Strengthening Queensland’s NDIS Workforce.

This new research shows thousands more jobs to come in the disability and community services sector, which is welcome news for those seeking employment in a growth industry. The number of people receiving NDIS support has almost doubled from 55,000 in 2019 to 102,000 as at 31 December 2021. This support is forecast to grow, creating additional demand for workers with NDIS-related occupations.

Data in this new report also reveals that the number of active NDIS participants is expected to more than double over the next decade. This means additional demand for workers, with NDIS-related occupations, predicted to be some of the fastest growing jobs in Queensland. Jobs Queensland’s Anticipating Future Skills Series projects an increase of 25 per cent in aged and disabled care workers over the four years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

This research is critical to inform employment opportunities, as well as to help to ensure Queensland has the workforce with the skills needed to service the NDIS.

The report also lists key areas for action for industry and government, including local workforce attraction and development, improving career pathways and promoting non-accredited and accredited training options, such as traineeships, and improving NDIS workforce data collection.

Other outcomes of this industry collaboration between WorkAbility Queensland and Jobs Queensland include free workforce planning resources for NDIS service providers and an Allied Health Assistants Good Practice Guide comprising case studies, successful staffing models and proven delegation and supervision strategies.

We encourage you to explore the available resources as part of the NDIS workforce skills project on the Jobs Queensland website.

Donna Bonney
Board Chair

This article was featured in the August 2022 edition of our eNews. To read more and subscribe, click here.

Last updated 9 January 2023