Who is this for?

This resource is most suitable for HR Managers, Senior Leaders and Executives, Frontline Supervisors, and Disability Support Workers.

Project Overview and Objectives

Both the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review have identified skills and training as key factors in the delivery of safe, quality disability services. However, information and investment in the disability sector’s skill requirements is often fragmented and hard to access.

In response, NDS has formed a project team to lead NDS’s policy and advocacy work in disability workforce skills and training. By reviewing existing literature through an environmental scan [pdf | doc] and undertaking thorough stakeholder consultation, the NDS Skills Project aims to:

1. Identify the skills needed by disability support workers and frontline supervisors to perform their roles effectively.
2. Identify existing training pathways for disability support workers and their supervisors; assessing their effectiveness and recommending key actions for improvement moving forward.

NDS is working closely with HumanAbility, the NDIS Commission, worker representatives, the VET training sector, and disability service providers to inform its project efforts. 

Project Outputs and Outcomes

The NDS Skills Project aims to increase knowledge and understanding of disability sector skill requirements and related learning opportunities; create an improved environment for all stakeholders to make informed decisions on disability sector training investments; and increase the disability sector's workforce capability. To achieve this, the project team is creating:

1. An environmental scan of existing research on Australia’s disability workforce skills and training. Environmental scan [pdf] | Environmental scan [doc]
2. A Skills Bank that documents current skill requirements for disability support workers and frontline supervisors.
3. An accredited training audit that maps and gaps skill requirements against accredited training (CHC training package) (currently in production).
4. A report on worker perspectives in relation to skills and training (currently in production)
5. A report on policy recommendations for government (to be delivered in late 2024)
6. A series of stakeholder resources with accessible information on training options and pathways (to be delivered in late 2024)

How to get involved

NDS is currently undertaking key stakeholder consultation efforts to inform this project. We'd love to hear from you! You can share your input in the following ways:

For disability service providers:

Join our next Plunge Pool to inform NDS' Skills Bank. The Skills Bank will document the essential skills for disability support workers and frontline supervisors. In concert with the NDIS Workforce Capability Framework and the NDIS Practice Standards, your input will inform NDS policy and advocacy on:

• Training needs for the disability sector
• Funding for training to support you build a skilled disability workforce

You can register for the next Plunge Pool now.

For registered training organisations:

NDS is inviting all RTOs who have disability-related training products on scope to participate in a survey. The information gained will assist us to understand in more detail the range and reach of training products available across Australia, identify any gaps and will be used to provide one point of reference for our members so they can make informed decisions when seeking to purchase training options for their staff. To ensure your organisation is contacted, please email submit enquiry/feedback with your interest and mark it Attention Louise.

If you'd like to learn more about the project or have any comments and suggestions, get in touch with us at submit enquiry/feedback.

Related Resources

• Workforce Hub