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

If you'd like to get involved with this project, please reach out: submit enquiry/feedback.

At this point in time, we are undertaking stakeholder consultations with disability service providers. If you'd like to share your thoughts, come to one of our upcoming Plunge Pools events.

Related Resources

• Workforce Hub