NDIS to Create Thousands of Jobs

The rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in South Australia will create more than 6000 jobs, according to the state’s Premier Jay Weatherill.

Weatherill said around 6300 new jobs would be created in the disability sector when the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is fully operational from July 2018.

“More than 1700 new jobs will be in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, providing employment in a region impacted by recent and forecast closures in the automotive industry,” Weatherill said.

“Some people have already transitioned into disability care and the NDIS will provide many more opportunities for those who work in declining industries.

“The increased workforce will provide support to more than 32,000 South Australians in the NDIS when it is fully implemented from July 2018.”

In December South Australia became the fifth state or territory to sign up to the NDIS, following Victoria, NSW, the ACT and Tasmania.

In providing a rough breakdown of where the new jobs would be created, Weatherill said 1600 of them would be in organisational support positions, 1500 would be personal assistants to people with disability, 900 would be allied health therapists, 800 would be case managers, 600 would be local area coordinators, 550 would be mental health nurses and a further 400 would be support workers and direct care workers.

South Australian Disabilities Minister, Tony Piccolo, said the rollout of the NDIS was not just good news for people disability, their families and carers.

“The NDIS is major reform that is changing the way disability services are funded and delivered across Australia,” Piccolo said.

“When the NDIS is fully operational, the SA disability workforce is expected to increase from about 5000 currently to more than 11500, to provide the necessary support for people with disabilities.”

Uniting Communities CEO, Simon Schrapel, said the full roll out of the NDIS not only delivered much needed certainty for those living with a disability, but also an economic and jobs boost for South Australia.

“To help people with disability to achieve their aspirations will drive new jobs from caring and support workers to social work, allied health, administration and co-ordination roles,” Schrapel said.

“We now have a platform and confidence to undertake significant workforce planning and training to support the NDIS in our State.”

Lighthouse Disability CEO, Marj Ellis, said as their business expanded with the rollout of the NDIS, they expected to employ more staff for their adult and children’s services.

“We employ people with values that are aligned to our business, and ensure access to training in disability to enable staff to develop the confidence and skills that they need,” Ellis said.

“We have successfully employed people from a wide range of backgrounds, like the automotive sector, a delivery driver, a beauty therapist and a security officer.

“Staff from these backgrounds are very positive about working with people with a disability because they know that they make a difference to the quality of their lives, and they value the opportunity to work as a member of a team where they feel supported.

“Aside from the rewards that come from working with people, they can also see career pathway opportunities.”