The Future of Disability Support Work Under the NDIS Review
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The NDIS Review is reshaping Australia’s disability sector. Here’s what the reforms mean for disability support workers, training, and the professionalisation of care.
A Sector on the Brink of Transformation
Australia’s disability sector is on the verge of one of the most significant transformations since the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was first introduced in 2013.
The 2024 NDIS Review sets out a bold vision for a more consistent, professional, and better-supported workforce. It seeks to address long-standing challenges, including pay inequality, workforce instability, inconsistent training, and the continued lack of recognition for disability support workers.
However, change won’t come without pressure. A 2023 study of NDIS workers in rural and remote communities found that heavy bureaucratic demands, isolation, and limited organisational support continue to impact workforce wellbeing — highlighting the need for reform to be both systemic and human-centred.
What’s Driving the Reform Agenda
The review introduces several key shifts aimed at strengthening the workforce and improving service delivery:
• Professionalisation of the Workforce
A new Workforce Capability Framework will outline clearer expectations around qualifications, ongoing training, supervision, and ethical standards.
• Greater Recognition
Disability support workers — often the backbone of participant outcomes — will see more defined career pathways and recognition closer to what we see across the broader allied health sector.
• Strengthening Regional and Remote Services
Reforms will target “thin markets”: areas where there are too few providers and workers to meet community need, particularly in regional and remote Australia.
• More Support and Development
Government and sector partners will expand access to training, professional networks, and mentorship — with a focus on lifting quality and worker wellbeing.
Opportunities for Growth and Career Development
Demand for disability professionals is set to soar. According to Rotawiz (2024), the sector will require at least 128,000 additional workers by mid-2025 — creating strong opportunities for people seeking meaningful, stable, purpose-driven careers.
The future disability workforce will need a blend of:
Technical capability: care planning, record keeping, safeguarding, and technology-enabled support
Emotional intelligence and resilience
Trauma-informed, person-centred practice
Cultural competence, especially for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Leadership and team-based skills for those moving toward senior or supervisory roles
For organisations, this means investing not only in recruitment but in retention, development, and wellbeing.
The Human Side of Change
The NDIS is ultimately about people — and the workforce is the catalyst for meaningful outcomes. Many disability support workers choose this profession because they are driven by compassion, purpose, and community connection.
For them to thrive, the sector must meet the moment with structured support, fair recognition, and clearer career progression. The NDIS reforms acknowledge this by placing people — not just frameworks and finance — at the centre of the future system.
Explore Your Future in the Disability Sector
Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced practitioner ready for your next step, now is a pivotal time to build a rewarding career in disability services.
👉 If you’re ready to grow your career in a purpose-led sector, explore NDIS roles with Be Recruitment.
Post written by Theo Venables for Be Recruitment Group.
