Workforce Council

National Disability Insurance Scheme

The Health and Community Services Workforce Council welcomes the Federal Government’s commitment to a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

The long awaited decision for the national comprehensive and long-term support scheme for Australians with a disability and their families was delivered by Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday.

Workforce Council Executive Director Wallis Westbrook said the Prime Minister’s support for the scheme signals an investment in opportunity for Australian’s with significant disability.

“The NDIS is a much needed reform which will dramatically change the landscape of the disability sector in Australia,” Mr Westbrook said.

“This reshaping will undoubtedly improve the access and choice of care available to our communities, but also has the potential to lead to significant changes to the disability workforce’s existing work roles and job design.

“Naturally, having worked with the sector for many years, the Workforce Council is eager to continue supporting the sector to develop their workforce through any challenges accompanying the transition resulting from the NDIS.”

The NDIS was detailed in a Productivity Commission report recommending a complete overhaul of the disability system, following a significant community campaign focused on the social and economic benefits.

The main recommendations of the Productivity Commission report include:

• A National Disability Insurance Scheme should be created to provide all Australians with insurance for the costs of support in the event of significant disability. The scheme will provide individually tailored care and support to around 410,000 people with significant disabilities.
• The scheme should ensure genuine choice for people with disability over how their needs are met.
• A separate no-fault National Injury Insurance Scheme should be created to provide cover for anyone who suffers a catastrophic injury requiring lifetime care and support.

For more information on the National Disability Insurance Scheme view the Productivity Commission report

For more information on the Workforce Council’s work with the Disability sector visit our Disability Sector Training Fund page

For more information on the campaign visit the Every Australian Counts website