Concerns over disability staff shortage

There are concerns there won't be enough trained staff to support people who are transitioning into the national disability insurance scheme.

People with disabilities could find it hard to find support staff as thousands prepare to transition into the national disability insurance scheme.

Almost half of disability service companies surveyed in a new report expect to face difficulties recruiting new staff with the scheme's full rollout from 2016.

The National Disability Services report also found 38 per cent of all disability workers are casuals, leading to concerns some may not be adequately trained.

The scheme will face significant pressure next year when three-year trials close and about 460,000 people start to receive specialised care and funding packages.

That's expected to boost demand for a skilled workforce.

But the report says the high proportion of casual staff could mean people with disabilities may have to deal with constantly new faces.

For the industry, it will make it more expensive to hire and train new staff.

National Disability Services wants employers, unions and the Fair Work Commission to hash out a strategy together to avoid this.


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Published 7 December 2015 9:51am
Updated 7 December 2015 10:24am
Source: AAP


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