Working in new disability markets: a survey of Australia's disability workforce

This report provides information about the workforce delivering disability services and supports in the context of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in early 2020. The information comes from a national survey of disability workers which was co-designed by the UNSW research team and the unions representing disability workers, the Health Services Union, Australian Services Union and United Workers Union.

The survey was designed to capture information from disability workers about the nature of the work they do and how it is changing; their experiences of working to support people with disability; and their perceptions of the NDIS. The results provide comprehensive, contemporary evidence that values workers’ views and experiences, and which can inform approaches to disability service provision in Australia, and the operation and regulation of the NDIS.

Key findings:

• Many workers expressed concern about the NDIS with only just over a quarter believing it provided quality support for participants. Only 1 in 5 workers agreed the NDIS had been a positive experience for them as a worker.
• Working time arrangements contributed to much concern for workers, over half work less than full time across multiple jobs, most reported doing vital tasks in unpaid time and many report constant shift changes and unstable rostering arrangements.
• Many report dissatisfaction with low pay rates and significant periods of unpaid work. Workers are rarely paid for travel time between clients and many are not reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred in the course of their work.
• Workers report a lack of supervision, which was reinforced by respondents who were supervisors advising they have too many people to supervise effectively.
• Many workers report a lack of access to training and training is rarely provided in paid time.