Transforming NDIS employment supports for sustainable growth and participant outcomes

This paper advocates for a comprehensive redesign of the National Disability Insurance Scheme's (NDIS) employment support framework. It identifies that too few participants have employment discussed during planning and funding that could be used to build skills, confidence and pathways to work is frequently left untapped. 

The paper argues the current configuration of NDIS employment supports is in need of reform to deliver sustainable open employment outcomes for many participants. Drawing on Australian and international evidence it identifies two evidence-based models that consistently produce better outcomes: Customised Employment (CE) and Individual Placement and Support (IPS).

Key recommendations

• Make employment a standard focus of every NDIS plan.
• Embed CE and IPS as core, complementary approaches to building employment capability.
• Replace hourly billing with milestone-based funding linked to outcomes.
• Establish a professional workforce with national standards and mandatory capability development in psychologically informed practice.
• As Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) is introduced, ensure it is designed to complement, not substitute, NDIS funded supports, so that participants enter IEA services with readiness and clear vocational goals.