The Support Workforce Guide

How to Find and Keep the Best NDIS Support Workers

This guide is for executives at disability support organisations who want to better understand, attract and retain a world-class disability support workforce.

Demand for NDIS services is skyrocketing, fast outpacing the supply of people who can provide them. While the disability services industry is brimming with hard-working, dedicated individuals — there simply isn’t enough of them to go around. And recruiting within this existing talent pool doesn’t support growth within the industry at large, because it requires poaching staff from other service providers.

A study from NDS reported that in 2020, more than three-quarters (79%) of disability organisations received requests for support they were unable to provide. Some estimates predict the disability workforce will need to double in size within the next three years just to keep pace with the increasing demand.

If the talent pool isn’t growing fast enough, how can service organisations build (and keep) high quality teams that can meet demand? To address this question, we surveyed frontline support workers and spoke to three industry experts on the subject. This guide is for executives at disability support organisations who want to better understand, attract and retain a world-class disability support workforce.

In this report you’ll discover:

  • Fresh insights from support workers on the frontline
  • Creative tactics for recruiting ‘outside the box’
  • Why communication is critical to creating a supportive workplace environment
  • Advice on how to create a strong internal culture that keeps staff engaged

Meet the experts

Pip Jankowski – Head of People and Culture, Leisure Networks

Pip has been with Leisure Networks for more than five years, working to create an enviable people-first culture that fosters and recognises great talent in the disability services sector.

Clare Malcolm - Regional Coordinator, Boosting the Local Care Workforce

Clare has a unique understanding of recruitment in the care sector, working directly with service providers to help them operate and thrive within the ever-evolving NDIS program.

Andrew Erskine - Chief Operating Officer, GoodHuman

Before joining GoodHuman three years ago, Andrew had an extensive career in recruitment across London and Melbourne and has worked with online talent marketplaces.