Providers across Australia are reporting increased difficulty in recruiting and retaining the workers they need to meet the demand for NDIS supports.

These difficulties are acutely felt in the allied health and disability support worker areas. It is estimated there are 3,750 unfilled vacancies now, with an additional 83,000 NDIS workers expected to be required by 2024 (bringing the total workforce to about 353,000).

Minister Reynolds's release of the Department of Social Services' NDIS National Workforce Plan: 2021 – 25 is, therefore, timely. The Plan outlines 16 initiatives aimed at growing a skilled and capable workforce, structured around three priorities: