The NDIS Review has identified that despite the right intentions, the NDIS isn’t working as originally intended, according to Jane Morrell, founder and CEO of Carer Solutions.

This is particularly relevant in regional and remote communities, where shortages are expected to be up to 2000 by 2025 unless significant changes are made.

Areas such as Shepparton, Bendigo, Albury/Wodonga, Central Victoria, Mt Gambier, Gippsland, Wide Bay, Mackay, Bunderberg and Rockhamptom, will all require between 500 and 2000 additional support workers per region by 2025.

“Many participants from remote areas or CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities still have limited options when seeking appropriate support,” said Ms Morrell.

“As a result, the NDIS principle of ‘choice and control’ is not applicable to many,” she said.

“There's a significant workforce shortage of support workers that we're experiencing around the country. The Review also identified that workforce quality, training, and retention are also major issues for the NDIS.”

An additional 83,000 full-time support workers are needed by June 2024, which represents a growth rate of 31 per cent.

“We support Government intervention to address this shortage and ensure NDIS participants are able to access the support they need - regardless of where they live or their culture.”

In its Submission to the Review, Ms Morris  said Carer Solutions also stressed the importance of respecting culture and traditions amongst our First Nations People.

“We should not be asking these participants to ignore their connection to country, in order to access services.”

The recent final report from the Disability Royal Commission accepted that ‘a critical shortage of available workers poses a real challenge for disability service providers and recognise(s) the Australian Government is making efforts to address this issue’.

“It’s heartening to see heavy emphasis from national institutions about what can be done to better support the approximately 4.4 million Australians with disability.

“Out of this, I would like to see a more optimised whole-of-government approach when it comes to developing relevant policies and pieces of legislation for the sector. I’d also urge the government to engage with more innovative service providers, who are offering alternative solutions to ease the worker shortage crisis.”

Thanks to his support worker, Shepparton resident, Michael Curtis, took part in the Great Victorian Bike Ride.

The 60-year-old, who has participated in the statewide race before, was able to start enjoying his love of cycling via the race after being linked with his support worker.

Mr Curtin, who has hereditary spastic paraplegia and mental illness, said life was there to be lived. 

“You can either sit around and whinge about how you are and what you've got, or just go away and live life, the best you can. And that's what I do,” he said.

Mr Curtis has been with his Carer Solutions support provider for three years now and through the support received he has been empowered to take part in community events.

Ms Morrell said in response to the disability royal commission and the NDIS Review, it’s important that support worker labour shortages are urgently addressed to enable more partnerships like the one between Mr Curtis and his support worker.

“The wonderful relationship between Michael and Kevin is a fabulous example of people with disability being empowered to choose who they want to work with,” she said.

“The reality is that we need to do more to support disability support workers around the country who work with the 4.4 million Australians living with disability, so that more people with disability can access recreational events that some may take for granted.”