NDIA Providers – Stay Up to Date with Sector Developments: The Refreshed Participant Employment Strategy

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  • NDIS Providers
  • Provider Alert

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has launched its updated Participant Employment Strategy 2024-2026, aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities under the NDIS. This initiative follows commitments made by Bill Shorten in August 2022 to integrate employment goals more explicitly into NDIS planning processes.

What’s changed

Key targets outlined in the NDIA’s Corporate Plan 2023-2027 include achieving a 26% employment rate among participants. Currently, the employment rate stands at 23%, prompting the need for a revised strategy to bridge this gap. Feedback from participants highlighted challenges such as underutilisation of capacity-building supports for employment, inadequate assistance in securing jobs, and insufficient on-the-job support for those currently employed.

The refreshed Strategy prioritises improvements in planning quality and provider support, aiming to facilitate smoother transitions from school to work and align NDIS services with broader government employment initiatives. It emphasises accountability through performance and quality indicators, including reporting on employment outcomes across Disability Enterprises and inclusive employment settings.

The Strategy intends to address systemic barriers identified by participants, such as issues with wages and the Disability Support Pension. It also integrates recommendations from the NDIS Review and anticipates future responses to the Disability Royal Commission’s findings.

Why is this Important?

For NDIS providers, the Strategy highlights the importance of aligning service delivery with participant aspirations and ensuring transparent reporting on outcomes. By enhancing coordination with Disability Employment Services and other government supports, the NDIA aims to optimise participant satisfaction and career progression throughout the employment journey.

To stay informed on progress, you can access quarterly updates on employment outcomes through NDIS reports and explore research findings on pathways to employment.

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