Brief Summary: NDS' The State of the Disability Sector Report 2022
This article is part of NDIS Business Advisory Series, feel free to reach out to me for further engagement at [email protected].
The National Disability Services State of the Sector report for 2022 is an essential resource for mid-size NDIS organisations. It offers a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of the disability sector in Australia, based on a survey of NDS members including service providers, peak bodies, and industry stakeholders. This report can help mid-size organisations understand the challenges and opportunities facing the sector and make informed decisions about their own strategies and operations. Additionally, the report provides valuable insights into the views and experiences of other organisations in the sector, which can be useful for benchmarking and identifying best practices.
The National Disability Services (NDS) has released its annual State of the Sector report for 2022, offering a detailed look at the current state and future prospects of the disability sector in Australia. The report is based on a survey of NDS members, including disability service providers, peak bodies, and industry stakeholders.
One of the key findings of the report is a growing optimism among disability providers about the direction of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) reforms under the new federal government. 43% of respondents believe that policy changes are heading in the right direction, compared to just 25% the previous year. This optimism is reflected in the financial performance of providers, with 46% reporting profits in 2021-22, compared to 45% who predicted profits in the previous year's survey.
However, the report also highlights significant challenges facing the sector, particularly in relation to the economy and the workforce. 67% of respondents believe that economic conditions have worsened, and 36% expect to make a loss in the coming year. This is causing concern for the sustainability of disability services, with many providers unable to meet demand due to a shortage of qualified staff. Recruiting and retaining suitably qualified staff remains a major challenge, with a skills shortage becoming a full-blown labour shortage in some areas. This includes not only support workers, but also allied health clinicians, IT and HR professionals.
Regulatory issues are also causing concern for providers. Over 40% expressed concern about the Quality and Safeguarding Framework, with many feeling that it adds unnecessary administrative burden without necessarily improving outcomes. There are also issues with the Disability Employment Services (DES) system, with 48% of DES providers believing that reforms are heading in the wrong direction, and only 4% taking a positive view of the digital services model for job seekers rolled out in July.
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The report also highlights the impact of ongoing reforms and constant change on the disability sector. Many leaders have spent a significant amount of time dealing with NDIS changes, and disability workers are feeling exhausted by the constant need to learn new systems and navigate complex administrative processes. This "change fatigue" is having a negative impact on the sector and the ability to deliver quality services.
Despite these challenges, the NDS remains cautiously optimistic about the year ahead and the potential for progress in the sector. The new federal government appears to be heading in the right direction with its NDIS reforms, but it will be important for policy makers to work closely with providers and listen to their insights and expertise in order to achieve meaningful reform. The real experts in the disability sector are often those on the ground, and it is vital that their voices are heard in the policy making process.
I would like to invite you to read the comprehensive report, and a better understanding on the state of the disability sector.
Source:
National Disability Services (NDS). (2022). State of the Disability Sector Report. Retrieved from https://www.nds.org.au/about/state-of-the-disability-sector-report