Responsibility: Australian, state and territory governments
Joint response: Accept in principle
Status: Further work required
What has been achieved to date
All governments remain committed to working together to progress this recommendation.
The NDIA is leading work to better understand and alleviate disability support workforce challenges in remote communities, including by scoping a NDIS First Nations Market and Sector Strategy. In the meantime, the NIAA, NDIA and DSS are working collaboratively to test new approaches to better support local job seekers fill disability support roles in the community. This includes establishing two pilot projects that are supporting Community Development Program (CDP) participants into NDIS related jobs, a Remote Care Jobs Community of Practice, and guidance for CDP providers to navigate the NDIS. These efforts complement the Government’s $707 million Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program, which launched on 11 December 2024. The RJED program will create up to 3,000 jobs over three years in remote Australia, including in the care sector.
What the Disability Royal Commission said in the final report
The First Nations Disability Forum and parties to the Disability Sector Strengthening Plan (DSSP) should collaborate to develop a strategy to develop First Nations local workforces in remote communities. The strategy should consider:
- funding for community-level assessments to determine:
- existing infrastructure and resources
- the capacity and willingness of the First Nations community-controlled sector to support local workforce development
- the level of demand within the community
- that allocation of funding for local workforce development should include funding to build the capacity of family members to provide care.
the strategy should be co-developed and co-implemented with First Nations Community Controlled Organisations, noting their capacity, expertise and willingness to be involved. The involvement of First Nations Community Controlled Organisations must be adequately supported and funded.
Australian Government Response July 2024
The Australian Government and state and territory governments support in principle the development of a strategy to develop First Nations local workforces in remote communities that is co-developed and co-implemented with First Nations Community Controlled Organisations. First Nations communities will play a key role in the flexible design and delivery of supports and services to First Nations people with disability and people living in remote areas.
More recommendations
View progress on other recommendations made by the Royal Commission.