Jan McLucas (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers) Share this | Hansard source

I think it is really exciting that the NDIS will bring with it great and enormous job opportunities, but, in saying that, there are also significant challenges that we are dealing with. The government appointed an expert working group to advise on the issues affecting sector capacity and workforce issues as we transition to an NDIS. Their work has been very extensive and ongoing. We are also working to continue this work as we progress, including the need for a forward looking comprehensive workforce strategy. We have had conversations with some of the unions around that question as well. This must consider the move to individualised funding and the impact of that on working arrangements, and it is also a part of the broader work we are doing on consumer directed care. That is the interface that we are talking about. It is an issue that we are very alive to, and we intend to work very closely with all relevant stakeholders as we meet and beat the challenge that is in front of us. It is a big challenge and we are growing a large workforce of people. The questions of quality are real and we will ensure that we do provide a quality workforce. That is absolutely fundamental to the delivery of a quality scheme.