More than 500,000 Australians are projected to earn an income through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by the 2025-26 financial year, according to Bill Shorten, the outgoing Minister for the NDIS.
In an article published by The Sydney Morning Herald, Shorten emphasised the scheme’s dual role in driving job growth and stabilising the economy during challenging financial times.
In his final comments before leaving federal politics to take on a university role, Shorten disclosed that the NDIS workforce has grown to an equivalent of 311,000 full-time positions. The projection for the 2025-26 financial year highlights an increasing demand for disability support workers, allied health professionals, plan managers, and administrative roles tied to the $49 billion program.
Shorten also addressed criticism of the program’s growing costs, asserting that the economic benefits of the scheme are often overlooked.
“The NDIS employs more people directly than the mining industry,” he said, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald. “It is an unsung hero of low unemployment and employment growth over the last decade since its creation.”
Internal analysis by Shorten’s office showed that the NDIS workforce has grown by 18% in the past year, with full-time equivalent roles forecast to reach 311,000 by 2025-26.
For context, other key industries like mining and agriculture employ approximately 314,000 and 309,000 workers, respectively. Disability support workers and allied health providers accounted for 92% of NDIS workforce spending during the last financial year.
Shorten emphasised that the scheme’s economic impact extends beyond direct employment. He noted that family members who might otherwise provide unpaid care now have the opportunity to participate in the workforce, contributing to higher levels of female workforce participation.
Despite its benefits, the scheme has faced criticism for its ballooning costs and its effect on other sectors of the economy.
Economist Chris Richardson noted that while the NDIS provides substantial societal value, it comes with significant taxpayer costs.
Shorten acknowledged these concerns, citing efforts to reduce annual spending growth from nearly 20% to closer to 8%. He also highlighted bipartisan support for legislative reforms aimed at reducing fraud and misuse within the system.
As part of his final initiatives, Shorten announced the NDIS First Nations Strategy 2025-2030.
The strategy aims to improve access to culturally safe services for First Nations Australians with disabilities and was developed with input from over 650 First Nations participants, advocates, and community leaders.
“The strategy represents a commitment to meaningful action to address systemic barriers and challenges for First Nations people who are already on the scheme, and for those who need supports but may not yet have them,” Shorten said.
The strategy includes the creation of a First Nations Reference Group within the NDIA’s Independent Advisory Council. The group is set to hold its first meeting in February 2025 and will provide targeted advice on policies affecting First Nations participants.
Dr Janine Mohamed, deputy CEO of the NDIA and a Narungga Kaurna woman, has been instrumental in leading efforts to embed cultural safety within the agency.
“For us, it’s about equity for current and future participants and improving experiences and outcomes for them. I really want to make participants and everyone else involved in their lives feel valued and culturally safe,” she said.
