Minister for Social Services Christian Porter announced this morning that NDS will administer a $4m Fund to support providers innovating in key areas of work design and workforce arrangements over two years, starting in 2017.

The Australian Government has also provided funding for the development of a robust innovation framework to guide the Fund. Projects supported through the Fund will be evaluated and the resulting knowledge will be communicated broadly to the sector to ensure maximum benefit is gained.

The Fund will be guided by an Innovation Advisory Group representing stakeholders in the disability and mental health sectors, including Mental Health Australia.

Grants under the Fund will fall into four streams:

• Stream 1: Redesign support worker roles and test new work roles
• Stream 2: Streamlined practices in areas such as human resources, recruitment and retention of staff and work arrangements
• Stream 3: Use of technology in workforce practices
• Stream 4: Workforce development in rural and remote areas (including Indigenous workers)

Strategies to build capacity to attract and develop the workforce in thin markets and in allied health are a priority.

In welcoming the new Fund, NDS Chief Executive Ken Baker said that support for service providers to design new workforce practices would help the NDIS meet the challenges that lie before it.

He noted that the existence of the Fund and its priorities are “directly aligned with the path-breaking study NDS undertook in 2014 for the federal government, Roadmap to a Sustainable Workforce.”

In coming weeks NDS will provide further information about the timing and process for eligible individuals and organisations which are interested in applying for grants.

In the meantime, please send an email to this address to register your interest: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..