“Winter and flu season means we need to ensure that people with disabilities continue to be supported when the workforce is struck by illness,” Mr Sullivan said. 

“This register is a proactive step designed to identify skilled disability workers able to be called up on a short-term basis when there are critical local workforce shortages.”

The register is looking for former disability support worker or final placement student:

• with appropriate worker clearances and police checks, and

• prepared to do paid shifts over winter when there is a critical local need.

The National Disability Insurance Agency and IPA Personnel have built the register so qualified disability support workers can be deployed locally on a short-term basis.

To join the Winter Relief Workforce register, go to 

Disability staff shortages come as an ACTU survey from February showed almost a third of the country’s 2,500 disability support workers indicated they wanted to be in a different job within 12 months. 

A parliamentary report into the NDIS also found the sector was facing a shortfall and needed to grow by 83,000 staff in the next two years to keep up with demand.

Disability support providers can contact NDIA Provider Support by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or lodge a 13A notification with the Commission to access to the register.

Among the more than 50 members of Catholic Social Services Australia, disability care is one of the most common services provided. 

Tens of thousands of Australians with disability are supported by CSSA providers each year.

CTC offers Ageing Persons and Pastoral Care Study Online

Six Saturdays starting 30 July finishing October 

The recently concluded Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety indicates some of the challenges and complexities in providing effective care for older citizens. Political, social and economic costs abound on the way forward. This unit, presented by Rev. Dr Laurence McNamara, Director of the Navigating Ageing Project, provides a  Gospel perspective which calls us to collaborate in the building of a just and compassionate society. 

 

This unit can be taken as  part of a postgraduate award, as a single unit, or for personal enrichment (no credit/assessment).