NDIS Minister Shorten praises new government initiatives

Key points:

• The Australian Government has allocated $375,000 dollars to improve training for young people who start working as disability support workers
• NDIS Minister Bill Shorten commented on the importance of the allocated funds and highlighted the ‘significant role support workers play’
• Another government initiative, the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program, encourages Australians who identify as neurodivergent to apply for Services Australia roles

The Australian Government has allocated $375,000 dollars for a ‘recruitment initiative and leadership diploma, which aims to upskill young people entering the disability workforce.’ 

The new workforce recruitment initiative, referred to as Growing a skilled disability support workforce, will use $300,000 dollars to increase public opinion and encourage more Australians to choose disability support work for their careers. 

The remaining $75,000 dollars will be used by AbilityFirst, a disability provider advocacy organisation, to evaluate, manage and complete its accreditation of the Diploma of Leadership in Disability Services.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten highlighted that the government’s funding allocation aims to improve training outcomes for people starting their careers in disability care.

“This initiative celebrates Australians with disabilities as active, contributing members of their communities and seeks to elevate understanding of the significant role support workers play,” he said.

“Through this initiative, we aim to inspire a new wave of compassionate, dedicated individuals to join the disability support worker ranks, enriching their own lives and those they support.”

Minister Shorten commented on why funding was specifically allocated to developing leadership skills in new disability support workers. 

“Leadership is as important in the disability sector as it is in any other, and the government is committed to building a professional, experienced workforce,” he said.

“The future of the disability workforce and for all people with disability will be brighter when we have more leaders with the capability to drive the sector forward.” 

In addition to the $375,000 dollars to better train and engage disability support workers, the Australian Government has opened the latest application round for the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program in Adelaide. 

This program aims to provide a supportive and inclusive recruitment process for prospective employees who are neurodivergent, with successful applicants filling roles at Services Australia.

Minister Shorten also recently commented on the value of improving workplace inclusivity in government sectors through the Aurora program. 

“[…] [Some] Australians are neurodivergent and have a lot to offer Services Australia so it’s important the workforce matches that diversity,” he said.

“I encourage anyone based in Adelaide who is eligible and interested in a career in the public service to apply.”

To be eligible for the program, applicants must have either a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder.

The current positions on offer in the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program in Adelaide are:

• Administrative Support Officer: APS 3;
• Associate Test Engineer: APS 4;
• Test Engineer: APS 5;
• Program Officer: APS 5;
• Systems Administrator: APS 5; and
• Lawyer: APS 5.

The current intake for the Aurora program in Adelaide ends on August 18, 2024 and applications should be made on the Employ for Ability website.  

Michael applied through the Aurora program and expressed gratitude for being able to experience a new role.

“I decided to apply to the Aurora program as I felt the role would be challenging and something I haven’t been formally exposed to,” he said.

“The one message I would send to future candidates is to apply for the role and see where it takes you.”

Approximately eight percent of Australian Public Service employees consider themselves to be neurodivergent.

The Aurora Neuroinclusion Program will hold further recruitment rounds in Brisbane and Canberra in the next six months. 

The benefits of hiring people with disability can include increased morale in the workplace, different methods of solving problems and greater levels of teamwork and cohesion.

Read more about the positive impacts of improving workplace diversity in this article: Why are inclusive workplaces so important?

What are your thoughts on the Aurora Neuroinclusion Program?

Let the team at Talking Disability know on social media. 

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