The National Disability Insurance Scheme is among the most important government schemes in Australia. Since its inception in 2013 and full national rollout in 2016, the NDIS has transformed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australians living with disability, delivering more agency to scheme participants, which now number over half a million Australians.

Most observers—be they government, advocates, participants, or workers—recognise, however, that the scheme remains imperfect, and there is room for improvement. And while NDIS participants interests’ must remain at the heart of all decision-making regarding reforms and adjustments to how the NDIS operates, the interests of the workers who make the NDIS possible are also vital.

This report examines the challenges facing the NDIS workforce, and why a novel Portable Entitlements Scheme for NDIS workers is a necessary policy intervention that will help deliver better care for NDIS participants, better employment conditions for NDIS workers, and better value for money for taxpayers that fund the NDIS.