The introduction of the NDIS and individual funding for people with disability is driving the growth of digital platforms in the Australian service landscape. People with disability can now choose providers of support services, by accessing profiles created and posted on the digital platforms by individual support workers.

This project involved interviews with platform users (support workers, people with disability and their carers) and a desktop scan on the state of knowledge of platform work in the NDIS market and others. It explored working conditions (such as pay, training and incident management) and the choice and control offered for people with disability.

Key recommendations:

• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission should consider regulatory options for unregistered digital platforms.
• Government should pursue updates to Australia’s industrial relations regime to clarify the roles and responsibilities of platforms to workers listed on them.
• Further investment is needed in development of the support workforce, including employment-based training models.