Rockhampton employment and training agencies prepare for NDIS

Rockhampton employment and training agencies attended a local workshop today to learn more about jobs and business opportunities that will flow to Central Queensland from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

In Rockhampton for Community Cabinet, Disability Services Minister Coralee O’Rourke joined NDIS ambassador and former Paralympian Karni Liddell at the “NDIS: Creating Jobs for Rockhampton” forum at Central Queensland University, where the Minister launched an online NDIS calendar.

Mrs O’Rourke said the two-hour workshop was a great way for job and training agencies to explore ways to tap into future NDIS growth, which will generate 13,000 jobs in the state’s disability sector.

“The rollout of the NDIS from July 2016 is the biggest reform in the sector since Medicare, and the Palaszczuk Government is committed to ensuring an efficient transition,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“The NDIS will improve the lives of people with disability, as well as creating jobs in the disability sector and entrepreneurial opportunities in the broader community,” she said.

“Job agencies have to start preparing now for that increased demand, and training organisations need to get on board to skill people up in the sector.

“Preparedness is the key to taking full advantage of the NDIS as we get closer to the rollout.”

Queensland NDIS ambassador and former Paralympian Karni Liddell said the NDIS represented a great opportunity for people to establish a career path within the disability sector.

“We will be looking for support workers, allied health professionals, administration personnel and marketing and business experts … the possibilities are endless,” she said.

"For the first time people with disabilities will be able to choose who they want to work with and what equipment they require to enhance our lives, which will enable us to live, work and play better.

"With the right equipment and support, we will have an opportunity to be able to live our best possible life by contributing to society and to the economy."

Mrs O’Rourke also launched a new online calendar that will allow Queenslanders with disability, their families, carers and others in the sector to find out about upcoming NDIS-readiness events.

“Through this online calendar, organisations can now submit any public NDIS events, allowing Queenslanders to search for the type of event they are interested in,” she said.

“The new calendar will also assist organisations to plan events and minimise overlap, which is particularly important for events in regional Queensland.”

The new calendar is available at www.communities.qld.gov.au/ndis

For more information on the NDIS, visit www.ndis.gov.au or call the NDIS Hotline on 1800 800 110. For people with hearing or speech loss, call TTY 1800 555 677.

Media Contact: Minister O’Rourke’s office 3719 7184