Disability Workforce Retention Project

Based on research and consultation with our diverse partner organisations, WIDI understands that retention of appropriately skilled staff is an ongoing challenge for the disability sector, a challenge that has been exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, we partnered with Yooralla and Able Australia in partnership with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to explore the experience and intentions of ‘recent entrants’ to the disability sector. We spoke to recent entrants to the workforce, and their supervisors and managers, to understand their expectations, experiences, and factors influencing their intention to remain in or leave their roles.

Our researchers found that while disability support workers were highly committed and recognised the challenges facing their employers, the retention risk among recent entrants was high with 35% of participants reporting that they only intended to stay in their role for 6-12 months. The research identified multiple factors influencing workers’ intention to leave their employer including levels of preparedness and support, working conditions, safety and wellbeing, and access to training and career pathways.

Data and insights generated through this project have been shared with DFFH, Yooralla and Able Australia, and the peak body National Disability Services (NDS) to inform the design and implementation of employer, industry and government-led initiatives to increase worker retention in this vital sector.