Allied health worker shortages across the country could put Australians living with a disability at risk of slipping through the cracks, a new report says.
High staff turnover rates, lack of permanent work and reduced hours are contributing to a worker shortage in the sector, the report conducted by the peak body for disability says.
The report found difficulty accessing allied health services could be a contributing factor to National Disability Insurance Scheme funds being underutilised, particularly in remote areas.
Data collected as part of the National Disability Services workforce census found the permanent employment rate for allied health workers had declined from 83 to 78 per cent.
The turnover rate for allied health employees increased over the survey period, from 22 to 26 per cent for casuals, and from 10 to 12 per cent for permanent staff.
Questions must be answered about why there had been a drop in permanent employment rates for such a sought-after workforce group, Allied Health Professions Australia said.
Policy and advocacy manager Chris Atmore said one factor could be difficulty in ensuring allied health workers are provided with appropriate supervision and mentoring, due to increasing provider costs.
The report shines a light on the continued disruption the sector has faced over the last financial year and there is urgent need for collaboration between industry and government, NDS chief Laurie Leigh said.
“With the … job and skills summit coming up in a few weeks, now is the time for the government and providers to come together to ensure we are moving forward with the right measures to ensure disability workforces are supported during this turbulent period for the sector,” she said.
“This report also highlights the ongoing issues faced by the disability sector in recruiting the allied health workforce needed, especially to provide services in remote and very remote areas.”
