The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has announced the establishment of a new Disability Care Industry Reference Committee (IRC).
The IRC will build on existing work within the IRC network and provide a dedicated focus to ensure that workers within the disability care sector have the specialist skills and knowledge required to deliver high quality and individualised care in an evolving market.
In announcing the Disability Care IRC, AISC Chair, Professor John Pollaers OAM, stated “People living with a disability and their families deserve the utmost assurance that the workforce is equipped with the most up to date skills to provide high quality, individualised care.”
“The demand for disability care workers is growing significantly – an estimated 90,000 full time equivalent employees will be needed to support the industry over the next five years. It is critical that those who are providing care, particularly long-term disability care, have the right skills and abilities to meet the specific needs of clients, whether in their home or a care facility.”
The Disability Care IRC will bring together industry, health professionals and other key stakeholders to identify the competencies needed by the disability workforce to deliver quality care and support that is consumer-focused.
“The IRC will have an important role in examining the skills requirements for current and emerging job roles across the sector, improved approaches to career progression, and the education pathways needed to support these.” Professor Pollaers said.
The AISC welcomes public feedback on the proposed structure and membership of the Disability Care IRC – available here.
Public comment is currently open and will close Friday, 11 January 2019.