Almost 900 young people aged 15 to 24 have taken part in the Tasmanian trial.

In the next few years that could increase to more than 10,000 people of all ages.

David Clements from National Disability Services said with that increase in participation would come a huge increase in employment.

“Somewhere in the vicinity of about 1,500 new positions should be created in this industry in two to three years time,” he said.

Mr Clements said the peak body of disability service providers was trying to head off skills gaps and a wages bubble.

“One of the potential concerns might be wage inflation,” he said.

“That’s part of the reason we’re doing this work now, to plan and manage the projected inflow of participants and therefore workers.”

Photo: Leon Chick hopes his son Aidan can secure a part-time job this year after benefiting from the NDIS. (ABC News: Tom Nightingale)

The NDIS trial has allowed 21-year-old Aidan Chick, who has Down syndrome, to learn to get around by himself.
His father Leon Chick said his son now takes a 20-minute bus ride twice a day, five days a week.

“It’s allowing him to have more choice in where he goes, what he does for his community access during the day,” he said.

Mr Chick said he was now hoping Aidan could even secure a part-time job.

“Last year it was the transport training, and gaining independence that way, this year we’re going to look at what options and how we can get him some employment options,” he said.

Nationally the NDIS trials have been criticised as frustrating and too bureaucratic.
But David Bowen from the NDIS said the Tasmanian trial had the highest satisfaction ratings in the country.

“It’s going well, but we’re quite keen to hear where there is room for improvement,” he said.

“I just told the participants here today, they’re the pioneers.”

The NDIS will be fully rolled out for people of all ages from the middle of next year.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news