Navigating the Skills in Demand Visa for NDIS Employers

The Skills in Demand Visa is becoming an increasingly important tool for NDIS providers looking to address workforce shortages and ensure quality disability support services. In the current landscape, where delivering effective NDIS support is crucial for Australians living with disabilities, attracting and retaining skilled workers is a top priority. This resource will guide you through everything you need to know about the Skills in Demand Visa program as it relates to NDIS employers, including its purpose, process, benefits, challenges, common professions, costs, and the difference it can make for disability support providers and participants.

What is the Skills in Demand Visa?

The Skills in Demand Visa (SDV) is a new permanent residency program being implemented by the Australian Government to replace the current Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (subclass 494) visas. The aim is to streamline and modernise Australia's skilled migration system, aligning it with current and future workforce needs – including the growing demand for disability support workers and allied health professionals under the NDIS.

Why is the Skills in Demand Visa Important for NDIS Employers?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has drastically increased the need for qualified disability support workers, support coordinators, allied health professionals (like physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists), and other care professionals. Australian NDIS providers often struggle to find local staff to fill these roles, especially in regional areas. The Skills in Demand Visa is designed to make it easier for employers to address skill shortages by recruiting skilled workers from overseas.

Key Points:

• Addresses workforce shortages in the disability sector.

• Helps maintain quality and continuity of care for NDIS participants.
• Supports NDIS providers in meeting compliance, service standards, and participant needs.

How Does the Skills in Demand Visa Work?

Overview of the Process

1. Labour Market Testing & Job Advertisement
   NDIS employers must demonstrate that they have advertised the job and tried to recruit local (Australian citizen/permanent resident) workers before seeking to sponsor a skilled migrant.

2. Selecting the Right Candidate

The employer identifies a candidate who has the necessary qualifications, experience, and credentials required for the role.

3. Sponsorship Application
   The employer applies to be an approved sponsor through the Department of Home Affairs. Existing 482 visa sponsors may transition to the new program.

4. Nomination Application
   The employer nominates the chosen overseas worker for a specific occupation on the Skills in Demand Visa occupation list.

5. Visa Application

The nominated worker applies for the visa, providing evidence of their skills, experience, English proficiency, and health and character checks.

6. Processing and Approval
   The Department processes the application. Once approved, the skilled worker may live and work in Australia, and in most streams, can transition to permanent residency.

How It Works in Australian Migration

The Skills in Demand Visa will have multiple streams to cater for different roles and skill levels, including:

• Specialist Skills Pathway: For experienced professionals in high-demand specialist fields.
• Core Skills Pathway: For in-demand skills including most NDIS-linked professions.

• Essential Skills Pathway: For vital support roles such as disability support worker (awaiting exact details).

Notable Features:

• Pathway to Permanent Residency: Simplifies the process for talented international NDIS workers to stay in Australia long term.
• Occupation Lists: Focuses on professions where Australia's workforce is lacking.

• Faster Processing Times: Designed to improve on the delays often faced with existing work visa subclasses.
• Supports Regional & Remote Recruitment: Recognises challenges for NDIS providers outside major cities.

Key Benefits and Features for NDIS Employers

• Addresses Worker Shortages: Enables access to a global talent pool for hard-to-fill NDIS roles.
• Improves Service Quality: Consistent staffing supports continuity of care, reliability, and improved participant outcomes.
• Reduces Administrative Burden: An updated, streamlined process compared to previous schemes.

• Better Integration: Allows overseas workers to settle and contribute fully to communities and to the NDIS workforce.
• Supports Provider Compliance: Helps meet NDIS Workforce Capability Framework standards.

Common Professions & Scenarios in the NDIS Sector

Most Often Sponsored Occupations

• Disability Support Worker
• Support Coordinator
• Allied Health Practitioners:

- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Speech Pathologist

- Psychologist
- Social Worker
- Behavioural Therapist

• Registered Nurse (Disability/Community Health)
• Special Needs Teacher/Education Aide
• Program Manager or Team Leader (Disability Services)

Real Scenarios

• Regional NDIS Provider:
  A provider in regional Queensland struggles to recruit physiotherapists for NDIS participants with mobility needs. Sponsoring a qualified candidate from overseas via the Skills in Demand Visa fills a long-standing vacancy.

• Growing Urban Provider:

An NDIS support coordination agency in Melbourne expands rapidly and needs more experienced bilingual support coordinators. Through the SDV, they hire a candidate from the UK with local NDIS experience and specialist language skills.

Costs, Fees & Timeframes

Employer Costs

• Sponsorship Application Fee: ~$420

• Nomination Fee: ~$330
• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy:
  • Small businesses (turnover < $10M): $1,200 per year

• Other businesses: $1,800 per year

Visa Applicant Costs

• Visa Application Fee:
  • To be confirmed (will be similar