Inside the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS): Your 60-Second Guide to a Government Career 📊
Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS)?
We’ve pored over their annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the NDIA—from its core functions and financials to the skills and qualifications they’re seeking in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or new to the workforce, this guide will give you the confidence to chart your path to a fulfilling government career.
AT-A-GLANCE:
Name of Department / Council: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS)
Location: Headquartered in Geelong, Victoria, with offices across Australia
CEO: Rebecca Falkingham (PSM)
Total Revenue (Scheme Expenditure 2023–24): Approx. $41.8 billion
Total Number of Employees: 6,500+ (estimate)
THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO
Top 5 Academic Qualifications Most Suited
Business Administration or Management
Helps oversee projects, budgets, and strategic planning across NDIS functions.
Public Policy / Public Administration
Valuable for shaping policy decisions and guiding effective implementation in a government setting.
Social Work or Human Services
Informs participant-focused planning, community engagement, and hands-on program delivery.
Accounting or Finance
Essential for budget management, financial reporting, and ensuring the NDIA’s large-scale funding is used effectively.
Information Technology
Critical for managing digital platforms, data analytics, and enhancing accessible e-services.
Top 5 Certifications Most Suited
Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP)
Streamlines project delivery and ensures consistent program implementation.
Certificate IV in Government
Builds knowledge of public-sector processes, governance, and compliance.
Certificate III/IV in Community Services
Equips you with practical, frontline skills for participant interactions and community outreach.
Finance / Bookkeeping Certifications
Strengthens capacity to handle grants, appropriations, and compliance within a government framework.
IT Service Management (e.g., ITIL)
Maintains crucial digital infrastructure and supports continuous improvement of participant-facing tools.
Top 5 Trades / Professions Most Suited
Administration Professionals
Provide essential office support, document management, and day-to-day operational assistance.
Customer Service Officers / Call Centre Operators
Act as the first line of contact for participant queries, delivering quick and accurate information.
Data Analysts
Interpret large datasets to inform policy development, track service quality, and manage costs.
Human Resources Specialists
Oversee recruitment, staff development, and employee well-being in a rapidly growing agency.
IT Technicians / Network Engineers
Keep systems running smoothly, ensuring reliable access for participants and staff.
Top 5 Skills Most Suited
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Builds trust with participants and promotes effective internal teamwork.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
Drives evidence-based planning and fosters innovation in service delivery.
Policy and Legislative Knowledge
Ensures the agency meets its legislative obligations and delivers compliant, impactful programs.
Financial Acumen
Critical for helping manage one of Australia’s largest social insurance schemes.
Project Coordination
Supports the successful rollout of new initiatives and improvements across the NDIA.
Top 5 Work Experiences Most Suited
Customer-Facing Roles (Gov or Private)
Demonstrates the ability to engage and assist people, a cornerstone of NDIA operations.
Community Engagement / Casework
Valuable for understanding diverse local needs and effectively delivering participant outcomes.
Policy Development or Research
Informs strategic decisions and ensures that programs are grounded in solid evidence.
Financial or Budget Management
Key to maintaining transparency and sustainability within a large funding environment.
IT Systems and Digital Projects
Enhances efficiency and ensures participants can access services with minimal technical barriers.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIS)
Name of CEO: Rebecca Falkingham (PSM)
Location: Australia-wide, with main offices in Geelong, Victoria
Year Founded: 2013 (under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013)
Main Mission and Purpose:
Mission: To empower individuals with significant and permanent disability through funding for “reasonable and necessary” supports, boosting independence, social participation, and economic engagement.
Real-World Impact Example: Funding for adaptive tech can help a participant enter or re-join the workforce, transforming their everyday life and future prospects.
Main Duties of the Department:
Oversee eligibility and planning for NDIS participants.
Monitor and manage financial sustainability of the NDIS.
Collaborate with community partners to expand disability awareness and inclusive practices.
Real-World Impact Example: A participant with complex support needs might receive coordinated therapy and home modifications that open up new possibilities, both socially and financially.
Key Projects, Strategic Priorities, Future Plans, and Initiatives:
Plan Process Enhancements: Simplifying participant pathways to improve satisfaction.
Data-Driven Decisions: Leveraging analytics to refine long-term policy and cost management.
Regional & Remote Outreach: Strengthening local solutions, especially in remote areas.
Implementation of NDIS Reforms: Ongoing improvements from the latest government reviews to elevate service quality.
Did You Know?
The NDIS now supports over 661,000 participants across Australia—one of the largest social policy reforms in the nation’s history!
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees: Approximately 6,500+
Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level:
Structured around the Australian Public Service (APS) framework (APS 3–APS 6, EL, SES).
Salary Bands:
Entry-Level APS (APS3–APS4): ~$66k – $78k
Mid-Level APS (APS5–APS6): ~$78k – $95k
Executive Level (EL1–EL2): ~$103k – $145k
Senior Executive Service (SES): $170k+
(Exact salaries can vary by agreement and location.)
Average Salary in the Department: Approximately $95k
Total Revenue (Scheme Expenditure 2023–24): Approx. $41.8 billion
(In the NDIA Annual Report 2023–24, this is classified as NDIS “annual spend” for participant supports.)
Average “Revenue” (Expenditure) per Employee: About $6.4 million
GETTING A JOB AT THE NDIA
Which Academic Subjects Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Community Services, Government (Policy), Business Administration, Project Management, IT
Why it helps: Gain hands-on skills that enhance day-to-day operations and frontline engagement.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Public Administration, Social Work, Law, Commerce, Data Analytics, Human Resources, Psychology
Why it helps: Broaden your professional scope, drive policy initiatives, or lead major projects.
PhDs:
Policy Analysis, Public Health, Economics, Disability Studies, Advanced Information Systems
Why it helps: Influence high-level strategy and guide cutting-edge research that benefits participants and the broader disability sector.
Which Trades and Professions Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
IT Support Technicians, System Administrators
Vital for secure and efficient technology use, ensuring participants can easily access services.
Communications Officers / Content Designers
Clarify crucial messages for internal teams and the wider public.
Administrative and Project Officers
Coordinate daily tasks and maintain smooth project delivery across the agency.
Procurement / Contract Management Specialists
Manage vendor relationships, obtaining value-for-money services for participants.
Records Management / Data Entry Clerks
Ensure the accuracy of participant data and consistent record-keeping.
Which Work Experiences Are Likely to Be Most Sought After?
Case Management or Community Engagement
Offers an understanding of diverse needs, fostering inclusive support strategies.
Policy or Program Development
Shapes effective implementation and continuous improvement of the NDIS.
Project / Change Management
Delivers efficient transitions within a large, evolving organisation.
Public Sector Roles
Familiarity with government compliance, reporting, and accountability processes.
Financial or Accounting Experience
Critical for overseeing large funding pools and ensuring correct allocation to participants.
Which Skills Are Likely to Be Most Sought After, and of Value, to This Department?
Soft Skills:
Empathy & Interpersonal Communication: Supports better understanding of participant journeys.
Adaptability & Resilience: Helps navigate policy changes and evolving participant needs.
Technical Skills:
Data Analysis & Reporting: Sharpens the evidence base for policy decisions.
IT & Digital Literacy: Improves operational and participant service delivery.
General Skills:
Organisational, Time-Management & Collaboration: Maintains efficiency and fosters productive teamwork.
Which Hobbies and Interests Align with the Work of This Department?
Volunteering & Community Service: Demonstrates empathy and a passion for inclusive communities.
Tech Enthusiasm: Stays current with trends in digital services and accessibility tools.
Problem-Solving / Strategy Games: Cultivates analytical thinking, useful for policy and operations.
Want more information on this department?
Contact the NDIA (Human Resources / Recruitment Team):
Address: GPO Box 700, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
Telephone: 1800 800 110
Email: enquiries@ndis.gov.au
Website: www.ndis.gov.au
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