Darwin NDIS Provider Workforce Symposium
Thur 17th October 2024

Thank you to all who attended the Symposium
After a whirlwind week in Melbourne and 2 amazing days in Darwin I have to admit that the most rewarding part of my role is knowing that I have created a positive impact for so many who invest their time in attending these events .
It’s a rewarding experience knowing that so many have used the time to engage , connect , collaborate, share, learn from the experts and put into practice much of what has been learned.

On my journey in striving to make a difference, I am personally rewarded when I see so many individuals from different spaces share their passion , their challenges and willingness to collaborate for the better good.
Thank you Darwin. I am humbled by your community spirit evident at the NDISLINK Provider Workforce Symposium held yesterday at the Oaks Elan Darwin
I extend a special thank you to Kristy-Anne Obst of Industry Skills Advisory Council NT - ISACNT , Mark Hunn of Provider Launch , Peggy Cheong of NT WorkSafe , Chris Molnar of Kennedys Law Firm, Katherine Newton and Lesley Whatson of SAL Consulting Pty Ltd

Lynn Gabriel - National Conference Producer and Client Director

Here is a short video from the Darwin Symposium

Major Sponsors

Agenda

8.30am - 8.55am

9.00am - 9.10am

9.15am - 9.45am

9.45am - 10. 00am

10.00am - 10.30am

10.30am - 10.45am

10.45am - 11.15am

11.15am - 11.45am

11.45am - 12.30pm

12.30pm - 1.00pm

1.00pm - 1.35pm

1.35pm - 1.50pm

1.50pm - 2.00pm

Registration and Arrival

Welcome and Introductions

Navigating the Implications of Workplace Updates and Legislative Reforms for NDIS Sector

This presentation will cover the following from a legal perspective:

Psychosocial risks in the NDIS workplace
The impact of the Secure Jobs Better Pay Act and the Closing the Loopholes Bill on providers

Building a Future-Ready Workforce for NDIS Providers: Aligning Skills Development, Training, and Industry Collaboration

This presentation will explore how NDIS providers can strengthen their workforce by leveraging the expertise and resources of the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT (ISACNT).

ISACNT plays a critical role in aligning vocational education and training (VET) programs with the specific needs of the NDIS sector, ensuring providers have access to a skilled, qualified, and future-ready workforce.

The event will cover key areas such as workforce development, tailored training programs, policy advocacy, and industry collaboration to address current skills shortages and anticipate future demands in the disability sector. Attendees will gain insights into how ISACNT supports NDIS providers in building sustainable, effective teams that can deliver high-quality care and navigate the growing complexities of the NDIS landscape.

Strategies to attract, keep and train workers across the care and support sector to ensure a capable and sufficient disability workforce

Morning Tea

Building a Proactive Leadership Strategy within your Corporate Governance

As you grow your business, the importance of the leadership strategies embedded in your governance structure increases. Those individuals and systems that you transfer authorities too can make or break your business. Hear the guidelines Mark has built over 23 years consulting on governance structures internationally, drawing on the lessons of over ten large corporations.

Understand the minimum requirements for complaints and incident management systems for all persons receiving funding under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act) including how to deal with reportable incidents

Attendees will understand :

What are the requirements for complaints and incident management systems
Practice standards requirements
NDIS rule requirements
Common non conformances
Tips to document this at audit

Lunch

Motivating Staff in the Community Services Sector
“How do I motivate my staff?” is the number one question all Managers have in the community services sector. Thankfully, Mark will bring his 23 years of experience and Doctoral research findings to uncover why motivation is a factor in community services, what causes it, and how we can proactively address this issue in our workforce. Mark’s presentation will leave you with practical answers to build your staffing levels, create resilient staff and reduce burnout.

Managing psychosocial workplace hazards in the Disability Sector -

by NT Worksafe

Q & A

Networking and close

Speaker Bios are currently being updated Program subject to change slightly. NDISLINK Conferences and Events are is not responsible for Speaker changes due to unforeseen circumstances. All attendees will be advised of any changes 3 days prior to the event. We are unable to advise of changes except on the day of the event, should the Speaker be unable to attend on the day of the event. We will endeavour to find a replacement speaker for the same topic or produce an online zoom version on the day should it permit.

All attendees have the option to join the SILSDA Networking event with Supported Independent Living Providers and SDA Professionals in the same Venue from 4.30pm!

Join the SDA Networking Event from 4.30pm - 7.00pm

Join Supported Independent Living Providers, SDA Providers, Builders, Developers, SIL providers and more

Enjoy canapes and connect with the right people

Presentation for 15 mins.

Networking cost $95pp or

Disability Workforce Symposium plus Networking event $290pp

More details

KEY NOTE SPEAKERS

Mark Hunn

Provider Launch

Mark is the CEO of Engage Abilities and Principal Partner at Provider Launch.

He has a Bachelors’ degree in Psychology and Law, a Masters in Law and is currently completing his Doctorate in Corporate Leadership in the NDIS.

He is a Practicing Solicitor with over 23 years in governance and compliance within the corporate, government and NGO sectors.

Within these, he specialises in governance systems, risk mitigation and imbedding high quality systems within policy and procedure.

Mark’s passion is upskilling others to build their capacity as corporate leaders, resulting in high quality services, lower risk and increasing profit margins.

Kristy-Anne Obst

Industry Skills Advisory Council NT

Darwin bred for over 35 years.
Kristy is an Early Childhood Educator and has owned several successful businesses in childcare and hospitality.
Her background is in Early Childhood, Education, Hospitality, Construction, and Business Management.
The portfolio she is managing with ISCANT is Health and Community Services, Education and Sports & Recreation, and she began her journey with ISACNT in July 2024.

Chris Molnar

Kennedys Law Firm

Chris Molnar

Partner at Kennedys | Accredited Specialist in Workplace Relations

Chris Molnar is a workplace relations partner at Kennedys. He has practised in the area of workplace relations for over 25 years. He has extensive experience and knowledge in industrial relations, employment law, occupational health and safety, and discrimination. Chris is accredited as a specialist in Workplace Relations by the Law Institute of Victoria. He was the recipient of the prestigious President’s Award in 2009 from the Law Institute of Victoria for his contribution to the specialisation scheme. In 2016 he was awarded the LIV Rogers Legal Writing Award for the best contribution in 2015 to the Law Institute Journal.

Chris has acted for individuals, corporations and public sector agencies in a wide range of areas.

Peggy Cheong

NT Worksafe

Peggy Cheong is the Executive Director of NT WorkSafe and is responsible for the regulation and administration of work health and safety, dangerous goods, electrical safety, and workers’ compensation and rehabilitation laws in the Northern Territory.

Peggy is an experienced litigation lawyer and accredited mediator, with nearly 30 years of substantial experience mostly in the areas of regulatory compliance, work health and safety, workers’ compensation, and employment law.

She has held various roles within the Northern Territory legal sector, including as a long-time member and current president of the Council of the Law Society of the Northern Territory, a board member of the Darwin Community Legal Services Inc., and a volunteer at the Top End Women’s Legal Service. Prior to joining NT WorkSafe, she was the Deputy Chair of the NT Workers’ Rehabilitation and Compensation Advisory Committee.

Peggy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Western Australia and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Queensland. With her extensive experience and strong community focus, Peggy is pivotal in guiding the work health and safety systems in the Northern Territory.

Katherine Newton

SAL Consulting

Executive Manager, Training & Applied

Learning

Katherine Newton has worked in the health and human services sector for nearly 30 years, including the past 20 years in adult education.

She has developed accredited and professional development programs that strengthen and develop people’s skills and knowledge.

She is currently the Executive Manager of Training and Applied Learning at SAL Consulting.

She has a life-long passion in supporting people to participate in training and education programs that focus on workforce development and creating strong links between education and the workplace.

Lesley Whatson

SAL Consulting

Lesley has been working in the disability sector since 1987 and has a special interest in the mental health of children and young people with intellectual disability.

She has been actively involved in the development of practice relating to interdisciplinary collaboration, family and systemic practice and trauma-informed frameworks for supporting people with intellectual disability; she has been involved in research, and the delivery of training, supervision and mentoring in these areas for many years.

Lesley has also worked at an organisational level, across government and non-government agencies, contributing to the development of policy and practice guidelines, and building the capacity of the sector to deliver Positive Behaviour Support. For almost eight years, she has worked for SAL Consulting in a regulatory role, ensuring the compliance of the agency across sectors and jurisdictions.

Lesley holds a Master of Arts (Special Education) and is registered in the NDIS as an Advanced / Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner.