Wimmera and Grampians jobs could be privatised under National Disability Insurance Scheme rollout

The Department of Health and Human Services currently provides about 30 homes for people with disabilities across the Wimmera and Grampians.

As part of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, due to be rolled out in October 2017, the government is investigating which services can be privatised.

A source within the department said private providers were not yet ready to completely take over the residential services.

“It affects people in the Wimmera, something like 26 to 30 houses including Ararat, Stawell, Nhill, Horsham and St Arnaud,” the source said.

“They are going to contract it out and hand it out to non-government organisations across the state.

“They are saying because of the NDIS, this is part of the deal, but they don’t have to and no one is ready to take over the services. They have run it for years and are now wiping their hands of it.”

The source also said there was uncertainty surrounding the potential job losses the privatisation of disability services would cause.

“Daniel Andrews promised before the election that he would not privatise these services, now he has gone back on his word,” the source said. “They are saying there will be jobs, but they won’t say what they are and what they will be, nothing has been finalised.”

The government has played down concerns, saying services will only be transferred if providers can show they have the expertise and ability to take on the role.

Minister for Disability Martin Foley said the government was committed to seeing staff treated fairly through the significant change and recognised the high level of care provided.

“The Victorian government is working to ensure that when the NDIS comes to each new area, people with disabilities can expect that the range of services they need to live full and active lives will be ready,” he said.