Stop Losing Your Best Workers: How Smart Training Cuts Staff Turnover

I speak to disability support providers all week, every week. As such, I am acutely aware of the challenges they face. One of the primary concerns that our customers share with us is the problem of staff turnover.

If you’re a disability support organisation in Australia, you’re all too familiar with the numbers. According to an NDIS report, staff turnover (for a casual disability support workforce) is around 25% annually. This means that a typical 40-person team faces the departure of 10 workers each year—and the subsequent crushing, often unrecognised, financial burden.

The hidden cost? Somewhere around $18,500 (or more) annually in recruitment costs alone.

What a waste! This is based on a conservative estimate of spending $1,850 to recruit, equip and start each new team member.

The Real Cost of Staff Turnover (It’s More Than You Think)

Let’s break down what replacing each disability support worker actually costs an organisation:

• Recruitment expenses: Job ads, background checks, etc…
• Training and onboarding: The time that you are paying the new staff members to do time-consuming onboarding training and familiarisation, while they are not working yet
• Insurance: Public liability and professional indemnity coverage
• Lost productivity: The time that you and your already stretched team spends on recruitment instead of client care

For hiring managers and CFOs, these aren’t just numbers—they represent strategic resources being drained from your core mission.

The Strategic Solution: Investing in Your People

The most successful disability support providers I’ve worked with understand a fundamental truth: retention is more cost-effective than recruitment.

Here’s how strategic training investment transforms your bottom line:

1. Reduce Turnover by up to 20% Through Professional Development

Professional development programs, such as micro-credentials and leadership training, enhance the confidence and job satisfaction of disability support workers. Research by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, and HESTA have shown that such initiatives can reduce turnover by 10-20%. For a 40-worker team, this translates to approximately $3,700 in annual recruitment cost savings alone.

2. Reclaim Your Time

Time-poor leaders spend countless hours on recruitment cycles. Based on our own customer feedback, online, self-paced training systems can reduce onboarding time by 50%, freeing up managers to focus on strategic priorities and client outcomes. It also gets your new workers working sooner!

3. Stay Ahead of NDIS Compliance

With 2025’s stricter NDIS reforms, compliance isn’t optional—it’s survival. Comprehensive training aligned with the NDIS Skills Descriptor, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework, and the Code of Conduct reduces audit risks and penalties while maintaining funding eligibility.

4. Attract Top Talent

In today’s competitive market, offering professional development isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s essential for attracting quality candidates who view your organisation as an employer of choice.

The ROI That CFOs Love

Consider this scenario: A disability support provider with 40 staff invests in comprehensive online training, reducing turnover from 25% to 20%. The savings:

• Direct recruitment cost savings: Some of, or all of $1,850+ annually
• Reduced onboarding time: 50% efficiency gain
• Improved NDIS compliance: Reduced audit risks and penalties
• Enhanced client outcomes: Better-trained staff deliver higher quality care

With NDIS pricing increases of 3.95% effective July 1, 2025, investing in retention now ensures you can maximise funding while maintaining workforce stability.

Transform Your Team for Less Than a Cup of Coffee Per Week

Here’s the compelling reality: For just $2.95 (or less) per staff member per week – less than half the cost of a weekly cup of coffee – your entire team can gain unlimited access to comprehensive professional development.

That’s right. The investment that could save your organisation up to, or more than $18,500+ annually in recruitment costs alone works out to less than $3 per week, per employee.

This affordable investment provides:

• 100+ high-quality online training courses specifically designed for disability support professionals
• NDIS compliance training to keep your organisation audit-ready
• Professional development opportunities that boost staff confidence and retention
• Evidence-based best practices that transform the quality of care you provide
• Flexible, accessible learning that fits around your team’s busy schedules

Making It Happen: Your Next Steps

The disability support sector faces unprecedented challenges, but forward-thinking leaders are turning these challenges into competitive advantages. By investing in comprehensive, accessible training that empowers your workforce, you’re not just reducing costs—you’re building a stronger, more skilled team that delivers exceptional client outcomes.

The question isn’t whether you can afford to invest in high-quality online training. It’s whether you can afford not to.

Every person living with a disability deserves exceptional care and support to reach their full potential. When you invest in your team’s development, you’re not just improving your bottom line—you’re transforming lives. That’s why we are here!

Ready to transform your workforce strategy? Connect with a training provider who understands the unique challenges of disability support and can deliver NDIS-aligned solutions tailored to your team’s needs.

Written by Matthew Crawford, PGCert(Bus)

Matt has over a decade of experience in B2B sales and business development and with a passion for human services, is deeply committed to driving meaningful solutions within the disability sector. His commitment to improving service quality and his deep understanding of client needs make him a trusted partner in advancing the capabilities of organisations that support people with disability across Australia.