The expanding role of complex care providers in disability care and support

The demand for complex care providers has grown steadily in recent years. As Australia’s population continues to age, more people are living with multiple, long-term health conditions alongside disability. This shift has increased the number of individuals requiring coordinated, specialised support and placed complex care at the centre of modern disability services.

Complex care providers play a critical role in supporting people with disability who have high or multifaceted needs. Their work extends beyond physical and medical assistance to include emotional and social support that promotes dignity, independence and quality of life. Through close collaboration with families, health professionals and community services, complex care providers help ensure support is both safe and responsive.

Defining complex care and why it matters

Complex care refers to support for individuals with multiple or chronic health, medical and functional needs. This includes people living with more than one physical disability, psychosocial disability or long-term health condition.

The aim of complex care is to support the whole person. This may involve medical assistance such as medication management or wound care, alongside non-medical supports that enable daily living. A key principle of complex care is balance — ensuring medical needs are met while supporting autonomy, choice and everyday routines.

Complex care providers work closely with families, community nursing teams and allied health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech pathologists. They also assist with monitoring and supporting the use of assistive technology, helping participants remain safe and engaged in their homes and communities.

These providers play an important role in meeting NDIS requirements and working alongside government services such as Services Australia and state-based departments of communities. The goal is coordinated, person-centred support that improves long-term outcomes for participants.

Roles and responsibilities of complex care providers

The role of a complex care provider is broad and tailored to the individual needs of each participant. Support may include:

Medical support
Medication administration, wound care and support for chronic or complex health conditions.

Personal care
Assistance with hygiene, nutrition, mobility and other daily living activities.

Behaviour support
Promoting emotional wellbeing and reducing reliance on restrictive practices through positive, evidence-based approaches.

Coordination with allied health services
Supporting integrated care plans that improve health and functional outcomes.

Supported Independent Living assistance
Helping participants build confidence and independence in their own homes.

Access to opportunities
Supporting engagement in education, disability inclusion programs, employment and community activities.

Complex care providers also manage documentation and communicate participant needs to relevant agencies, ensuring compliance with clinical, regulatory and funding requirements. This coordination helps participants receive consistent, safe and effective care.

The impact of complex care on disability support

Complex care has significantly changed how disability support is delivered in Australia. Many people with disability are now able to remain at home with their families while receiving high-level care, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and supporting stronger family relationships.

In aged care settings, complex care enables older Australians with disability to maintain independence while accessing high-quality, in-home support. In the disability sector, complex care providers also support access to employment and skill-building opportunities, helping participants contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Complex care plays a vital role in community nursing and therapeutic support, addressing both physical health and emotional wellbeing. This approach aligns with national priorities for inclusive, high-quality care and long-term participation.

Training, regulation and career pathways

As demand increases, so does the need for skilled and well-trained complex care professionals. Many providers come from nursing or allied health backgrounds and are required to meet strict professional and ethical standards.

Training commonly includes infection control, emergency response, safe medication practices and maintaining professional boundaries. In some cases, providers also support participants to navigate relationships and intimacy in a respectful and ethical way.

Additional qualifications in behaviour support, mental health first aid and crisis management are increasingly common. Government departments and regulatory bodies provide frameworks for accreditation, supervision and compliance to ensure consistent standards across the sector.

Clearer career pathways are also emerging through partnerships with universities and health organisations, creating opportunities for specialised qualifications in disability support and inclusion.

Integration with broader disability and health systems

Complex care extends beyond direct support. Providers often assist participants to navigate broader systems related to independent living, income support and community participation.

This may include support with accessing the Disability Support Pension, Age Pension or other income supports, as well as working with Services Australia to coordinate entitlements. Providers also connect participants with resources such as the Disability Gateway and Gateway Services, helping families find reliable information and support.

For people with communication barriers, collaboration with services like the National Relay Service improves access to care networks and essential services. Through these connections, complex care providers support not just physical health, but long-term social and emotional wellbeing.

Challenges and opportunities in complex care

Despite its importance, the complex care sector faces ongoing challenges. These include workforce shortages, funding constraints, gaps in training, limited access in regional areas, and barriers related to health literacy and technology.

Government initiatives such as the National Disability Advocacy Program and broader disability reforms aim to address some of these gaps. The use of assistive technology and telehealth has also expanded, enabling remote monitoring, medication management and virtual support sessions.

While challenges remain, these developments present real opportunities to strengthen complex care delivery and ensure people with disability receive consistent, high-quality support.

Complex care providers are essential to Australia’s disability support system. Their work supports people with disability to live safely, independently and with dignity, even when needs are complex or ongoing.

By delivering coordinated, person-centred care, complex care providers promote inclusion, reduce unnecessary hospitalisation and improve long-term outcomes. As demand continues to grow, their role will remain central to the future of disability support in Australia.