The future of Allied Health in Australia and what needs to be done to make it a bright one

August 25, 2022

Stress is currently epidemic in the allied health sector — but that can change. 


Working in the healthcare industry can be rewarding and satisfying, but it can also be stressful. And that’s especially true right now when changes to the healthcare system have meant that those working in allied health employment are more likely to feel the strain than in years gone by.

 

As a result, allied health in Australia faces some challenges for future, as demand for these services increase – without keeping and attracting professionals the industry won’t keep up with demand, putting a bigger drain on our clinicians; If adequate changes occur, then the sector’s future will be bright — if they don’t occur, then it may not be too long before the best professionals look away from the allied health industry and to something less stressful. And that could have serious consequences, most notably a reduction in the quality of service for patients. 

 

The Problem

 

The principles behind NDIS — that it should be easy for people who need support to access the support they need — were solid enough, but it has resulted in unintended side effects. The most troubling of these side effects was the shift to billable hours. That sounds fine on paper, but it has meant that many allied healthcare providers have become too preoccupied with billable hours, which puts an extra level of pressure on employees, who don’t only have to meet those hours but also fill out much more paperwork than they’d like to. 

 

The Future 

 

Healthcare professionals are willing to endure acceptable levels of stress. It’s what they sign up for when they enter the profession. However, they’re not willing to accept problematic levels of stress — and not only are they not willing, but, at some point, they’ll be physically and mentally unable to do so. The number of allied health professionals experiencing burnout, a type of exhaustion resulting from excessive pressure, is rising all the time. 

 

It’s a condition that could have far-reaching impacts on the healthcare industry. If professionals are experiencing burnout, then they’ll leave the industry and look elsewhere. Plus, there’ll be fewer people willing to work in allied health because they know the risk of unacceptable stress levels is high. People are drawn to healthcare for noble reasons, but those reasons can’t overcome everything. 

 

And, of course, an industry that cannot attract and retain the best of the best will face an uncertain future. If the problem persists, then at some point, the quality of the care provided to patients will begin to suffer. 

 

The Solution

 

The problems surrounding allied health are plain to see. The question now is about what can be done to solve the issue. Of course, this is a big question, and there’s not one single answer — an overall rethink about the system and the pressure that’s being put on workers will be necessary. With that being said, there are most definitely things that NDIS providers should be looking to change about their operations.

 

And that all begins with how they work with and support their clinicians.

 

How Employers Can Retain Their Clinicians

 

Allied health providers will face major issues if their clinicians are continually leaving. Among all the other issues that this would cause, it would negatively impact their financial standing — it takes a lot to hire and train a new employee. Plus, if the job becomes so stressful, it’s possible that at some stage, there aren’t enough new clinicians to replace the number that are leaving.

 

The solution? Don’t give clinicians a reason to leave. If they’re going to quit their jobs, it should be for reasons other than workload, stress, and unhappiness. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the best methods for keeping your clinicians on board.

 

Job Security

 

People will be more likely to leave if they believe that they’re on a sinking ship. As with all workers, allied health employees want to have a sense of job security, especially during times such as now, when the global economy is going through a period of uncertainty. 

 

For both candidates and workers, job security is the number one priority. It can go a long way towards managing stress levels, too, since uncertainty surrounding the future of their job is one of the main causes of stress. The key to this is open communication — if their job is secure, then communicate it. 

 

Allied health workers should be comfortable in their position. If they have a salaried position that provides support, then they won’t be in a rush to look elsewhere.

 

Actively Fight Burnout

 

Allied health providers that just expect the issue of burnout to take care of itself will risk losing employees. The fact is that, under the current model, burnouts are on the rise — and if anything, the problem will get worse before it gets better. Providers should have a clear plan for how they will combat burnout.

 

The great thing about this approach is that none of the solutions are overly complicated. They just require a bit of care and energy. If your business has a well-being initiative, actively looks for signs of burnout in employees, and offers flexible work/life balance, then the risk of burnout will be dramatically decreased. 

 

A Sense of Community

 

Everything’s better together. Allied healthcare workers often enter the profession because they have a sense of community; they want to help other people live their best lives. It can be disappointing for them to learn that the organisation they’re working for does not seem to value community. You can foster a sense of community at your workplace by having a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that employees know each other, and having regular check-ins, so that workers never fall into a sense of isolation.

 

Flexible Working

 

Finally, there’s flexible working. Everyone wants — or perhaps needs — to be in charge of their own time. While it’s unlikely that you can have your workers set their own schedules from top to bottom, it’s highly possible that you can offer a degree of flexibility and control over their time. 

 

Final Thoughts 

 

Today the future of allied health looks at risk, but there are ways to make it brighter. It all begins with allied health providers investing in their clinicians' well-being, and clinicians asking for more from their employers than they’ve currently been getting. 


News & Insights

Check Our Latest Resources

Your Referral Journey at helpz

August 23, 2026
At helpz, we understand that navigating referrals can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our intake team is committed to making the process as smooth, transparent and efficient as possible while ensuring each client is connected with the right supports at the right time. This roadmap outlines what you can expect from referral through to service commencement.

Disability Awareness Hub: Understanding Brain Injury

August 23, 2026
When we hear the term brain injury , it's easy to think of the physical impacts first. However, for many people living with a brain injury, the challenges are often far less visible. Changes to memory, emotions, fatigue, communication, concentration, and everyday routines can affect a person's life long after the initial injury has occurred. Brain Injury Awareness Month is an important opportunity to increase understanding, challenge misconceptions, and recognise the resilience of the many Australians living with a brain injury every day. What Is a Brain Injury? A brain injury occurs when damage to the brain affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves, or functions in daily life. Some injuries are caused by external events such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, sporting injuries, or assaults. Others may result from medical conditions such as stroke, infection, lack of oxygen, brain tumours, or substance-related injuries. No two brain injuries are the same. The effects depend on the area of the brain affected, the severity of the injury, the person's supports, and their individual strengths and circumstances. For some people, the impacts may be relatively mild and short-lived. For others, they can be lifelong and require ongoing support. The Invisible Challenges One of the most misunderstood aspects of brain injury is that many impacts cannot be seen. A person may walk, talk, and appear physically well, yet experience significant difficulties with: Memory and recall Planning and organisation Attention and concentration Managing emotions Processing information Problem-solving Managing fatigue Social communication These challenges can affect a person's confidence, relationships, employment, education, and participation in the community. Because the impacts are often invisible, people living with brain injury can sometimes face unrealistic expectations or misunderstandings from those around them. What Does Recovery Look Like? Recovery from a brain injury is rarely a straight line. For many people, recovery is less about returning to exactly how life was before and more about learning new ways to achieve meaningful goals. Progress may happen over months or years, and every person's journey is unique. Recovery can include: Relearning daily skills Developing new strategies to manage challenges Building confidence in social situations Returning to study, work, or volunteering Increasing independence at home and in the community Strengthening relationships and support networks Importantly, recovery is not defined solely by clinical outcomes. It is also about quality of life, choice, participation, and finding ways to live a fulfilling life. A person who independently catches public transport, reconnects with friends, manages their weekly routine, or advocates for their own needs may be achieving incredible milestones that deserve recognition. The Importance of Support The right support can make a significant difference in helping a person navigate life after a brain injury. Support may come from many different sources, including: Family members and carers Support workers Occupational therapists Speech pathologists Psychologists Physiotherapists Behaviour support practitioners Support coordinators Peer support groups and community networks Effective support focuses on a person's strengths, goals, interests, and aspirations rather than solely on their challenges. Common Strategies That Can Help While every individual is different, a range of practical strategies are commonly used to support people living with brain injury. External memory supports Phone reminders Visual schedules Diaries and calendars Checklists and task planners Structured routines Maintaining consistent daily schedules Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps Planning activities ahead of time Fatigue management Building rest breaks into the day Prioritising important tasks Using energy conservation strategies Communication supports Providing information clearly and simply Allowing extra processing time Using visual supports where appropriate Emotional regulation strategies Mindfulness and relaxation techniques Identifying triggers and early warning signs Developing personalised coping strategies These approaches are often most effective when tailored to the individual's needs, preferences, and goals. Looking Beyond the Diagnosis People living with brain injury are often navigating challenges that others cannot see. Yet they are also raising families, building relationships, pursuing careers, volunteering, participating in their communities, and achieving personal goals every day. Brain Injury Awareness Month reminds us that disability is only one part of a person's story. By increasing awareness, promoting understanding, and focusing on strengths, we can help create communities where people living with brain injury feel valued, included, and supported to live the lives they choose. Because behind every diagnosis is a person with their own experiences, abilities, aspirations, and potential. Sometimes the most powerful support we can offer begins with understanding.

Assistive Technology That Improves Everyday Life

August 23, 2026
When people hear the term assistive technology , they often imagine expensive equipment, complex devices, or the latest high-tech innovations. While those types of supports certainly exist, assistive technology is often much simpler than people realise. Sometimes it's a phone reminder that helps someone remember an appointment. Sometimes it's a visual timer that makes daily routines feel more manageable. Sometimes it's a communication app that gives a person a way to express themselves more confidently. Often, it's the small things that end up making the biggest difference. At its heart, assistive technology is about helping people do more of the things that matter to them. It can support independence, increase confidence, reduce frustration, and create opportunities that may not have been possible before. For many people living with disability, everyday tasks can require significantly more mental energy and planning than others realise. Remembering appointments, managing medications, organising a shopping trip, finding the right words in a conversation, or navigating unfamiliar places can all present challenges. The right piece of technology can ease some of that load and make daily life feel a little more achievable. What's particularly exciting is that many of the tools people use every day can also become powerful supports. Smartphones have become portable organisers, communication devices, navigation systems, and memory aids all in one. A simple calendar alert can increase independence. A checklist app can help someone complete a complex task step by step. GPS navigation can provide the confidence needed to travel to new places. These supports may seem ordinary to some, but for the person using them, they can be transformational. Assistive technology can also open doors to greater connection. Communication is central to our relationships, our choices, and our ability to participate in the world around us. For people who experience communication difficulties, technology can provide alternative ways to express thoughts, preferences, needs, and ideas. Whether it's a communication app, a speech-generating device, or voice-to-text software, these tools can help ensure a person's voice is heard. Technology is increasingly helping people create environments that work better for them too. Smart home devices, voice-controlled assistants, automated lighting, and digital reminders can provide greater control over everyday routines. Something as simple as being able to turn lights on with a voice command or receive a reminder to take medication can promote both independence and confidence. For others, the most valuable supports are those that help manage stress, sensory needs, or emotional wellbeing. Noise-cancelling headphones, sensory tools, visual schedules, and mindfulness apps can help people feel more comfortable and prepared to participate in daily activities. These supports aren't about changing who a person is. They're about creating environments where people can feel safe, regulated, and able to engage in the things they enjoy. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that assistive technology isn't really about technology at all. It's about people. The success of any support is measured by what it allows someone to do. It might mean attending a community event independently, maintaining a job, reconnecting with friends, managing a household routine, or simply feeling more confident in daily life. The device itself is only a tool. The real outcome is the increased choice, participation, and freedom that comes with it. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the opportunities for people living with disability. Yet some of the most meaningful changes don't come from the most advanced innovations. They come from finding the right support, at the right time, that helps a person take one more step towards the life they want to live.  Sometimes, a little bit of technology can create a whole lot of possibility.