NDIS Navigators

Recruitment

Schools are responsible for employing an NDIS Navigator. Schools must follow merit-based processes and the Recruitment in Schools policy when hiring an NDIS Navigator.

Principals decide the length of the NDIS Navigator position that best suits their local context. Funding for the initiative is provided until 30 June 2027, so principals must consider this when recruiting for positions longer than 12 months. Ongoing employees appointed to positions longer than 12 months in duration will result in permanent transfers to that school.

A sample position description is available on the Resources page. The position description describes duties at Dimensions of Work for the Education Support (ES) Level 1 Range 4 (ES 1–4) classification under the Victorian Government Schools Agreement.

Schools will be provided with funding that is equivalent to the mid-point of the ES 1–4 level. Schools can employ an NDIS Navigator at a higher classification but will only be provided with funding equivalent to an ES 1–4 classification. Schools must ensure that the remuneration or salary package for their NDIS Navigator is consistent with the Remuneration – Teaching Service Guide.

Appointing an existing staff member

A principal may temporarily assign the duties of the NDIS Navigator to an existing employee not performing these functions for up to 3 months without a merit-based process, or up to 12 months following an internal merit-based process. This cannot extend their employment if they are fixed term. For further information see Higher Duties – Teaching Service.

Schools with a current ongoing employee already performing the NDIS Navigator function in their substantive duties may continue with this arrangement and no further recruitment action is required.

A range review may be considered if an existing employee is performing a role that aligns with the NDIS Navigator position at a range lower than the ES 1–4 classification. A range review is appropriate when the existing employee’s current role is related to the NDIS Navigator role (for example, Student Health and Wellbeing Coordinator). If the existing employee’s current role is at a lower range and is not related to the NDIS Navigator role (for example, administration assistant), a range review would not be appropriate. Further information for range reviews can be found in the Remuneration Guide.

Schools may use NDIS Navigator funding to top up an existing position. For example, if your school has a staff member who is already performing NDIS Navigator functions, your school can use the funding to extend their hours, if the employee agrees. Schools that choose this option will only be provided with funding equivalent to the ES 1–4 position.

Recruitment strategies

When recruiting an NDIS Navigator, schools can consider:

• promoting the job advertisement on other channels in addition to Recruitment Online to ensure that the advertisement is seen by a wide range of people. For example:
  • Seek or other external recruitment websites
  • social media (for example, LinkedIn, Facebook)
  • local newspapers or noticeboards
  • school communication channels or networks
  • emailing their school staff to promote among their networks
  • the school website
• making the job advertisement open for a period of 2 or more weeks (at least 10 business days)
• enabling job-sharing arrangements within the school or with another local school. This arrangement will be subject to the department’s Staffing Cooperation policy (PDF)
• recruiting the NDIS Navigator as a dual role with a staff member (for example, Mental Health Practitioner) already employed in the school.

Recruitment support

Schools may contact the following areas for recruitment advice:

• Schools Recruitment Unit on 1800 641 943 or schools.recruitment@education.vic.gov.au
• Policy and Workplace Relations Branch on 03 7022 0013 or workplace.relations@education.vic.gov.au

For further advice refer to: Recruitment in Schools: Policy and Guidelines.

If your school has advertised for an NDIS Navigator but has not been successful in recruiting, please contact the NDIS and Strategic Projects Unit at ndisnavigators@education.vic.gov.au for further guidance and support.

Notifying the department once recruitment is finalised

Please advise the NDIS and Strategic Projects Unit at ndisnavigators@education.vic.gov.au once you have recruited to the role and provide them with the NDIS Navigator’s contact details. The team will contact the NDIS Navigator about induction and professional learning. Please alert the team if the person in the NDIS Navigator role changes over time.

Informing your school community about the NDIS Navigator

As NDIS Navigators provide support to parents and carers, it is important that the school community is aware of the initiative. It is recommended that the school advises parents and carers about the NDIS Navigator through newsletters and other communication channels.

Refer to: NDIS Navigators sample school newsletter content (DOCX).