8571 (2025). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues

8571 (2025). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister for Disability Issues: What work, if any, is the Minister doing to ensure Disability Support Services packages increase in line with the increase of the minimum wage?

Hon Louise Upston: I am advised that Disability Support Services (DSS) pricing typically receives an annual inflation adjustment, to support providers in managing increases to operational costs, such as goods and labour. Employers are responsible for meeting Minimum Wage and other employment-related obligations. The Ministry of Social Development’s DSS group commissions the delivery of support services from providers; it does not directly employ workers to deliver disability supports. The contract rates for disability supports are higher than the Minimum Wage, for example, the current National Rate paid to a Provider for an hour of Personal Care is $42.75, which is significantly higher than the Minimum wage of $23.15.