Wesley Mission Queensland will close its ORCA Project, an employment training program for young people with disability, on June 26, 2025. The charity cited an “increasingly complex” National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) environment, marked by rising costs and regulatory changes, as the primary driver for the decision. The program, which supported 90 participants last year, provided tailored work experience and skill-building for individuals with complex support needs.
Why is the ORCA Project closing?
The decision stems from the rising difficulty of maintaining long-term sustainability within the NDIS framework. According to a Wesley Mission Queensland spokesperson, the organization regularly reviews services to balance community impact with financial viability. The charity stated that ongoing changes to funding models, compliance, and regulations created a challenging environment for the specialized, two-year post-school program.
The ORCA Project provided more than 300 work experience placements for its 90 participants in 2024, helping young people build independence and professional skills.
How does the NDIS funding model impact providers?
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) maintains that it funds eligible individuals rather than providing direct grants to service organizations. A spokesperson for the agency noted that since July 2024, the number of NDIS participants receiving funding for employment support has increased by 58 percent. However, for families like those of Oli Evans and Claire Rusterholz, the shift in the provider market has created a gap in available services. Families report that alternative programs are often more expensive, effectively reducing the amount of support they can afford with their existing NDIS packages.
What are the consequences for families?
For participants, the closure represents a loss of tailored vocational pathways. Natalie Evans, whose 18-year-old son Oli attended the program to pursue his interest in IT, described the closure as “life-changing” in a negative sense. Similarly, Jenny Roberts stated her 16-year-old daughter, Claire, saw significant confidence gains while attending the program. Both families expressed concern that mainstream disability employment services do not offer the intensive, personalized support required for their children to transition into the workforce.
| Metric | Context |
|---|---|
| 2024 Participant Count | 90 young people |
| Work Placements (2024) | 300+ |
| Sector Trend | 58% increase in employment support funding |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to current participants of the ORCA Project?
Wesley Mission Queensland has provided participants with a list of alternative organizations offering similar training. The charity attempted to transition the service to another provider, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
Is the NDIS cutting funding for employment support?
The federal government announced cuts to the NDIS in April 2024 as part of an effort to reduce the scheme’s $50 billion annual cost. While the NDIA reports an increase in participants receiving employment funding, providers cite the complexity of the new regulations as a barrier to service delivery.
Where can families find alternative support?
Families are encouraged to consult their NDIS planner or support coordinator to identify registered providers that specialize in school-leaver employment supports (SLES) or similar vocational training programs in their local area.
If you are struggling to find a provider, ask your NDIS coordinator for a list of providers that specifically offer “Customized Employment” or “SLES” services, as these are tailored for individuals with higher support needs.
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