Limiting the role of registered nurses within Australia’s disability sector: shifting health risk and the ultimate cost onto the most vulnerable?

This article sheds light on a critical policy and practice issue facing Australian registered nurses and Australians with intellectual disabilities and complex health care and support needs. In Australia, there has been a process of so-called delegation of intensive support provided by registered nurses in community contexts for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism to unlicensed health and social care workers. The nature of unlicenced health and social care work in Australia is critiqued. Additionally, key case studies, policy events, and the current state of the disability workforce and its influence on negative health and safety outcomes for people with disabilities are discussed. Very little is known about the outcomes from the delegation of nursing care and support to unlicenced disability workers, yet this is being implemented with some of the most vulnerable Australians. The outcome of this situation has contributed to poor outcomes for people with disabilities. A revision and clearer articulation of nursing in national disability policy is urgently required.