Key Points
- Filipino disability workers in Australia, find great purpose in their roles.
- Recent reports from the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review highlighted ongoing workforce shortages, citing skill mismatches and retention issues among support workers.
- Manna founded a Disabilty Support Service center and plans to help address the shortage by sponsoring onshore students and support workers from the Philippines, offering them opportunities to work in Australia.
Sydney-based counsellor and psychotherapist, Manna Maniago, founded Kairos Care three years ago as a Disability and Support Services provider. Since its inception, the company has expanded its workforce to over seventy employees, consisting of carers and support workers, with forty percent of them being Filipinos.
"It's a challenging industry, but it's very rewarding", Manna shares.
Recent reports from the National Disability Insurance Scheme Review in December highlighted an ongoing shortage of disability workers in the country. Among the challenges identified were skill mismatches in some caregivers and the difficulty in retaining them within the sector.
Manna emphasizes her belief in the capabilities of Filipino individuals in providing care and support. As part of her plans for 2024, she is opening doors for onshore students and disability support workers from the Philippines to join the workforce in Australia, contributing to addressing the shortage.
"Having that chance to sponsor other students and other people from overseas, it will allow them to have the opportunity to work and stay here in Australia"
Beyond caregiving
Manna explains that for many Filipinos, caregiving means much more than a job—it's deeply rooted in the culture to build strong connections. This way of caring creates a place where a person don't just get help; they feel like they belong and are cared for, like they're part of a family.
Some exceptional support workers in Manna's company include Maria, Shan, and Malcolm.
Maria discovered her love for caring after doing different jobs. But it was when she started helping those with disabilities that she found what truly makes her happy.
"We're here to support them," Maria said. "In Australia, many live on their own. Some find it hard to go out without help. Their kids don't visit much, so they treat me like family, and I care for them like my own mum."
Maria believes that having more helpers would make a big difference. "I hope the government will hire more skilled people for this work," she said. "We're eager to help as much as we can, but we can only do so much in eight hours."
Malcolm knows their job is not easy. He talks about the challenge when people stare at those he's helping, making them feel uncomfortable.
"When I take them out, some people stare, which makes them feel uneasy," Malcolm shared. "I reassure them that everything will be okay because we're here to support them."
Shan, a newcomer to this field, is eager to learn and develop her skills. She knows that being a support worker requires compassion and a dedication to building strong connections with those she assists.
"They're looking for a friend, for someone that they can trust and depend on," Shan added.
But the real satisfaction comes from seeing progress and growth in the people they assist. "When we see them improve or step out of their comfort zone, it's like we've done our job, and it warms our hearts," she explained.
