NDIS & disability recruitment specialists

Senior leadership and people & culture appointments for disability service providers, NDIS organisations, and community support agencies.

About NDIS & Disability Recruitment

Disability and NDIS organisations face distinct leadership challenges — from navigating the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission and SCHADS compliance to building person-centred cultures in a workforce under pressure.

Patterson Recruitment specialises in appointing senior operational and people leaders for disability service providers, NDIS-registered organisations, and community support agencies. Based in Melbourne and working nationally, we understand the regulatory landscape, the workforce pressures, and the kind of leadership that thrives in disability services.

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Roles we place across the NDIS & Disability sector

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People & culture

Head of People & Culture
HR Manager / HR Business Partner
Head of Employee Experience & Engagement

Operations & service delivery

Operations Manager
Service Delivery Manager
General Manager
Regional Manager

Support coordination & practice leadership

Practice Leader
Support Coordination Manager
Quality & Safeguards Manager

Executive & governance

CEO / Executive Director
Chief Operating Officer
Board Directors

Services

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Frequently asked questions about NDIS & disability recruitment

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What types of disability roles does Patterson Recruitment place?

We place senior and mid-level leaders across people & culture, operations, service delivery, support coordination management, quality & safeguards, and executive leadership within disability service providers and NDIS-registered organisations.

Do you understand NDIS compliance requirements?

Yes. We factor NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission requirements, NDIS Practice Standards, SCHADS Award obligations, and Fair Work regulations into every search. Our candidates are assessed for both capability and their understanding of the disability services compliance landscape.

How is disability recruitment different from general recruitment?

Disability services leadership requires an understanding of person-centred approaches, NDIS funding models, participant rights, and the regulatory framework that governs service delivery. A successful leader in this space needs operational capability and genuine alignment with disability values — not just management experience from another sector.

Do you recruit for frontline support worker roles?

We focus on senior operational and people leadership rather than frontline support worker positions. This includes heads of people & culture, operations managers, service delivery managers, practice leaders, and executive directors for disability organisations.

How long does a disability services leadership search take?

Most NDIS and disability leadership searches take 4-8 weeks from brief to offer. We’ll give you an honest timeline upfront based on the seniority of the role and the current candidate market.

Looking for an experienced disability services leader?

Whether you need a permanent appointment or interim cover, we’d love to have a conversation about how we can help your organisation find the right leadership.