Albanese backs 'difficult decision' on NDIS reforms

Changes that will move children with autism off the National Disability Insurance Scheme have been labelled a difficult decision by the prime minister, as support workers reveal burnout problems in the sector.

The federal government on Wednesday unveiled plans to rein in spending on the $44 billion NDIS by shifting some children with autism and developmental delays to a separate $2 billion program called Thriving Kids.

Disability advocates want assurances children on the scheme are not left behind, while Greens NDIS spokesperson Jordon Steele-John accused the government of using Australians with autism as a "political football".

Anthony Albanese continues to back the changes.

"We will always be focused on the Australian people, never on ourselves, and that can involve difficult national interest decisions," the prime minister told a party room meeting on Tuesday, referring to the NDIS reforms.

The Health Services Union welcomed the proposal, saying it would help create a sustainable NDIS.

"The foundational changes that the government make are so important to ensure that young people get the best early intervention possible," union national secretary Lloyd Williams told reporters.

"But all of those reforms need workforce at their very centre to ensure that they work.

"We want better standards for workers, who, in turn, will deliver better quality supports for people with a disability."

A Health Services Union study, released on Tuesday, found 63 per cent of the almost 500 workers polled had already left or had planned to leave the industry in the past year.

Almost half of respondents said they lacked staff for safe, quality care in the industry, while 74 per cent said pay did not reflect skill, responsibility and emotional toil.

Mr Williams said many disability workers were "burnt out, underpaid and under-resourced".

"The people they support feel the consequences. The data unequivocally shows this is a workforce crisis," he said.

Zelda Riddell, a disability support worker with 13 years' experience, said it was an "amazing job" but burnout had almost pushed her to leave the industry.

Ms Riddell said working with staff who lacked requisite training meant risks to those under care and extra pressure on colleagues.

The Melbourne resident and union delegate said urgent government action was needed to improve standards or else "the danger is that people are getting hurt and neglected".

"If I leave for something easier and better, the person who replaces me is likely to have far less skills, far less training, far less motivation to do a good job," she told AAP.

"They need support to get their skills up to the right standard."