Sister campaigns for mandatory disability worker qualifications after brother's death
Sister calls for mandatory support worker qualifications. She cared for her disabled brother without required carer credentials.
Reported by The Standard, Warrnambool
ShareWhy it matters
Disabled people's safety depends on caregiver skill. Families need to know and approve worker qualifications.
In Australia. If passed, Greg's Law would establish Australia's first mandatory qualification standards for disability support workers affecting thousands.
Key facts
- 10 metres at age 12
- Greg's fall
- Grain hole on sheep transport boat
- Injury location
- October 2026
- Greg died
- 2024
- Teresa became guardian
- Greg Bolitho had a fall at age 12 that caused severe brain injuries.
- Greg later developed epilepsy, schizophrenia and difficulty swallowing.
- Teresa Ferguson, his sister, became his guardian in 2024.
- Ferguson found out his disability support workers had no required qualifications.
- When she asked providers for worker credentials, they said qualifications were not required.
- Ferguson is now pushing for the Disability Support Worker Competency Act, also known as Greg's Law.
- This law would require workers to meet qualifications based on patients' complex needs.
- The draft law would let patients and guardians see worker credentials and change staff if needed.
- Greg died in October 2026, weeks after their father died.
- Federal MP Dan Tehan supports training but warns against adding financial burden to the strained NDIS.
