When Paul Fitzgerald built a house to retire in, he had no idea he would need to make it wheelchair-accessible by the time he moved in.

Key points: NDIS projections, show that more than 500 disability workers are needed in outback WA within the next three years

NDIS projections, show that more than 500 disability workers are needed in outback WA within the next three years The cost of providing services in regional areas are prohibitive, with the NDIS pricing model not helping

The cost of providing services in regional areas are prohibitive, with the NDIS pricing model not helping The NDIS says it will monitor growth in the disability services market

Diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease, the sandalwood harvester who spent his life working outside in the bush is watching on as his body fails him.

"I've got an idea what's going to happen, but I just take it one day at a time, I don't want to sneak up to the last page and have a peek," he said.

After winning a battle to get NDIS funding, he still cannot get the services he needs.

"We got the planning part of it sorted out with all the money, and now we can't spend it because we can't find the people to help us spend it," Mr Fitzgerald said.

Mr Fitzgerald is looking for a support coordinator to help him hire services and make adjustments to his house so he can stay at home for as long as possible.

But support coordinators are just one of a variety of disability workers that are in short supply outback Western Australia, and it is only going to get worse.

Teresa Newlands says there needs to be more disability services for people like her son Colin on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. ( ABC Goldfields: Rhiannon Stevens )

Five hundred disability workers needed

According to the NDIS' own projections, over 500 disability workers are needed in the region within the next three years.

Robert Hicks, CEO of the region's largest locally run disability services provider — GIFSA, estimates this is around a four-fold increase on current workforce levels.

However there are no exact figures on today's workforce available.

"There is insufficient information to generate reliable estimates on current workforce for Goldfields/Esperance," a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services said.

In an area which struggles to attract workers in all sectors, it may prove impossible to fill these positions.

Paul Fitzgerald on his property near Coolgardie in the WA Goldfields. ( ABC Goldfields: Rhiannon Stevens )

But labour shortages are not the only issue.

The NDIS pricing model is discouraging some disability organisations from applying to become providers of some services because it is not financially viable.

Mr Hicks said market failure had always been an issue in the Goldfields, where the costs of providing services become prohibitive.

But he believes the NDIS will only exacerbate it.

"The NDIS has not dealt adequately with market failure, so the Government at the end of the day may well have to be the provider of last resort."

Responding to questions from the ABC about market failure in the region, a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) spokesperson said they "will actively monitor and analyse the growth of the disability services market, and where necessary intervene".

The further from the city the worse it gets

On the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, or 'the Lands' as the locals call it, Teresa Newlands cares for her disabled son Colin West Junior.

They live in Warburton, a small community halfway between Kalgoorlie and Alice Springs.

"Warburton is far away — living in the Lands we'd like to have more happening for disability," Ms Newlands said.

Having received very little information about the NDIS and how it will work, Ms Newlands is contemplating moving her son to Kalgoorlie.

"That's coming away from the Lands, coming away from family, moving into town, but we do want things happening for Colin so he can join in with activities," she said.

According to an NDIA spokesperson, a new arrangement with Aboriginal Medical Services in remote Western Australia was announced "to help improve people's access to the NDIS".

But the NDIA did not answer a question by the ABC confirming how many people on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands have completed an NDIS plan.

Ms Newlands currently relies on care respite services which are due to cease in November.

From his personal experience, Mr Fitzgerald has one piece of advice for those navigating the NDIS.

Robert Hicks CEO of GIFSA in Kalgoorlie says the expectations of people in the Goldfields were raised by the NDIS but the delivery is problematic. ( ABC Goldfields: Rhiannon Stevens )

"Don't be scared to ring up the Federal Department of Social Services," he said.

At every hurdle during the process to get on the NDIS, after every wait became too long, Mr Fitzgerald called the Minister and the process quickened.

"Tell everyone to ring up Paul Fletcher, ring up the bloke that's in charge," he said.

But Mr Fitzgerald cannot wait forever.