An investigation into the federal government’s disability employment platform is being launched after a coding error impacted the ratings system which shows how providers are performing.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said she was “deeply concerned” by what had occurred and said it was clear reform was needed.

The star ratings system measures how disability employment services (DES) providers are achieving employment outcomes for their participants.

But a coding error meant historical data outside the relevant two-year period had been used to calculate current star ratings, causing some provider assessments to be incorrect.

While there was no impact on current services to participants, Ms Rishworth has asked her department to have an external investigation into the error and suspend formal assessments based on star ratings until it has been fixed.

“The star ratings are an important part of monitoring performance of DES providers. I have been clear that broad reform to the DES program is required,” she said.

“The government is committed to a DES program that provides improved outcomes for both participants and taxpayers.”

Ms Rishworth said reforms would ensure the views of DES participants are embedded into the provider ratings system.

“I am very keen to see what we can do to boost quality of these services and lift up the whole system to provide better outcomes for people living with disability,” she said.

“We need a more rich, highly specialised employment service to deliver good outcomes.”

– AAP