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Update on our co-design approach
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has heard feedback from the disability community and sector about the need to focus co-design efforts on the most critical reforms to the NDIS, to allow more time and involve more people in consultation and engagement on changes to the Scheme. We have heard that stakeholders feel overwhelmed by the speed and volume of work underway. This feedback has been received from:
- Disability and Carer Representative Organisations
- Independent Advisory Council
- Participants in focus groups
- Members of our co-design groups.
To address this, we have realigned the current co-design work program, effective from 31 March 2025, to focus on priority reforms. We have worked with disability representatives to reset the co-design program. This will allow us to spend more time, hearing from more people, about the things that are very important for us to focus on now and reflects the further work on the development of stages of reform (horizons) for the new planning pathway. To help us develop and deliver this work together, we will focus on four co-design working groups:
- Assessments and Budgeting
- Navigators
- Participant Pathway Experience
- Participant Safeguarding
Co-design groups working on these areas will continue.
Other co-design groups will pause until the next phase of reform. These include:
- Home and living
- Integrity
- Workforce capability
Ongoing engagement
We will continue to consult and engage on all other topics through:
- Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCO) Forum
- Independent Advisory Council (IAC) and its reference groups
- NDIA reference and advisory groups
- Expert and participant workshops
- Participant First
This will include more opportunities for participants, their families, carers, and supporters to get involved.
We’re committed to being honest, listening to feedback, and making sure co-design leads to real improvements for people with disability.
This reset is about focusing on what matters, learning from the community, and working together to make the NDIS better for everyone.
For more information:
Co-designing reform
The Australian Government has outlined reforms to the NDIS that will ensure a better experience for participants and make sure the Scheme is there for the future.
The NDIA is committed to working in partnership with people with disability, their families, advocates, and the broader disability community to build a stronger National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
In June 2024, we released the shared statement on co-design, in partnership with the Department of Social Services (DSS), NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (Q&SC), Independent Advisory Council (IAC) and Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCOs).
Participate
The NDIA and DRCOs communicate opportunities to get involved in co-design working groups and other opportunities.
The NDIA publishes opportunities to get involved in co-design and engagement at Have Your Say.
Co-design and feedback opportunities are also advertised through the NDIA Participant First Engagement Initiative.
Through initiatives like Participant First, you can help us make the NDIS stronger.
Participants, family members and carers will be paid for participating in accordance with our Participant Engagement Payment Policy.
DRCOs advertise NDIS co-design and engagement opportunities through their own channels.