The Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) Expert Advisory Group met online on Wednesday 8 July 2026.
The meeting focused on:
- Support needs assessment testing
- CALD engagement insights report
- CALD data dashboard.
Support needs assessment testing
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) provided an update on expanding support needs assessment testing with participants. More information can be found on the NDIS website using the following link, Help test the new way of planning | NDIS Engage.
Member feedback included:
- Make sure people with complex support needs are included in testing. This includes people with a range of disabilities, lived experiences, and intersecting characteristics.
- Offer testing for both face-to-face and online settings, not just online settings.
- Provide training to support need assessors for cultural safety, trauma informed practice, and intersectionality.
- Make sure information is clearly communicated and available in plain English, easy read, Auslan and languages other than English.
CALD engagement insights report
The NDIA shared the CALD engagement insights report and updates made following feedback from members.
The report was based on engagement with the community between January to March 2026 and captures CALD community experiences of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Member feedback included:
- Agreement that key themes in the report reflect experiences members are hearing from the community.
- The definition of CALD communities can be broad. Members asked for more clarity about who is represented in the report.
CALD dashboard
The NDIA shared the CALD data dashboard published in June 2026 which can be found on the NDIS website using the following link, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse .
The NDIA welcomed feedback and let members know we will continue to explore how CALD communities are better represented in NDIS data and reporting.
Member feedback included:
- The current definition of CALD focuses on migration and language and may not fully reflect the diversity of CALD communities.
- Concern about the lower access rates for people from CALD backgrounds compared to non-CALD participants.
- Consider further data breakdown. This could help identify barriers to accessing the NDIS.
Next meeting
The CALD Expert Advisory Group’s next meeting is Tuesday 1 September 2026.