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People living with disability will be able to access better support from their peers and community after the Australian Government announced $39.8 million over two years in grants to 69 disability organisations across the country.

The Australian Government has announced a new strategy designed to ensure First Nations people living with disability receive the culturally safe and accessible support they need through the NDIS.

The Australian Government has today announced the appointment of El Gibbs and Dougie Herd as the two co-chairs of the newly formed NDIS Reform Advisory Committee. These appointments continue to strengthen the lived and professional experience in key leadership roles in the NDIS.

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) has published their Annual Report 2023-24 on the IAC website.

The NDIA, DRCO and IAC commit to continue working together on NDIS reforms. Co-design working groups need to evolve to better reflect the broader scope of co-design work in this phase of reform.

Key Themes and Insights 1. Current issues Key Themes: NDIA eligibility reassessment processes. Key Insights: Current eligibility reassessment communications are problematic for people with permanent disability, for example Down Syndrome, and are causing significant trauma for participants and families. Concern the Agency is sending participants eligibility reassessment letters when their case is sitting before the Administrative Review Tribunal. Concern participants are not receiving the initial communication asking for evidence as part of their eligibility reassessment. The Agency needs a process for confirming the participant received the initial letter. Concern the Agency is calling participants about eligibility reassessments without notice. Participants...

Ensuring every NDIS participant has access to the highest quality supports will be the focus of two new pilots to commence this year.

Key themes and insights from the Disability Representative and Carers Organisation (DRCO) Forum held on 29 May 2025.

Quote from attendee: The experience needs to be fair and supportive. Some people are helpful, but others are not. We need consistency- and trust and transparency are key. What we talked about Topic 1: Blue-sky thinking around Support Needs Assessments (SNA) The group stepped back from current processes to explore fresh, creative ideas for the experience of a Support Needs Assessment. In breakout rooms, parent and carers chose their own discussion topics using research materials as prompts. Facilitators supported only when needed, keeping the conversation parent and carer led. Topic 2: Exploring the plan handover phase – meeting and discussing...