E-News Features

Have Your Say

Help Keep Livable Design Standards in Place in Queensland

Housing is a fundamental need and human right and key to enabling people with disability to be included in community and family life, and to participate fully as citizens within Australian society. Accessible housing is critical now and into the future.

The Queensland Productivity Commission Interim Report released on Thursday 31 July 2025 - Opportunities to Improve Productivity in the Queensland Construction Industry, recommends that the Queensland Government opt out of the mandatory requirements of the National Construction Code’s Livable Housing Design Standard (LHDS) unless a demonstrable net benefit to Queensland can be established. This recommendation, if adopted, would reverse Queensland’s current implementation of the LHDS, which has been in effect since October 2023, and is part of a broader nationally consistent approach already adopted by six jurisdictions. You can read the Interim report here: https://qpc.qld.gov.au/content/inquiries/construction-productivity.html

We also acknowledge that building accessible housing enables independence, is less expensive than retrofitting an existing home, has social and economic benefits and allows people to age in place. QDN encourages all members and supporters to have their say, contact their local Members of Parliament and urge them to keep accessible housing standards. Make sure to keep an eye on our website, QDN will be sharing a letter template and other resources for contacting your MP on our website soon.

QDN Forums and Events

2025 Queensland Disability Conference Online – You're Invited

QDN in partnership with the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, is hosting the 2025 Queensland Disability Conference ‘Unlocking Potential: Reforms, Innovation and Inclusion’ on Friday 29 August 2025. The free online event will feature discussions on disability rights, employment, social impact, and Brisbane 2032. We’re giving anyone interested an opportunity to join the interactive sessions and breakout rooms. The conference will be opened by the Hon Amanda Camm MP. Register online here: https://events.humanitix.com/2025-queensland-disability-conference-online or contact events@qdn.org.au for help.

Inclusion Matters Forums – Putting Inclusion into Action

QDN’s Inclusion Matters Forums bring people with disability, families, allies, and organisations together to share ideas and actions for building more inclusive communities. Each forum is led by local QDN Peer Leaders and focuses on real-life inclusion across the seven key areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy including: housing, jobs, health, education, and community attitudes.

Upcoming forums will be held in:

Mount Isa: Wednesday 10 September
Mackay: Wednesday 8 October
Online session #2: Thursday 18 September
Online session #3: Thursday 20 November

For more information and to register click here: https://qdn.org.au/our-work/inclusion-matters/

Public consultations

Have Your Say - Disability Discrimination Act

The Disability Discrimination Act is being reviewed for the first time since 1992. The review is from the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into the Exploitation, Violence, Abuse and Neglect of People with Disability. The reviews’ purpose is to make the Act clear and reflect the current issues and barriers experienced by people with disability.

Further information can be found here: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/human-rights-and-anti-discrimination/australias-anti-discrimination-law/review-disability-discrimination-act .
Have your say on making the Disability Discrimination Act better for all Australians here: https://consultations.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/dda-community-survey/consultation/ .
If you’re interested in learning more, the Australian Government will be hosting a webinar, Friday 15 August and community forum, Thursday 28 August about the Disability Discrimination Act inquiry. Both events are open to the public and the forum can be attended online or in person.

Click here: https://events.humanitix.com/ddar-introduction-webinar to register for the webinar, and here: https://events.humanitix.com/disability-discrimination-act-review-qld-hybrid-community-forum-brisbane to register for the Brisbane forum.

Disability Supports Sector Inquiry

There is a Fair Work inquiry currently open in the disability support services sector seeking your feedback and experiences with workplace laws in the disability support services sector. Please email your experiences to disability@fwo.gov.au.

Policy Submissions

In-progress

Construction Productivity Inquiry

The Productivity Commission has released an interim report recommending that the Queensland Government opts out of the Livable Housing Design Standards (LHDS).

The LHDS ensures that houses meet minimum accessibility standards, including at least one step-free entry, wider doorways and strong bathroom walls for safety rails. If the Queensland Government opts out of the LHDS, new homes will no longer have to include these accessibility features.

QDN believes accessible housing not only affects people with disability but is also essential for older Australians and the wider community. QDN is writing a submission to the Productivity Commission urging them to keep the LHDS within the National Construction Code. Read about the Inquiry here: https://qpc.qld.gov.au/content/inquiries/construction-productivity.html

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (third edition)

To develop a framework for improved quality of healthcare there is a consultation on the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS). The purpose is to ensure that there is consistent, high-quality and safe healthcare for all Australians.

QDN’s submission into this consultation will be essential to ensure people with disability have their voices heard about how they receive safe, high-quality healthcare that meet their personal needs.

Find out more about the consultation here: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/nsqhs-standards-third-edition-engagement-hub

Completed

2025 Disaster Events Review

The Queensland Government held a review about the following events that impacted Queensland between January and April 2025:

North Queensland Floods (late January to early February 2025)
Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s impact on South-East Queensland (late February to early March 2025)
The Western Queensland Floods (late March to early April).

The review assessed the effectiveness of preparation and response efforts by all levels of Government and other entities. QDN held a members’ only forum to discuss the key challenges people with disability experienced before, during and after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Our members’ discussions were used to inform QDN's submission. You can find more information about the inquiry here: https://www.igem.qld.gov.au/2025-reviews

Policy Updates

Transport

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) Grant Scheme Extended

Queenslanders with disability, injuries, or other mobility needs will soon be provided with more transport options. The Queensland Government has committed a new grant of $6.3 million towards accessible taxis until Tuesday 30 June 2026.

If you want to know more, click here: https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/program/wheelchair-accessible-taxi-grant-scheme

NDIS

New NDIS Pricing

The NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) 2025-2026 has been published and begun Tuesday 1 July 2025.

In addition to outlining the new prices for NDIS supports, the pricing arrangements explain the provider’s responsibilities and potential conflicts of interest. Other NDIS updates include the age limit for early childhood participation has increased from 7 to 9 years old. For more information, click here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/pricing-arrangements/pricing-updates

Travel claiming rules, gap fees and other costs

For our members who receive therapies, providers can now only claim 50 percent of the hourly price limit for travel time. It must remain within the set time limits for the location. This change was created after the NDIA received feedback from participants that a large portion of their funding was being spent on provider travel. The change in Therapy Provider travel rates aims to help NDIS participants use their funding more efficiently across multiple services. Further information can be found here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10827-travel-claiming-rules-gap-fees-and-other-costs#:~:text=From%201%20July%202025%2C%20they%20are%20able%20to,support%20providers.%20Other%20travel%20rules%20have%20not%20changed.

Existing partner agreements extended to June 2027

Agreements between the NDIA and local area coordination partners have been extended until Wednesday 30 June 2027. NDIS has stated that this will provide continued support for people with disability and NDIS participants while reforms to the Scheme are underway.

Further information can be found here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10824-existing-partner-agreements-extended-june-2027

NDIA Gender Equity Strategy and Co-Design groups

The Gender Equity Strategy is being developed by the NDIA to address gender gaps in the scheme. They are talking to women with lived experience of disability, Women with Disabilities Australia and other expert groups to inform this strategy.

The NDIA and other advocacy organisations such as People with Disabilities Australia, Disability Advocacy Network Australia and Carers Australia are also facilitating multiple co-design groups. The co-design groups will be working on the Gender Equity Strategy, as well as other issues people with disability have identified.

More information can be found here: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10831-participant-safeguarding-co-design-working-group-meeting-6-24-june-2025

Employment

Inclusive Employment Australia

Inclusive Employment Australia will replace the Disability Employment Service (DES) program from Saturday 1 November 2025.

The DES program is the primary disability employment support scheme funded by the Australian Government (where job seekers with disability are referred to employment providers if they wish to receive support or Job Seeker payments) and is currently undergoing a reform.

The Government has committed $5.5 billion to help people with disability and illnesses to receive employment support. The funding will be used to establish additional employment providers, facilitate disability training to staff and assist with the delivery of tailored employment support to job seekers with disability. So far, 84 organisations have received funding to become an Inclusive Employment Australia provider. The scheme is stated to help 15,000 people with disability secure employment.

For more information, or to find the name of an Inclusive Employment Australia provider, head to the Department of Social Services website here: https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-employment-reforms/notice-about-inclusive-employment-australia-and-national-panel-assessors-programs

What’s on

Other Policy Events / News

Walk My Queensland

August is Queensland Walks Month, and everyone is invited to ‘walk, run, roll or stroll’ their neighbourhoods. Queenslanders are encouraged to share photos and get involved in online discussions to improve the ‘walkability’ of your local area. Discover how you can get involved here: https://queenslandwalks.org.au/queensland-walks-month-2025/

Australia’s Disability Strategy Update

On Wednesday 30 July, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing announced that Australia's Disability Strategy will be updated.

This will include:

Three new targeted action plans (Community Attitudes, Inclusive Homes and Communities, Safety, Rights and Justice).
A revised Data Improvement Plan
Updated Guide to Applying Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031.

More information can be found here: https://www.health.gov.au/news/australias-disability-strategy-gets-an-update

Adults with Cognitive Disabilities in the Queensland Criminal Justice System - Public Advocate Report

The Public Advocate has released a report titled ‘Adults with Cognitive Disabilities in the Queensland Criminal Justice System’. The paper explores issues experienced by people who are referred to the Mental Health Court and placed under a Forensic Order. Several topics are explored including the effectiveness of tests to determine fitness for trial, the potential misuse of behaviour controls and barriers to transition back into the community. The report was created to guide stakeholder consultation and identify opportunities for reform. This ensures that the rights of people with cognitive disabilities who enter the criminal justice system are upheld.

You can read the full report here: 20250718-forensic-system-final.pdf

Launch: Inclusivity in the 2025-2026 Manufactuing Training Plan

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) has launched their 2025-2026 Annual Training Plan for manufacturing highlighting a program for inclusivity in the industry. QDN has been working with MSQ to co-design inclusive employment solutions.

The newly released Annual Training Plan focuses on four key investment areas:

Attraction and engagement
Transformation and leadership
Skills and training
Diversity in manufacturing.

To download the plan, visit the Manufacturing Skills website: Annual Training Plan 2025-26 | Manufacturing Skills Queensland

A Primary School career book titled “You Can Make It” was launched alongside the Annual Training Program. The book highlights 15 career book stars, exceptional women in the industry inspiring the next generation and future careers of professionals in manufacturing. The book will soon roll out across Queensland schools with supporting resources. To stay updated on the book's distribution and to register your interest in receiving a copy, please visit Manufacturing Skills Queensland website: You Can Make It – Career Book - Manufacturing Skills Queensland

Launch: Models of healthcare for Australians with intellectual disability

In this free 90-minute webinar, researchers and other industry experts will share:

What is known about health and healthcare for people with intellectual disability
What a Model of Care looks like, and its purpose
The findings and recommendations from the report into models of healthcare
How the findings can be used for policy change

When: Tuesday 19 August, 3:00pm
Where: Online
Find out more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/launch-models-of-healthcare-for-australians-with-intellectual-disability-tickets-1520627901989?aff=oddtdtcreator

Stories

QDN’s policy team wants to hear about the issues impacting your lives. If you have a story to share, fill out a story form on our website: https://qdn.org.au/our-advocacy/

QDN Membership – Spread the word

Do you know someone who should be a QDN member? Share this link them so they can have their voice heard and connect with peers and support networks across Queensland.

QDN Membership Application: https://qdn.org.au/membership/qdn-member-application/

QDN e-News Update – Friday 15 August

QDN e-News - Friday 15 August 2025