Policy Submissions 

In-Progress

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (third edition) 

As you may already be aware, there is a consultation on the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHS) to develop an improved healthcare framework. The purpose is to ensure that there is consistent, high-quality and safe healthcare for all Australians.
Our submission on this consultation will ensure people with disability have their voices heard about how they receive safe, high-quality healthcare that meets their personal needs.  

Find out more about the consultation: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/standards/nsqhs-standards/nsqhs-standards-third-edition-engagement-hub
Submissions are due Tuesday 30 September 2025.  

Disability Discrimination Act Review  

The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act. This review comes after the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission) made 222 recommendations in its Final Report, 15 of which outlined changes to the Disability Discrimination Act. To ensure that QDN members and the wider disability community continue to have their rights represented in Australian law, QDN will be receiving feedback from members and completing a written submission.  

Learn more about the Disability Discrimination Act Review: https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/human-rights-and-anti-discrimination/australias-anti-discrimination-law/review-disability-discrimination-act
Submissions close Friday 24 October 2025.  

House Inquiry into Thriving Kids Initiative  

On Tuesday 2 September 2025, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability launched an inquiry into the Thriving Kids initiative. This follows the announcement of the program by Minister for Health, the Hon. Mark Butler MP during his speech at the National Press Club on 20 August 2025.   

The Committee is offering a survey on support services for children with disability. They want to hear from families, carers, service providers, educators, and health professionals to better understand the challenges that people experience when booking or attending appointments for children, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or specialist appointments. In addition to the survey, the inquiry is also accepting written submissions.   

Have your say to ensure the final design is practical and responsive to community needs using this survey: http://bit.ly/3K9HPYp     
The survey will be open until Friday 10 October 2025.   

To read more about the inquiry and to write a submission visit: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Health_Aged_Care_and_Disability/ThrivingKidsinitiative 
Submissions close Friday 3 October 2025.    

Charter of Victims' Rights  

The Office of Victim’s Commissioner is reviewing the Charter of Victims' Rights to determine how well it meets the needs of Queenslanders who are victims of crime. The review will be focused on the experience and diverse needs of victims, the scope and purpose of the Charter, the rights contained in the Charter, and more.

Victims have stated that the Charter needs to be clearer, more inclusive and easier to use. The Queensland Government is conducting a survey to address these issues. After speaking with members, QDN will develop a written submission to ensure that the Charter of Victim’s Rights meet the needs of people with disability who have experienced crimes.  

To give feedback on the Charter of Victims' Rights, complete this online survey: https://victimscommissioner.engagementhub.com.au/   
The survey closes on Friday 17 October 2025.  

Learn more about the review: https://www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au/our-work/review-of-the-charter-of-victims-rights 
Submissions close Friday 17 October 2025.  

Completed Submissions

Nationally Consistent Approaches to Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) 

The Community Visitor Scheme (CVS) was developed to provide independent advocacy to vulnerable children and adults. Community visitors have both announced and unannounced visits at facilities including mental health services, level 3 residential accommodation, disability accommodation services, shared independent living accommodation, and forensic disability services. During these meetings, community visitors speak to people receiving the service and provide support if they are experiencing any issues.
Currently 6 out of 8 states and territories have a CVS, and the Government is looking to create a system that is nationally consistent across Australia.  QDN spoke to members about their experience with the CVS including what is currently working well, and what can be improved. Members’ insights were used to inform QDN’s submission on the CVS, which was sent to the Productivity Commission.
Submissions closed on Friday 12 September 2025. To learn more about the CVS inquiry: https://consultations.health.gov.au/community-visitor-schemes-cvs/community-visitor-schemes-public-consultation/

Delivering Quality Care More Efficiently  

The Productivity Commission released an interim report titled ‘Delivering Quality Care More Efficiently’. This report included three recommendations:  

1. Quality and safety worker screening should be the same process across aged care, the NDIS, veterans’ care and early childhood education.  
2. Hospital networks, primary health networks and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations should work together to plan, find and evaluate services for their communities. 
3. Governments should invest in and evaluate prevention programs that bring long-term benefits to individuals and communities, especially vulnerable populations. 

Powerful stories on members’ experiences receiving care were used in QDN’s submission. The submission also included what issues the Government should consider if the recommendations are put in place. 

Submissions closed on Monday 15 September. To learn more the ‘Delivering Quality Care More Efficiently’ inquiry: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/quality-care#interim 

Neuro e-Gateway Program Survey  

The Queensland Government is delivering a statewide Neuro e-Gateway Program. It will provide online information and resources for people who have been newly diagnosed with a neurological condition. QDN completed an online survey to provide feedback on the website and e-gateway. It is expected to go live at the end of October 2025. Other similar projects include creating a public awareness campaign and neuro action plan, neurological wellness hubs, and a neuro community navigators' program.  

QDN will continue to work with the Queensland Government on the Neuro e-Gateway Program. We will update you when future consultations are announced.

 

Policy Updates

Transport

Department of Transport and Main Roads Accessibility and Inclusion Strategy 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have published their Accessibility and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan for 2025-27. This strategy includes plans to increase accessibility awareness, including digital accessibility among TMR staff. It also includes inclusive design that goes beyond minimum requirements.
Read the strategy: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/about-us/our-organisation/accessibility-and-inclusion/strategy-and-action-plan

NDIS   

Consultation outcomes of mandatory NDIS registration 

The NDIS Commission released two papers with feedback provided by key stakeholders on mandatory NDIS registration for Supported Independant Living (SIL) providers, support coordinators and platform providers.  

The papers titled ‘What We Heard’ outline a summary of the consultation including:  

1. Costs: Mandatory registration will result in additional costs, which many small providers cannot afford. 
2. Need for flexibility: Registration requirements should depend on factors, including size of the provider, location, type of services provided and previous accreditations.
3. Keeping current supports in place: Participants and other stakeholders communicated concerns that existing providers may be unable to meet registration requirements, which will force them to find new supports.
4. Need for clarity and more information: Providers and participants have stated they are unclear of what changes will occur and what impacts these changes will have.  

Find out more about mandatory registration for NDIS providers and the two consultation papers: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/ndis-commission-reform-hub/mandatory-registration

NDIS New Planning Reforms Delayed to Mid-2026 

The NDIA has announced a delay to the rollout of the new NDIS planning framework. The rollout is now scheduled to begin in mid-2026 instead of September 2025. The decision was made after feedback from the disability community asked for more time for the transition.  

While the transition is delayed, current plans remain valid and can continue to be used as normal. We will continue to provide updates on the proposed planning reforms when they become available.
For full details and updates, visit: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10864-update-changes-ndis-new-planning-framework-starting-mid-2026

NDIS Commission Disability Action Plan 2025-2030 

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has released its first Disability Action Plan (DAP). This is a five-year plan which was developed with insights from staff at the NDIS Commission who have disability, as well as other stakeholders with diverse backgrounds. The DAP focuses on:  

• inclusion
  
• accessibility 
• strengthening disability leadership 
• improving outcomes for people and staff with disability. 

The DAP was developed to support all people with disability, including those who work at the NDIS Commission and aims to “advance human rights and remove barriers for people with disability”.
To learn more about the DAP follow this link: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/corporate-reports/disability-action-plan#paragraph-id-107531

Art and Music Therapy will Continue to Be Funded By the NDIA  

The NDIA has confirmed that people with a disability can continue to receive art and music therapy if it is related to supporting their disability and is provided by a qualified teacher. New NDIS pricing for art and music therapy will be released on 24 November 2025.  

NDIS participants can receive these supports before November if it is included in their plan. The decision to keep music and art therapy as a NDIS funded support was made after the Duckett Review made 19 recommendations about art and music therapy under the NDIS.
Learn more about NDIS art and music therapy: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10894-duckett-review-confirms-art-and-music-therapy-continue 

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee 

A NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) was created to provide independent evidence-based advice to the Government about how suitable different supports are for the scheme (including assistive technology and therapy supports).  The Committee is made up of experts including disability advocates, educators and researchers and is led by Associate Professor, Jill Duncan OAM.
To learn more about the EAC and read the full the full list of committee members: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/senator-the-hon-jenny-mcallister/media/expert-led-committee-to-ensure-best-practice-supports-for-ndis-participants

What's on

Other Policy Events / News  

The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Report  

QDN, in partnership with Griffith University, has released the 2025 Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Report. This report provides insights from people with disability, their family, carers, and disability representatives. It covers trends across multiple topics including employment, health and education.
Read the full report: https://qdn.org.au/the-voice-of-queenslanders-with-disability-report-2025/

The QDRN Research Library is Now Live  

The Queensland Disability Research Network (QDRN) Library is an online hub which aims to create greater collaboration between disability researchers. It includes co-design during the research process.
You can learn more about the QDRN library and how it can be used: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/how-to-use

Insights on Refugees with Disability in Australia Paper  

A fifth phase of research about the experiences of refugees with disability has been completed and a new report has been published. Researchers conducted surveys and interviews with refugees with disability. They also gained insights from family members and carers about their experience integrating into Australian society and building meaningful social connections.
You can read more about the research and download the latest report: https://apo.org.au/node/331205

Neurodivergence Information Sheet 

The Australian Institute of Family Studies has published a short information sheet to help explain what neurodivergence is and address some of the common misconceptions. It helps people understand the two common types of neurodivergence (neurocognitive functioning and sensory processing). It also includes practical information on how to support children and young adults who are neurodivergent.
Download the information sheet: https://apo.org.au/node/331887?utm_campaign=Policy-Pulse-25-August-2025&utm_content=apo.org.au%2Fnode%2F331887&utm_medium=email&utm_source=comms.apo.org.au