QDN e-News Friday 19 December
Have Your Say
Public Consultation
New Commonwealth Individual Disability Advocacy Program
The Australian government is looking to create a new individual disability advocacy program and has announced a consultation on how the program should look. The aim of the consultation is to understand how best to make the program sustainable, culturally safe, easy to use and accessible.
If you are interested in having your say, please follow the link below for more information: https://consultations.health.gov.au/disability-and-carers-group/individual-disability-advocacy-reform/
The consultation is scheduled to close on Friday 16 January 2026.
NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee Consultation – Part 2
The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee has announced a second round of assessments for review. The committee is asking for feedback on the following supports:
- art Therapy
- functional Electrical Stimulation
- hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as a Disability Support
- music Therapy
- prosthetics with Microprocessors
- therapy Suits.
If you are interested in providing feedback, please follow this link: https://consultations.health.gov.au/evidence-advisory-committee-eac/december-2025/
Consultation is scheduled to close on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
Administration of the NDIS Inquiry
The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Auditing will be reviewing the NDIA’s delivery of the NDIS scheme. Specifically, the review will be looking at the financial sustainability of the scheme and how well NDIS providers or self-managed participants are following funding claim requirements. This consultation will also assess the performance of the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission, as well as the auditing and monitoring completed by the NDIA.
If you are interested in finding out more, please follow this link: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Public_Accounts_and_Audit/Inquiry_into_the_administration_of_the_National_Disability_Insurance_Scheme
Consultation is scheduled to close on Friday 30 January 2026.
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) Act Review
The Queensland Government is reviewing the QCAT Act. This review will look at the QCAT objectives including weather QCAT is meeting its objectives, if the objectives need updating, and if there are any barriers that prevent QCAT from meeting its objectives. The review will also examine the current appeal process as well as the role and structure of QCAT’s leadership team.
If you are interested in finding out more, please follow this link: https://www.justice.qld.gov.au/initiatives/qcat-act-review-2025-26/about-the-review
Consultation is scheduled to close on Saturday 31 January 2026.
NDIS Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025
The consultation will be reviewing the NDIS Scheme Act 2013. The purpose of this consultation is to:
- Strengthen penalties for NDIS providers who do the wrong thing.
- Make sure that only suitable providers are delivering NDIS services.
- Stop providers from promoting their products or services if it is not aligned to the objectives or principals of the NDIS Act.
- Give the NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission the power to gain information from providers, when appropriate.
- Provide safeguards and additional communication to NDIS participants who leave the scheme.
- Allow the NDIA to move to an entirely electronic claiming system for NDIS providers.
- Review how plan variations affect the funding amounts in NDIS plans.
If you are interested in finding out more, please follow this link: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1478
Consultation is scheduled to close on Friday 6 February 2026.
2025-26 Pricing Review Consultation
The NDIA is seeking feedback on the price of services that can be claimed through the NDIS.
The NDIA will be reviewing their price limits to make sure that they:
- provide value for money for participants
- are fair to participants
- help create consistency
- allow the NDIS to grow in a sustainable way
- help support high-quality NDIS services.
The NDIA is looking for feedback on the pricing for the following services:
- disability Support Worker Supports
- therapy Supports
- support Coordination
- plan Management
- social, Community and Civic Participation.
If you are interested in finding out more, please follow this link: https://engage.ndis.gov.au/projects/annual-pricing-review-consultations
The consultation is scheduled to close on Sunday 8 February 2026.
Queensland’s first Women’s Economic Strategy – consultation now open
The Queensland Government is developing the first Women’s Economic Security Strategy.
This Strategy will aim to provide all women and girls access to financial security ensuring they have opportunity to thrive, lead, and pursue their ambitions. The Women’s Economic Strategy will be developed with and for women, in partnership with community and industry leaders.
The Queensland government are calling for women and girls, aged 16 or older to share their experiences and ideas to inform this strategy.
Help shape Queensland’s first Women’s Economic Security Strategy: https://www.women.qld.gov.au/taking-action/economic-security
Policy Submissions
Complete
Reform of Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport
QDN has completed a submission into the Reform of Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport. This submission was informed by the feedback from our members and outlined recommendations to make public transport options including buses, trains and ferries, more accessible and enjoyable for people with disability. The Standards for Accessible Public Transport include a range of factors including infrastructure, access paths, waiting areas, signage and priority seating.
Specialist Disability Accommodation Design Standard Review
The NDIS has commenced a review of Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Design Standards. Our submission explored:
- how well the design requirements meet participant needs.
- ways to improve safety, accessibility and quality.
- new technologies and sustainability
- how and when the new SDA Design Standard will be rolled out.
Learn more here: https://engage.ndis.gov.au/projects/specialist-disability-accommodation-design-standard-review
Policy Updates
Housing
Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2024–25
The Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report has been released. This report outlines details such as the services requested, outcomes achieved and support that was requested but could not be provided. Some key findings include:
- Almost 289,000 people were supported by specialist homelessness services in 2024-2025.
- 40% of clients receiving specialist homelessness services have experienced family or domestic violence.
Read the full report on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/homelessness-services/specialist-homelessness-services-annual-report/contents/about
NDIS
NDIS Support Needs Assessment and Changes to Budgets
The NDIA has announced that the NDIS planning process and budgets will change next year. In mid-2026, NDIS planners will begin using a new tool called the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN v6). This tool has been created to allow NDIS planners to have structured conversations with participants, using a strengths-based approach. The NDIA has also announced that NDIS budgets will change, with funding being divided into:
- Structured supports– Funding that can be used for specific services or supports.
- Unstructured supports – flexible funding that can be used for services and supports that are not listed as structured.
The NDIA have stated that they are putting the above changes into place to make the scheme fairer and more person-centred.
Learn more about upcoming NDIS changes on the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11024-update-new-way-planning
Justice
Police Protection Directions
The Domestic and Family Violence Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Amendment Act) was passed by the Queensland Legislative Assembly on Thursday 28 August 2025.
This Amendment Act aims to better protect the safety of people who have survived family and domestic violence. As part of this Amendment, a framework for Police Protection Directions (PPDs) was introduced. PPDs are a 12-month direction issued by police, when it is not appropriate for a protection order application to be made to a court. PPDs will commence in Queensland from 1 January 2026.
Information Sheets on PPDs have been developed and are now available on the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety website:
Report on elder abuse in Queensland
The Queensland Parliament Committee for Education, Arts and Communities has released a report on the Inquiry into elder abuse in Queensland. The report outlines key issues and recommendations gained from 124 witness statements, as well as submissions from peak bodies, individuals and community groups. Some of the key
The report included several recommendations, such as:
- A nationally consistent definition of elder abuse.
- More consistent reporting of elder abuse.
- Promotion of digital literacy programs .
- Investment in creating education on ageism and elder abuse.
- That government systems made simpler and easy to use.
Read the report here: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=269&id=44
From our Friends
Policy updates regarding other peak bodies
Special Olympics Australia launches their updated version of its e-learning coaching course
Special Olympics Australia has launched a new version of its e-learning course, which helps coaches understand how to support people with intellectual disabilities and autism thrive at Sports.
The content of the course has been developed in partnership with Playbk Sports and athletes with disability. The course will be delivered online through the Inclusive Sport Academy.
Learn more using this link: https://ministryofsport.com/special-olympics-australia-launches-refreshed-inclusive-coaching-elearning-program/
Transport Equity Research Project
Dr Lisa Stafford is leading a four-year research project to make transport planning more inclusive and easier to understand. This project covers:
- active transport (cycling, walking, rolling)
- public transport (trains, buses, ferries, light rail, trams).
To provide feedback on your experience with active and public transport, including what works well and what can be done better, you can schedule a one-on-one talk, six question easy read storyboard, or complete an anonymous online survey.
Learn more or provide feedback: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/get-involved-person-with-disabilities
More News/ Events
Online Art Competition for People with Intellectual Disability
The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability and Centre for Disability Studies have launched an art competition as part of their health research project. People with intellectual disability are invited to create a piece of artwork that shows what health issues matter most top them. You can submit any type of artwork including painting, drawing, dancing, sculpture, and music. To enter this competition, you must have an intellectual disability, be over the age of 18, and not work as a professional artist. All the artwork will be used to help researchers understand the beliefs and concerns of intellectual disability relating to health.
The competition closes on Friday 16 January 2026.
Learn more about the art competition: https://cds.org.au/art-competition/
Queensland Police Service Disability Network
The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has celebrated one year of running their Disability Network. The Disability Network was created to increase support and accessibility for members who have a disability or have a family member with a disability.
So far, the Network has developed multiple projects, including:
- The Auslan Capability Project which teaches frontline staff basic sign language so they can communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
- The Safe and Found Project which helps people with cognitive impairments who have a higher risk of getting lost, by working with MedicAlert.
Learn more about the QPS Disability Network: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2025/12/03/qps-disability-network-celebrates-first-anniversary-during-disability-action-week/
Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland Government Response
The Queensland Government has provided its response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland. In principle, the government has supported the inquiry’s recommendations with 18 government led initiatives to deliver growth and support for the sector. The Queensland government will develop a 10-year volunteering plan with the formation of a Ministerial Advisory Panel and whole of government Volunteering Working Group.
Learn more about the Queensland’s governments response to the Inquiry into Volunteering: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104211
Stories
QDN’s policy team wants to hear about the issues impacting your lives. If you have a story to share, you can fill out the story form on our website.
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/