QDN Policy eNews Tuesday 17 March

2026 QDN Emerging Leaders 

The 2026 QDN Emerging Leaders came together this month on 11 & 12 March  for their induction to the program.  Leaders from across Queensland gathered in Brisbane to meet each other and learn more about QDN and the 2026 program. 

QDN’s Emerging Leaders program is an opportunity for people with disability across Queensland to learn about advocacy as well as undertake their own advocacy over the course of the 12-month program.  

QDN congratulates the 2026 Emerging Leaders and looks forward to working with them as they undertake their projects over the next 12 months.  

Co-Design Training Workshop – Take Your Skills to the Next Level 

 If you are a person with disability, a family member or carer, or work in government or a community organisation, this workshop is for you. 

Join QDN’s free online workshop designed to deepen your understanding of effective stakeholder engagement and co-design, from choosing the right tools to asking the right questions. 

Interested in attending?  To find a time that works for you, visit: https://qldcodesignstrategy.qdn.org.au/event/stakeholder-engagement-co-design-training-2026/ 

Have Your Say 

The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Survey 2026 – Fill in the survey now 

 We are now in the third week of this landmark survey that gathers lived experience insights to strengthen disability advocacy, supports and policy across Queensland.

We need your voice and networks to hear from more people with intellectual disability, people aged over 60, First Nations people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and people living in regional and remote Queensland. 

The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey is the only consistent, statewide lived experience survey of people with disability. Findings are shared publicly and used by government, service providers and sector leaders to inform decision making and track change over time. 

The survey can be taken by any of the following groups: 

• People with disability
• Carers and families of people with disability 
• Organisations that work with people with disability 

The project is a partnership between Griffith University, Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) and the Queensland Government. 

 Accessible formats, translations and support to complete the survey are available. If you need help completing it, please contact dignityproject@griffith.edu.au or call QDN on 1300 363 783. 

Take the survey today and help build a more inclusive Queensland tomorrow: https://qdn.org.au/voq-2026/  

 NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee Supports Review – Round Three 

The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee has announced the latest round of reviews of supports for people on the NDIS. The Committee will be reviewing the following supports:  

• Early intensive behavioural interventions
• Positive behaviour support for older children and adults
• Robot-assisted gait training
• Social skills training as a disability support for children and young people 

The consultation is open until 29 March 2026. If you are interested in providing a submission, please follow the link https://consultations.health.gov.au/evidence-advisory-committee-eac/february-2026/  

NDIS Improving Service Agreements – Have Your Say 

The NDIS is exploring what guidance materials could be integrated to make service agreements easier to understand.  

A consultation is now open for you to have your say on service agreements and how the guidance materials can be used to support clearer and easier agreements. 

The following groups are encouraged to provide a submission: 

• Participants
• Families and carers
• Providers 

Be a part of the consultation by following the link – https://engage.ndis.gov.au/projects/improving-service-agreements  

The consultation is open until 31 March 2026.  

 Queensland’s Science and Innovation Strategy Seeking Feedback 

Queensland Government is seeking feedback on how to strengthen its science and innovation system to help create new jobs, solve problems, and create long-term sustainability.   

You can participate by: 

1. completing the online survey
2. emailing a written submission
3. attending a consultation activity 

To become involved or learn more, click here: https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/our-department/public-notices/queenslands-science-and-innovation-strategy 

Consultation is open until 31 March 2026. All responses will be reviewed as they are submitted.  

Commission of Inquiry Reviewing and Reporting on Queensland’s child safety system  

The Queensland Government’s inquiry into Child Safety has moved the closing date for submissions to 29 March. 

Don’t miss out on this chance to have your say on Child Safety in Queensland and what recommendations or changes you believe need to be made to improve the system in Queensland.  

For more information on how you can provide a submission, please follow the link here https://www.childsafetyinquiry.qld.gov.au/ 

Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs has an inquiry into racism, hate and violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

They are seeking feedback on multiple issues such as the nature, prevalence and impact of racism, hate and violence. They are also wanting to learn about initiatives that have helped prevent or reduce the above.   

You can provide feedback on this inquiry in your preferred format including written response, video, audio file, or artwork.  

To learn more, or submit feedback on the inquiry into racism, hate and violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, click the link https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Affairs/Responsestoracism 

The consultation is open until 1 May 2026. 

QDN News/ Events 

 My Housing Options Information Sessions – Coming to You 

These free, interactive and accessible sessions are designed for people with disability, families, supporters, providers, workers, and sector leaders. They focus on practical, real-world steps to support people at different stages of their housing journey and to help workers walk alongside people with disability with confidence. 

Participants will be introduced to the My Housing Options toolkit and learn how to use a range of helpful resources, including easy-to-understand guides, videos (digital stories), images, and planning activities. Sessions will also explore the different housing options available. 

In-person sessions will be held across metropolitan, regional, and rural Queensland, as well as available online. 

For more information and event times please follow this link https://myhousingoptions.org.au/information-sessions/  

DIDRR Disability Accommodation Providers – We Need Your Expertise!  

QDN, NDS and The University of Sydney are calling for Disability Accommodation Providers to share their expertise in shaping a new industry tool. Join this free in-person workshop to help co-design a self-paced eLearning program that strengthens organisational emergency preparedness.   

Your lived experience, operational knowledge and on-the-ground decision-making are central to this work. By sharing what’s already working in your services, and where the gaps are, you will directly shape a practical training program designed to strengthen emergency preparedness across Queensland’s disability accommodation sector. 

• Southport Monday 23 March, 9:30am – 12pm: https://events.humanitix.com/disability-accommodation-provider-southport
• Townsville Wednesday 25 March, 9:30am – 12pm: https://events.humanitix.com/disability-accommodation-provider-workshop-townsville  
• Brisbane Wednesday 1 April, 9:30am – 12pm: https://events.humanitix.com/disability-accommodation-provider-workshop-brisbane  

AbilityConnect: Strengthening Responses at the Intersection of Disability and DFSV 

Hosted by DVConnect and supported by Queenslanders with Disability Network, AbilityConnect is a full-day forum on Thu, 26 Mar, 10am – 4pm AEST, focused on improving responses for people with disability impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence. Bringing together lived experience leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates, the event will explore how disability and DFSV systems intersect — and where change is needed. 

Attendees can expect practical strategies, policy insights, expert and lived experience panel discussions, and cross-sector roundtables designed to strengthen collaboration and improve outcomes.  

Tickets are still available. If you are interested in attending or seeking more information, visit: https://events.humanitix.com/abilityconnect 

Policy Updates 

 Health  

Australian Health, Housing and Homelessness Network Releases Position Paper  

The Australian Health, Housing & Homelessness Network (A3HN) has released a new position paper called Health, Housing and Homelessness: How Integration and investment saves lives.  

The paper calls on Minister Mark Butler to extend the Primary Health Network Homelessness Access Program beyond its current 30 June 2026 end date. The program connects primary healthcare with efforts to end homelessness. 

If you are interested in reading the position paper, please visit the link here https://a3hn.org/2026/03/11/integrating-health-and-homelessness-systems-is-saving-lives-but-only-if-funding-continues/  

 Housing  

Evaluation of younger people in residential aged care initiatives 

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has released its final evaluation report into young people with disability in residential aged care.  

The report found residential aged care was not an appropriate place of residence for most young people. 

Recommendations from the report can be summarised by the following:  

• Establish a case management approach 
• Improve current processes
• Prepare for legislative changes.  

To learn more please follow the link here: https://apo.org.au/node/333692?utm_campaign=Policy-Weekly-11-March-2026&utm_content=apo.org.au%2Fnode%2F333692&utm_medium=email&utm_source=comms.apo.org.au 

 NDIS 

Disability Organisations Release Statement on NDIS Planning Reforms  

Twelve of Australia’s national disability representative organisations have released a joint statement calling on the Federal Government to commit to clear and complete consultation on NDIS planning reforms.  

The statement highlights a number of key consultation measures that have yet to be done by the Federal Government and provides recommendations on what the Government must do to ensure meaningful engagement and co-design.  

For a review of the full statement, please follow the link here https://www.inclusionaustralia.org.au/disability-representative-organisations-call-for-clear-and-complete-consultation-on-ndis-planning-reforms/  

 NDIS Releases Plan to Protect Choking Risks at Meal Times 

As part of its key priority areas for 2025-26, the NDIS has released its report on choking risks following nationwide mealtime checks.  

The report highlights the risks and how they can be reduced during mealtimes and follows compliance reviews that took place between May and August 2025.  

To access the media release on the changes please click here https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/media-centre/ndis-regulator-targets-choking-risks-following-nationwide-mealtime-checks  

For more information about the compliance review, please click here https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ndiscommission.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-01%2FCampaign%2520Snapshot%2520-%2520Mealtime%2520Management.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK  

From our Friends 

National Lung Cancer Screening Program Expanded to Tailor Screenings for People with Disability  

Lung Foundation Australia, in conjunction with National Disability Services and with funding from the Federal Department of Health have improved the National Lung Cancer Screening Program to assist people with disability.  

As part of this funding, Lung Foundation Australia are now looking for people with disability to join the Lung Cancer Screening Consumer Committee, this is also open to carers.  

If you are interested in becoming involved, please follow the link https://lungfoundation.com.au/lung-diseases/national-lung-cancer-screening-program/lung-cancer-screening-consumer-committee/  

NDS State and Territory Conferences: Insights to Action 

National Disability Services (NDS) have announced a series of conferences across all states and territories. 

The conferences will be in person and are designed for leaders in disability services who want to understand the challenges facing the disability sector today and some clear, practical answers to those challenges.   

The Queensland conference will be held on 9 June 2026, at Rydges Brisbane. 

If you would like to register please follow the link https://nds.org.au/events-and-training/all-events-and-training/nds-state-and-territory-conferences-insights-to-action-5896  

QCOSS releases State of the Sector Report  

QCOSS has released its 2025 State of the Sector Report. Some key findings from the report include:  

• Only 9 percent of service providers reported always being able to meet demand. 
• 81 percent reported substantial increase of demand over the last twelve months.  
• Over 80 percent of service providers report that the main government funding streams they receive consistently failed to cover administrative and service costs.  

For the full report, please visit the link https://www.qcoss.org.au/publication/stateofthesector25/ 

National Disability Research Partnership Research Fund Accepting Applications 

The National Disability Research Partnership (NDRP) is an initiative designed to fund research led by and with people with disability. The NDRP is accepting applications for its disability-led research funding.   

$5 million of research funding will be made available with up to $300,000 being offered per research project.  

If you are interested, information sessions are being held, please follow the link https://content.ndrp.org.au/research-funding-info-sessions-2026  

Applications close at 5pm on Monday 20 April 2026. To apply, please follow this link: https://bit.ly/40haVdr 

 QCOSS Town Halls – Provide feedback on services in local communities 

QCOSS is hosting a series of town halls across Queensland to discuss emerging issues. These Town Halls will be an opportunity to provide feedback on services in your local community, what gaps exist and what can be improved going forward.  

Insights from past Town Halls have assisted in informing QCOSS policy positions and their advocacy work.  

For more information please follow the link here https://www.qcoss.org.au/events/  

Leading Reform Summit – Bursary Program applications open 

Applications are still open and will close on Sunday 22 March 2026. 

The Queensland Mental Health Commission will host its 2026 Leading Reform Summit in Brisbane on May 25–26.  Each year a limited number of bursaries are available to support eligible individuals to attend the Summit. 

The bursary program is available for people with lived-living experience, are unpaid representatives of a community or particular population group, who work in non-government organisations, and who reside in regional, rural and remote areas of Queensland. 

Find out more and check eligibility on the Queensland Mental Health Commission website: https://info.qmhc.qld.gov.au/leading-reform-summit-2026-bursaries 

Low Sensory Event for World Autism Awareness Day  

Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art is hosting a low sensory hour from 9am to 10am on Thursday 2 April to coincide with World Autism Awareness Day.  

Volumes will be lowered and high sensory exhibits will be sign posted to assist people with autism and sensory sensitivity or disability to enjoy.  

For more information, please visit https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/event/low-sensory-event-2026-04-02