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E-News Monday 14 September 2026
Have Your Say
New Public Consultations
New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports Consultation
Do you want to have your say about the NDIS New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports?
The Federal Government has announced the opening of a consultation that will give you the chance to have your say on the following:
- How a participant’s disability support needs will be assessed
- How a reasonable and necessary budgets will be developed
- How a participant can use their plan
- How a new framework plan can be changed
If you would like to find out more about the consultation you can do so by clicking on the following link: https://consultations.health.gov.au/disability-and-carers-group/nfp-ndis-supports/
The consultation is open until 14 October.
NDIS Support Coordination and Connection Consultation
Do you use support workers in your day-to-day life?
The Federal Government has announced a new Support Coordination and Connection service which is scheduled to begin from 1 July 2028 which will replace the way NDIS participants currently receive support coordination services.
In response the Department of Health has prepared a draft about how the new Support Coordination and Connection service could work and would like your feedback.
If you would like to have your say, you can do so by clicking on the following link: https://consultations.health.gov.au/disability-and-carers-group/scc-reform/
The consultation is open until 2 October.
Draft Aviation Disability Standards
If you have had experiences with flying or with airlines then this is a chance for you to have your say.
The Federal Government has released the latest draft of the aviation disability standards. The standards will be focused across the four stages of the journey.
Whole of journey
Booking and planning
At the airport
On the aircraft
You can have your say by clicking the following link: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/aviation-disability-standards-consultation-paper
This consultation is open until Friday 2 October.
Help shape the future of the Victoria Park Precinct
Are you a resident of Brisbane?
The Queensland Government is asking for feedback on the proposed Victoria Park Precinct.
Apart from the park other key places the that will be considered include Brisbane Stadium, the National Aquatic Centre, RNA Showgrounds and other community spaces.
The consultation is considering how to balance recreation, culture, events, accessibility and community needs.
You can have your say by clicking the following link: https://haveyoursay.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/victoria-park-precinct-legacy-plan-consultation
This consultation is open until Sunday 27 September.
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
Have you ever experienced infection when receiving health care?
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is reviewing the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare. This is an opportunity for you to tell your story and improve guidance for healthcare workers and professionals in the prevention and control of infections.
You can have your say by clicking the following link: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/clinical-topics/infection-prevention-and-control/australian-guidelines-prevention-and-control-infection-healthcare
This consultation is open until Tuesday 29 September.
Safe and Supported Second Action Plans Consultation
Have you got children, or have experience with child services and agencies?
The Department of Social Services, working with the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) – National Voice for our Children and Families Australia is seeking feedback on two new Action Plans
National Second Action Plan
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Second Action Plan
The goal of the consultation is to guide action from 2027 to 2031 under the Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031.
You can have your say on one or both of the action plans by clicking on the following link: https://engage.dss.gov.au/safe-and-supported/
The consultation on both submissions is open until Wednesday 30 September.
Proposed NDIS Access Changes
If you have had any experience on being assessed on whether you can access the NDIS this is a chance for you to have your say.
The Federal Government has opened a consultation on how access decisions are made and moving the focus from the affect of a person’s disability, rather than only on their diagnosis.
The feedback from this consultation is being prepared for the Technical Advisory Group.
You can have your say by clicking the following link: https://consultations.health.gov.au/disability-and-carers-group/ndis-access-changes-consultation/
QDN News/ Events
QDN Severe Weather Outlook Online Webinar 2026
Severe weather season is coming!
QDN as part of the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) Preparedness Program, we have scheduled a webinar to discuss the severe weather outlook for 2026. The webinar will be online on Thursday 8 October from 12pm to 1pm
Presented by the BOM, the webinar will focus on:
- What to expect – a long-range weather forecast
- Key risks to Queenslanders
- How to use and get the most out of the BOM app and new website
- How to prepare for and stay safe this severe weather season
You can register for the webinar by clicking on the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/severe-weather-outlook-online-webinar-2026
QDN Inclusion Matters Forum – Longreach
QDN is heading to Longreach on Wednesday 16 September for an inclusion matters forum. The forum will be held at the Longreach Civic Centre from 10am to 2pm and will be hosted by local QDN Peer Leaders. The event will connect people with disability, families, allies, local business and organisations to share their ideas on improving inclusivity in the region.
Discussions will include:
- What works and what’s needed next
- How to make inclusion stronger across the Longreach region
- Turning good ideas into real change – share your insights and shape inclusion in your community.
You can register for the event by clicking on the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/inclusion-matters-longreach-2026
QDN Named as Finalist for Queensland Resilient Australia Awards
QDN’s Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DIDRR) Peer Leadership Development Program is a finalist for the 2026 Queensland Resilient Australia Awards.
This is recognition for the work that has been undertaken by our members who were involved in the program as well as QDN’s efforts to improve disaster preparedness for people with disability across Queensland.
The Queensland award will be announced on 23 September.
You can learn more about the awards by clicking on the following link: https://www.getready.qld.gov.au/queensland-resilient-australia-awards-2026
Policy Submissions
In Progress
NSQHS Third Review
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has opened consultation on the third edition of the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.
Anyone who has experienced issues with their healthcare in the past, or knows someone who has, is welcome to provide their feedback on the new standards and how they can be improved for people with disability.
You can have your say by clicking the following link: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/national-standards/third-edition-engagement-hub
The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health has prepared a template that can be used to provide a submission, you can access the template by clicking on the following link:
https://qdn.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Template-submission-hosptal-standards-0826.docx
QDN is preparing its own submission and welcomes any feedback you may have if you would prefer to reach out to QDN to talk about your experiences you can by clicking on the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pN22SPKKGkecMSBHox1OyJbhb2Rfc4BBj97rFvpKHtlUQTFEQzg3WEY1VjhLMFI5NkZOQ0RETlhNSiQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl
Policy Updates
Justice
New Report Released – Adults with Cognitive Disability in the Queensland Criminal Justice System
Attorney-General The Hon. Deb Frecklington on 11 September 2026 tabled in Queensland Parliament the Queensland Public Advocate Report – Adults with Cognitive Disability in the Queensland Criminal Justice System
The release of this final report follows the publication of five discussion papers and the extensive consultations undertaken by Queensland Public Advocate John Chesterman and his team with a wide variety of stakeholders, including people with cognitive disability and ten roundtable discussions and numerous individual and group engagements.
The report and the five discussion papers on the project are all available by clicking the following link:
https://www.publicadvocate.qld.gov.au/our-advocacy/justice-and-human-rights/adults-with-cognitive-disability-in-the-criminal-justice-system
The 26 reform recommendations contained in the final report are designed to address long-standing problems that confront adults with cognitive disability when they interact with the Queensland criminal justice system and key areas focus on:
- Making our criminal justice processes more accessible – at police stations, in courts, in prisons;
- preventing recidivism by orchestrating support services for people in need of them;
- better utilising co-responder health and supportive responses to behavioural crises;
- redesigning our forensic disability system, which needs to be bespoke but which is largely delivered and governed by mental health services;
- reliably screening for cognitive disability in prisons;
- ensuring the availability of accessible programs in prisons that can reduce recidivism; and
- ensuring the delivery – in prisons and upon release from prison – of disability services, including those funded by the NDIS.
This report builds on extensive literature that already exists on this topic, which includes the work of the Disability Royal Commission.
Disability Research
National Disability Research Partnership releases Co-Design Report
The National Disability Research Partnership has released a report on co-design. Titled ‘The impact of investing in research co-design’ the report focused on the following:
- The impact of seed funding – from changing the research direction, defining safety and strengthening capacity.
- What enabled good co-design
- What makes co-design harder
You can find the report as well as Ausland and Easy Read versions of the report by clicking the following link: https://content.ndrp.org.au/the-impact-of-investing-in-research-co-design
NDIS
Updated Sleepover Shifts Information
Do you require support workers undertake sleepover shifts?
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has updated its webpage on Sleepover Shifts.
For more information on these updates and what they might mean for you and your support workers, please visit the sleepover shifts page by clicking on the following link: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/quality-practice/sleepover-shifts
Parenting
Parenting Research Centre publishes report on Parenting Supports
The Parenting Research Centre has published ‘Parenting supports that help children with disability thrive’. This report is focused on the results of the 2025 Parenting Today survey which helped inform the development of the Thriving Kids initiative.
Some key findings from the report include:
- Parents of children with disability would benefit from accessible, timely, evidence-based supports that accommodate family circumstances and reduce participation barriers
- Parents of children with a disability are motivated to seek support and would benefit from more accessible, credible, and family-centred service pathways
You can read the report by clicking the link: https://apo.org.au/node/335576?utm_campaign=Policy-Pulse-31-August-2026&utm_content=apo.org.au%2Fnode%2F335576&utm_medium=email&utm_source=comms.apo.org.au
Transport
Driver License Exemption for Riding an E-mobility Device
The Queensland Government has outlined exemption eligibility requirements for riding an e-mobility device.
On the site you can find your eligibility for an exemption, how to get an exemption as well as exemption conditions and eligible health practitioners.
You can learn more about your eligibility for an e-mobility extension by clicking the link: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/wheeled-devices/e-mobility-licence-exemptions
From our Friends
Updates regarding other peak bodies
University of Queensland
Children under 9
Parents and carers of children under 9 with disability, developmental delay, or neurodivergence: your experiences matter. QDN is working with University of Queensland researchers on a national survey about disability supports and services for young children.
It takes 15 minutes and your input will contribute to research aimed at improving services for families like yours.
Access the survey by clicking the following link:
https://partners-community.uq.edu.au/get-involved/volunteer-research-study/building-better-support-systems-children-disability
Hopkins Centre – Research Event
The Hopkins Centre is hosting a webinar on Wednesday 16 September at 12:30.
Titled ‘Hopkins Hour – Worth Asking – Accessible Communication in Healthcare and Research’ the session will discuss findings from a project that was focused on co-producing resources for clinicians and people with Spinal Cord injuries in Queensland.
The session will feature the following speakers.
- Dr Kelsey Chapman, who will be hosting the event
- Chec del Mundo, who will talk about the See Me, Hear Me, Respect Me project
- Gillian Hermosa-Silva, who will talk about the Julian’s Key Health Passport, and
- Rhonda Beggs and Dr Delena Amsters who will be responsible for Talking Mats
You can register for the event by clicking on the following link here https://www.hopkinscentre.edu.au/news-view/hopkins-hour-save-the-date-570
People With Disability Australia Creative Storytelling Competition for LGBTQIA+ People with Disability
Do you have an interest in storytelling?
People with Disability Australia has opened its Creative Storytelling Competition for LGBTQIA+ people with disability.
As part of the Community Attitudes project, LGBTQIA+ people with disability are encouraged to share their stories as part of building awareness and education across workplaces and communities.
To enter the competition you must:
- Identify as LGBTQIA+ person with disability
- Live in Australia
- Are 18 years or older when the competition opens
- Are entering as an individual (not on behalf of an organisation)
You can find out more about the competition by clicking on the following link https://pwd.org.au/creative-storytelling-competition-for-lgbtqia-people-with-disability/
The competition will run from 1 September until 25 October and has cash prizes ranging from $1500 to $2500.
Queensland Alliance for Mental Health Workforce Webinar Wednesday’s
From Wednesday September 23 until Wednesday October 25, Queensland Alliance for Mental Health will be running a series of webinars focused on mental health workforce.
Across the 8 episodes attendees can hear about:
- Understanding the VET system
- Workforce Capability and Development
- Attraction and Retention
- Lived/Living Experience Workforce
- Worker Wellbeing Member Forum
- Multicultural Lived Experience in Practice
- System Enablers
- Amplifying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce
Whether you are interested in one session or more sessions you can register for your favourite by clicking on the following link here
Reframing Autism – Autism-In-Justice Expression of Interest
Are you a person with autism aged between 14 and 25 who has experience with the youth justice system?
Reframing Autism, as part of the National Autism Strategy is looking for expressions of interest to help improve training for youth justice staff.
The training will be designed to:
- Understand autism
- Communicate well
- Provide better support
- Make young people feel safe and respected
You can find out more about the expression of interest by clicking on the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z6W5TV7
Easy Read versions can also be found by clicking the following links:
AIJ EASY READ Youth Expression of Interest Information
AIJ EASY READ Expression of Interest Form
More News / Events
Amplify Me! Open Art Exhibition Now Open
The latest Outdoor Art Exhibition: Amplify Me! Is now open until 25 October.
A project by Brisbane City Council that celebrates local Brisbane artists, Amplify Me! Showcases their artwork across accessible outdoor spaces across the city. The exhibition is focused on collaboration and barrier-free creativity and supports lasting connections, inclusion and social change across Brisbane.
You can find out more about the artists, the exhibition and where you can find the artwork by clicking on the following link here
Stories
QDN’s policy team wants to hear about the issues impacting your lives. If you have a story to share, please click the following link to fill out the story form on our website:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=pN22SPKKGkecMSBHox1OyJbhb2Rfc4BBj97rFvpKHtlUQTFEQzg3WEY1VjhLMFI5NkZOQ0RETlhNSiQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl
QDN Membership
QDN membership is open to people with disability, their families, carers and supporter organisations. If you or someone you know would like to be a QDN member apply here:
https://qdn.org.au/membership/qdn-member-application/
Contact Us
Any questions, contact the QDN team on 1300 363 783 or email qdn@qdn.org.au