QDN News/ Events

Queensland Budget 

On 23 June, the Queensland Government released its budget for the 2026/27 financial year. The Budget reflects ongoing uncertainty about the future of the NDIS. The State Budget papers raise concerns about the impact of proposed Federal changes to NDIS access for Queenslanders and the supports they rely on.  

As a result budget announcements for people with disability were minor, with future commitments dependent on confirmation of the Thriving Kids agreement.  

Some key measures for people with disability included: 

• $6.4million over four years for Effective and Efficient Regulation for the Housing System. This includes support for community housing providers, disability accommodation, retirement villages and residential services 
• $6.3million for one year to extend the Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Grant Scheme
• $11.7million to boost the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme from 34 cents to 45 cents a kilometre – important relief for regional Queenslanders travelling to access care.

QDN also understands that a temporary funding uplift of $5.9 million for the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program (QDAP) for the 2026–27 financial year has now been approved. This additional funding builds on the existing annual investment of $6.6 million. 

State budget measures that could impact people with disability in Queensland include:  

• $450.1million announced for Frontline Housing and Homelessness Services 
• $394.4million announced for Increase Mental Health Funding Uplift  
• $537.1million announced for 53,500 Social and Community Homes by 2044.  

For more information on the budget, please visit https://budget.qld.gov.au/budget-papers/  

Health  

Research Released on Supporting People with Disability to Participate in Sport  

The University of Queensland has undertaken research exploring knowledge, practices and perceptions of health professionals relating to sport participation of people with disability and associated risks.  

Some key results from the research include: 

• While 70 per cent of doctors identified medical complications as a potential barrier to participation in sport, about half (46 per cent) reported low confidence in identifying these medical complications
• Many doctors (54 per cent) also felt they had limited knowledge of disability sports organisations 
• 74 percent of doctors said that they have supported patients with disability to participate in sport, most commonly by encouraging them to get involved. 

For more information on this research, please visit: 
https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-06-supporting-people-disability-participate-sport 

NDIS  

Research

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has published a new definition of SIL providers on their website.  

The definition now states that it is SIL is delivered to NDIS participants who have higher support needs and:   

• Requires support at all times of the day, or for most of the day
• Has their SIL provider choose and manage all their support workers.

Under this new definition, NDIS participants are not able to self-direct supports or choose their own support workers if they while using their SIL funding.  

In addition, from 1 July 2026 some SIL providers will need to register with the NDIS Commission. Registration includes:  

• Certification audits
• Compliance with the core module of the NDIS Practice Standards
• Compliance with the new supplementary module for supported independent living Practice Standards
• All other conditions of registration.  

A new registration group will also be added to registration certificates of approved providers. The new class of support is 0138 – Assistance with supported independent living and its definition will be included in the NDIS Provider registration and Practice Standards Rules  

Read the full definition of SIL, SIL transitional arrangements by following the link below:
https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/ndis-commission-reform-hub/mandatory-registration/mandatory-registration-SIL#paragraph-id-3456512 

Short-term Accommodation Changes

From 1 July, the previous fixed daily rate for supports has been replaced with separate line item costs. There is now an hourly rate for support workers, plus a separate line item for accommodation.

These changes have been made to remove the assumption of overnight support and instead moving to a person-by-person approach. Food has also been dropped from the pricing document with people staying in Short-term Accommodation being responsible for their own food.

This will impact the following:

• Participant accommodation
• Support worker accommodation 
• Support hours from a support worker.

If you are in short-term accommodation and believe you will be impacted by these changes please visit, https://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/using-your-funding/other-types-support/what-short-term-accommodation

SIL and Digital Platform Reforms Now in Effect 

From 1 July 2026, new Supported Independent Living Practice Standards are now in effect.  

The new standards are designed to give guidance for providers on how to deliver supported living services and what good practice looks like. The updated standards highlight: 

• Consistent service delivery 
• Quality and safety for participants
• Accountability across the sector. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/ndis-commission-reform-hub  

For more information on Supported Independent Living, please visit:
https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-practice-standards/sil  

Tax 

Australian Taxation Office – How to do your tax – Easy Read   

The Australian Taxation Office has released an easy read version on how to do your taxes.  

The guide provides information on the following: 

• How to do your tax
• When you need to do your tax 
• How to get help 
• After you do your tax
• If you make a mistake. 

For access to this tax document, please visit:
 https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/using-our-website/easier-to-read-information/how-to-do-your-tax-easy-read  

Transport 

Department of Transport and Main Roads – Inclusive Precincts Guide   

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has published an inclusive precincts guide. The guide has been set up to provide an overview of best practice design features for creating accessible and inclusive public transport precincts.  

This will help highlight how to improve accessibility across public transport nodes and help improve accessibility of these areas for all people, including people with disability.  

For more information on the inclusive precincts guide, please visit:
https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/technical-standards-publications/inclusive-precincts-guide