QDN e-News Tuesday 18 November
Have Your Say
QDN Forums and Webinars
QDN Disability Action Week Webinar – Friday 28 November
QDN is hosting a webinar to celebrate Disability Action Week Friday 28 November. The theme for Disability Action Week 2025 is ‘Communicate. Connect. Create’. The webinar is an opportunity to hear from experts who have shaped the creative landscape of Queensland to discuss access and inclusion in the Arts for people with disability.
Registrations are now open. If you would like to attend, please follow the link below to register: https://events.humanitix.com/qdn-disability-action-week-webinar-wdmuvzhq
Public Consultation
Building Culturally Safe Services for NDIS Participants
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is asking to hear from participants, providers and other stakeholders about how the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) organisations can deliver culturally safe supports to Indigenous Australians.
The feedback will be used to develop a First Nations Market and Sector Development Strategy, which will help build the cultural capacity of non-indigenous NDIS providers.
Have you say by providing a written response to the NDIA.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4r1AY4t
Submissions and written responses close on 31 December 2025.
Policy Submissions
In-progress
Disability Standards for Education – Last week for submissions
The Australian Government has announced a review of Disability Standards for Education to determine if the Standards are working and how they can be improved.
The review is designed to cover three areas:
- Effective implementation of the Standards.
- Inclusive decision-making
- Clear responsibilities for assessment authorities and course developers.
Some of the areas being considered are part of the recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission.
Submissions close 21 November 2025, for more information on how to get involved please visit: https://bit.ly/48kEpvu
Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport – closes Thursday 4 December
The Federal Government has announced consultation on an exposure draft to reform Transport Standards.
The inquiry will be seeking feedback on the following:
- The clarity of the amendments and if they reflect the intent of the agreed reforms.
- The effectiveness of the transitional arrangements for operators and providers, particularly in scenarios where processes are underway to acquire or significantly upgrade assets.
- Any other relevant views or information.
Submissions close Thursday 4 December, if you are interested in finding out more, please visit: https://bit.ly/49UnhxW
Completed
Disability Discrimination Act Review
QDN has completed its submission into the review of the Disability Discrimination Act. QDN would like to thank all members for attending the forum as well as for the discussions and input into the submission. Your feedback has gone a long way to shaping our response.
QDN will now wait for the next steps of the inquiry to be finalised and will provide updates when they become available.
NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee Consultation
QDN completed a response to the NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee consultation into supports for participants on the NDIS. The use of supports is vital to many people on the NDIS. The potential loss of these supports could have an impact on people with disability who rely on the services.
QDN will continue to engage with the Evidence Advisory Committee and provide feedback on any proposed changes to available supports.
Policy Updates
Legal
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Statement of Rights
A ‘Statement of Rights’ is now included as part of the new ‘Aged Care Act’. The Statement is there to ensure people in aged care, as well as families and carers of people in aged care understand what rights are available to them.
The statement also offers information to providers on their responsibilities and what they need to do to ensure the safety of residents. To find out more please visit: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/statement-rights
Social Security and Other Legislative Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025
Recently the Federal Government passed the Social Security and Other Legislative Amendment (Technical Changes No. 2) Bill 2025 in the House of Representatives. The Bill is significant because it introduces changes that may impact people who receive government payments including those on the NDIS.
In particular the proposed option to remove payments from someone if they are arrested and placed on bail.
QDN will continue to monitor the Bill and the potential impact that these changes may have on participants.
For more information, please visit: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7370
NDIS
Graeme Head AO – Appointed NDIA CEO
On Tuesday 11 November 2025, Graeme Head AO was appointed the new CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). Mr Head has been appointed for a three-year term.
He was previously the Commissioner for NDIS Quality and Safeguards between 2018 and 2021 and brings long term public administration and social policy to the role. He will commence the role from 24 November 2025.
Follow this link to find out more about the appointment: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/new-ndia-ceo-to-shape-future-of-scheme?language=en
NDIS Quality Practice Update
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has updated its quality practice guidelines for providers and workers in the NDIS. The new portal now offers an opportunity for providers to self-assess their practices and identify where gaps might be.
There are also practice alerts which provide guidance on best practice care for people with disability. If you are interested in finding out more, please visit: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/quality-practice#paragraph-id-10383
NDIS Engagement Portal
The NDIS engagement portal is an opportunity to see what projects the NDIS is working on and how to get involved in projects. The portal has a list of surveys, submissions and other processes related to the operation of the NDIS.
If you are interested in advocacy or have feedback you would like to provide on the NDIS please follow the link to find the latest on what is being reviewed: https://engage.ndis.gov.au/
Ombudsman’s Report on NDIA Implementing the Participant Service Guarantee
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has provided a report on how the NDIA is implementing the Participant Service Guarantee (PSG). This is part of the Actions Speak report.
The report highlights the progress that has been made by the NDIA as well as what the NDIA can do to improve the implementation at this stage.
The NDIA has provided a response to the report which can be found at this link: https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/10958-acting-ceo-statement-ndia-response-ombudsmans-actions-speak-report
NDIS Home and Living Supports
The NDIS has provided an update for participants on how they can request home and living supports. The page is designed to highlight what the NDIS funds, how to request home and living supports, what information and evidence needs to be provided, and how to submit forms once they are being completed.
If you want to know more about Home and Living Supports or need to see if the updates have any impact on you, please visit: https://ndis.gov.au/participants/home-and-living/requesting-home-and-living-supports
Strengthening Provider Access to NDIS Systems
Starting from 10 November all providers will now need to use myID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM). The previous system is now discontinued. While this shouldn’t impact participants, their families and carers, providers will have to ensure that they are adhering to the new system.
If you want to find out more about the changes, please visit: https://ndis.gov.au/news/10846-strengthening-provider-access-ndis-systems
Integrity, Honesty and Transparency Educational Video
The NDIS Commission has now released its second educational video as part of its series highlighting the NDIS Code of Conduct. This one is focused on Integrity, Honesty and Transparency and provides an overview of the practices providers can follow that will allow participants the best opportunity to make decisions that support their needs.
If you are interested in viewing the video and finding out more, please visit: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-code-conduct/code-conduct-videos/video-integrity-honesty-transparency
Employment
Queensland Government Announces Women’s Career Grants
Queensland Minister for Women, the Hon. Fiona Simpson MP has announced that applications are now open for women’s career grants. The grants are designed to assist women with the cost of job seeking.
The initiative is being funded through partnership with Future Women, who are the support behind Jobs Academy, a training initiative for women looking for work.
To view eligibility for the grant please follow this link: https://www.womenscareergrants.com.au/
Advisory Committee Chair Position – The Centre for Inclusive Employment
The Centre for Inclusive Employment is currently looking for a Chair for its Advisory Committee. The role provides independent leadership to guide the Centre’s work in achieving its goal of increasing employment for people with disability.
Applications close 21 November 2025. Please note that applicants must be a person with disability and bring strong governance and executive leadership experience. Ideally, a candidate will have deep knowledge of the disability employment sector and evidence-based approaches to improve employment outcomes.
If this sounds like you, please follow this link: https://peopleforpurpose.com.au/opportunity/advisory-committee-chair/
Inclusive Employment Australia
Inclusive Employment Australia has now replaced the Disability Employment Services program.
Inclusive Employment Australia is designed to create a more inclusive future. The program will place participants at the centre of the service. It improves and simplifies services for people looking for work. The portal helps employers and service providers by providing an interactive portal where these groups can interact.
If you are interested in finding out more about the new program, please follow the link: https://www.dss.gov.au/inclusive-employment-australia
From our Friends
Policy updates regarding other peak bodies
SSI and AFDO Pathways to Possibilities 2025: Celebrating International Day of People with Disability
On Wednesday 26 November, Settlement Services International (SSI) and Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) will be hosting an online celebration for the International Day of People with Disability. The event will feature speakers and advocates from across the community to celebrate inclusion, amplify lived experiences, and reflect on a year of impact.
If you are interested in attending the online celebration, please follow the link below to register: https://bit.ly/4p9q2jb
Inclusive Futures Spinal Rehabilitation Communication Research
The Griffith University Inclusive Futures team is undertaking research into how to enhance patient decision-making and access to information for clinicians and people with Spinal Cord Injury.
The aim of this research is to create an information and communication tool for patients and staff at the Spinal Injuries Unit at Princess Alexandra Hospital. The research is designed to hear from people with lived experience about the usefulness of the tool and how it can help communication between clinicians and people with Spinal Cord Injury.
If you are interested in participating, please visit the link and find out how you can participate: https://inclusivefutures.griffith.edu.au/siu-info
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/