Queensland Disability Reforms: Working with the Community
Queensland is working on the disability reforms that include the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review. The Queensland Disability Stakeholder Engagement and Co-Design Strategy was released in late 2024 to put people with disability at the heart of disability reform.
Read the Strategy: https://qdn.org.au/qld-disability-co-design-strategy/
The Strategy supports delivery of the Queensland Disability Reform Framework.
Read the Framework: https://www.dcssds.qld.gov.au/our-work/disability-services/queensland-disability-reform-framework
Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) are leading the implementation of the Strategy. A key part of work this work is engaging and co-designing with the disability community including people with disability, families, disability providers, peak bodies, advocacy as well as local, state and federal Government agencies.
Community Forums 10-14 February – register now
To start this work on Disability Reforms, QDN in partnership with the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, are running community forums across Queensland to share information about the Strategy and how people with disability and stakeholders can be involved in co-designing disability reforms. The forums will also offer the opportunity to provide input into disability reform planning.
Register for the Community Forums: https://qdn.org.au/community-forums/
Governance Committee and Co-design Team
QDN are also seeking expressions of interest from people with lived experience or expertise in disability who are interested in being part of the Strategy, including in governance roles or as co-designers of disability reforms.
Apply now for the:
1. Disability Reform Implementation Stakeholder Committee - which will oversee the delivery of the Strategy; or
2. Co-design Team - to help design and deliver engagement processes and create and test ideas to generate and inform disability policy and program solutions.
Find out more about the Expressions of Interests and apply: https://qdn.org.au/play-an-active-role/
New Minister for NDIS and release of updated Australia’s Disability Strategy
The Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP has taken on the role of Minister for the NDIS, following the retirement of the Hon Bill Shorten MP. QDN looks forward to working with Minister Rishworth in her new role to progress the important reforms of the NDIS and deliver on the outcomes of the NDIS Review for Queenslanders with disability and Australia's Disability Strategy.
Read the full announcement: https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/17531
On 29 January 2025, The Australian Federal Government, all state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), reaffirmed their commitment to building a more inclusive Australia, where all people with disability can participate on an equal basis, through the release of the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031. Governments have established new Targeted Action Plans (TAPs) under the Strategy, to apply intensive focus on Community Attitudes, Safety, Rights and Justice and Inclusive Homes and Communities – all areas of critical importance to people with disability.
Learn more about the updated Strategy and read the supporting documents: https://www.disabilitygateway.gov.au/news/strategy-gets-update
NDIA Announcement
NDIA have announced they have extended the timeframe to provide extra information for eligibility reassessments, from 28 days to 90 days.
Learn more on the NDIS website: https://ndis.gov.au/
Psychosocial Support Program – extended for two years
The Commonwealth Government's Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) announcement includes a two-year extension of The Commonwealth Psychosocial Support Program, ensuring continued support for people with severe psychosocial challenges. The extension provides crucial funding certainty for psychosocial support services.
- This decision aligns with recent advocacy efforts addressing unmet needs both within, and outside the NDIS
- The extension allows time for development of a comprehensive national plan while maintaining essential services
QDN welcomes the MYEFO package which includes several other initiatives, consisting of single-year extensions, and a commitment to maintaining vital support services.
Learn more about the MYEFO announcement on the official budget website: https://budget.gov.au/
Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Survey – coming soon
The Voice of Queenslanders with Disability Survey is a research initiative designed for people with disability, their families/caregivers, and organizational representatives. The survey, led by the Dignity Project from Griffith University in collaboration with the Queenslanders with Disability Network and Inclusive Futures, is proudly supported by the Queensland Government. It seeks to understand what is working well and what challenges remain in the lives of people with disability.
Find out more and read previous years’ reports: https://qdn.org.au/voice-of-queenslanders-with-disability-survey/
Policy Submissions
QDN members are encouraged to reach out to the policy team to be involved in our submission writing. Email qdn@qdn.org.au or call 1300 363 783 to have a conversation with the policy team.
Submissions the policy team is working on:
- Aviation Customer Rights Charter
- Inquiry into Volunteering in Queensland
- Platform Providers mandatory registration
- Supported independent living (SIL) and support coordination mandatory registration
- Inquiry into Elder Abuse
Submissions the policy team has completed since the last e-news:
- Consultation on self-directed supports registration
- People with Disability Feedback on Guidelines for Connected Autonomous Vehicles
- 100-Day Review to the Olympic and Paralympic Games
NDIS updates
NDIS Reform Advisory Committee
El Gibbs and Dougie Herd have been appointed as co-chairs of the new NDIS Reform Advisory Committee. The committee was recommended by the independent review of NDIS. The term of reference is currently being finalised.
Read the announcement: https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/17331
Platform Provider consultation
The Platform Provider consultation will build on the significant engagement with participants, workers and Platform Providers that occurred as part of the NDIS Commission's Own Motion Inquiry into Platform Providers. The purpose of this consultation paper is to seek community feedback about registering all Platform Providers with the NDIS Commission to deliver NDIS supports. Submissions open until 7 March 2025
Have your say on Platform Providers mandatory registrations: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/ndis-commission-reform-hub
Supported independent living (SIL) and support coordination mandatory registration
To progress mandatory registration of SIL and support coordination, the NDIS Commission is consulting on:
- Changes to registration requirements and arrangements
- Implementation and transition approaches
- Understanding practical implications for participants, their supporters and providers.
Submissions open to 7 March 2025.
Have your say on SIL and support coordination mandatory registration: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/about-us/ndis-commission-reform-hub
NDIS events – Introducing changes to NDIS legislation
This event will deliver an overview of the NDIS Bill amendments, provider further information on some of the key changes and provide an opportunity for Q&A at the end.
For providers: *Took place on Thursday 6 February 2025.
For Support Coordinators: Tuesday 11 February from 11am – 12pm.
RSVP by 10 February: https://www.ndis.gov.au/events/10556-introducing-changes-ndis-legislation-support-coordinators
For Plan Managers: Wednesday 12 February from 3pm to 4pm.
RSVP by 11 February: https://www.ndis.gov.au/events/10559-introducing-changes-ndis-legislation-plan-managers
