QDN Policy E-News Tuesday 21 April 2026

Have Your Say 

Epilepsy in Australia Inquiry 

The Community Affairs References Committee currently has an open inquiry into epilepsy in Australia. The inquiry is seeking feedback on:  

• Challenges to being diagnosed and receiving treatment
• Impact of drug-resistant epilepsy on the lives and finances pf Australians 
• Community awareness of epilepsy and treatments
• Barriers in receiving support post diagnosis
• Adequacy of Commonwealth funding for epilepsy research 

Learn more or make a submission by visiting:  https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/EpilepsyinAustralia   

Submissions close Friday 15 May 2026.

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. 

Help shape the future of train travel in Queensland 

Do you have accessibility needs – or support someone who does? Your experience matters, and now is your chance to make a real difference in how rail journeys are planned across South-East Queensland and regional areas 

QDN is teaming up with Queensland Rail and Nous Group to learn: 

• What info you need before hopping on a train
• How you like to receive updates
• What’s working (and what’s not!) 

 It only takes about 15 minutes – and you can pause and come back anytime. 

Bonus: Complete it and you can go into the draw to win 1 of 10 x $50 gift cards! 

Follow the link below and share your QR journey:
https://nousgroupau.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cJbIhFG6SG1tVSS

Policy Updates 

Australia’s Disability Strategy Implementation Report – 1 July 2023–30 June 2025 

Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031 (the Strategy) has been developed to make Australia more inclusive for people with disability.  

 To track the progress made towards the Strategy, an implementation report is published every two years. The latest version of the implementation report (1 July 2023–30 June 2025) is now available, which outlines the progress made towards the 7 outcome areas:  

• Employment and Financial Security
• Inclusive Homes and Communities
• Safety, Rights and Justice
• Personal and Community Support
• Education and Learning
• Health and Wellbeing
• Community Attitudes 

The report states that the milestones for all the above outcome areas have been achieved or are currently underway. Some of the advancements made in relation to the strategy include creating a new centre for inclusive employment, new justice strategies implemented by states and territories to support people with disability in the legal system, and a new national centre and health framework created to make health care more inclusive for people with intellectual disability. 

The Report is available at the Strategy’s Hub on Disability Gateway, in multiple accessible formats including in Easy Read and Auslan. 

NDIS

Provider Quarterly Report – School Leaver Employment 

The latest Quarterly Report for School Leaver Employment has been published.  The report reviews employment supports provided to 8,531 school leavers including how much they progressed and what outcomes they have achieved.  Some key findings from the report include:  

• School leavers who spent more time in work experience were more likely to transition into paid employment.
• 614 School leavers transitioned into paid employment (open and supported)
• The most common industries that school leavers were hired in was retail, hospitality, trades and manufacturing. 

To read the full report, visit the NDIS website:
https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/11156-latest-school-leaver-employment-report-now-available 

NDIS Reform Advisory Committee Meeting Summary  

The summary of the latest NDIS Advisory Committee meeting is now available.  the meeting took place on 13 March 2026 and discussed NDIS participants feeling confused by the NDIS “in and out lists”.  It also provided several recommendations including:  

• Delay the transition to the New Framework Planning Process to 1 October 2026.
• Publish a clear NDIS reform roadmap the agreed reforms over the next five years.
• Proceed with Provider registration Taskforce recommendations, codesigning the risk-based regulation framework with participants and organisational representatives.  

To learn more, visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/ndis-reform-advisory-committee-meeting-summary-13-march-2026?language=en 

Aged Care  

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccinations for older Australians 

The Albanese Government is funding a free RSV vaccination for Australians aged 75 and over and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 and over.  

From 15 May 2026, eligible Australians can receive the RSV vaccine from their GPs, immunisation clinics, selected pharmacies, and community and Aboriginal health services.  

Read the media release to learn more:
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/free-rsv-vaccine-for-older-australians?language=en 

From our Friends 

Skilling Queenslanders for Work 

Applications are now open for the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program. This program is designed to help disadvantaged Queenslanders earn qualifications, skills and experience that can help them find and maintain employment.  It includes information about traineeships, courses, and job seeker training, and other resources, which can be searched based on your location.  

For more information, or to apply, visit the Skilling Queenslanders for Work webpage: 
https://dtet.qld.gov.au/training/training-careers/incentives/sqw 

Applications close at 5pm, 7 May 2026. 

The Sharing Shed  

The Walking with Ava Foundation has launched a new project called the Sharing Shed, which aims to help people with disability receive the equipment that they need.  

The webpage allows people to register to donate equipment that they no longer need. And apply to receive equipment that they need but cannot afford.  

To learn more about the Sharing Shed, visit the Walking with Ava Foundation’s website: https://www.walkingwithava.org/the-sharing-shed 

Carers Queensland launches new program for young carers 

The Young Carers Employment and Education Pathways program was funded by the Queensland Government and created to help young carers learn job readiness skills and build connections to the community and aged care sectors. This program is part of the Industry Skills Solutions, which aims to foster skill development in essential industries to Queensland’s economy.  To learn more, visit the Carers Queensland website: 
https://carersqld.com.au/carers-queensland-launches-program-to-explore-education-and-career-pathways-for-young-carers/