Last year, DANA and National Disability Services (NDS) embarked on a joint project to hear directly from our members about what they want to see from the proposed ‘Navigators’ in the NDIS Review.

A key recommendation from the 2023 NDIS Review was the introduction of a new ‘Navigator’ role. Navigators are set to replace Local Area Coordinators (LACs) and Support Coordinators, with a focus on connecting people with disability to the services that best meet their needs.

Importantly, these Navigators will be available to all people with disability under the age of 65—whether they are NDIS participants or not. They are designed to help people access not only NDIS supports but also new Foundational Supports, as well as mainstream and community services.

Through our discussions with members, we have developed the report Guiding the Way – Building Common Principles for Navigators. This report serves as a foundation for policy discussions and a tool to ensure that Navigators are designed in a way that works for everyone.

The Report identifies 11 Key Principles for the new ‘Navigator’ roles:

1. Navigators must be independent:
   • Separate from the NDIS and NDIA
   • Separate from service providers
   • Separate from advocacy
2. Navigators must be connected to their communities
3. Navigators must be person-centred and work for the individual
4. Navigators must be trauma-informed
5. Navigators must be collaborative
6. Navigators must prioritise choice and control, including supported decision-making
7. Navigators must be inclusive
8. Navigators must be responsive and flexible
9. Navigators must be transparent
10. Navigators must be accountable and continuously improving
11. People with disability must be employed as Navigators

The report also highlights the importance of having lead Navigators who can provide ongoing support through different life stages. It calls for equitable service quality across metro, regional, and remote areas and emphasises the crucial role of housing Navigators in ensuring people have real choices about where they live.

The NDIA has begun consulting the community on Navigator design, but with no clear timeline beyond the five-year ‘transition period’ recommended in the Review. It is critical that trials commence soon to ensure people are not left behind as Foundational Supports begin rolling out.

Read the report:

• Full Report
• Executive Summary
• Easy Read

Read our Media Release here.