Here’s a full recap of the event:

Our online forum opened with a sector update from El Gibbs, who acknowledged advocates’ resilience amid ongoing challenges; highlighted the sector’s transition to the Department of Health, Ageing and Disability with most DSS staff moving to ensure continuity; and shared DANA’s early engagement with new ministers Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister and Hon Mark Butler MP to advance advocacy priorities.

Summary of CEO Update:

• DANA and DROs raised concerns about the NDIA’s decision to remove a participant from the NDIS, which has since led to the NDIA CEO taking leave.
• DANA is planning further ministerial discussions and working to clarify provider issues, including pricing changes and threats to services, especially in rural, allied health, and children’s supports. Consultations continue on Section 10 and a Disability Discrimination Act review, with DANA preparing a submission informed by Royal Commission recommendations.
• The new Individual Disability Advocacy Program will broaden coverage and replace NDAP from July next year with DANA finalising consultation papers and advocacy organisations to be consulted to help shape the program.
• El is engaging central agencies including Treasury and is visiting Canberra later this month to promote advocacy and advance sector priorities.

Address by Suzanne Muir and Hope Peisley of the Department of Social Services

After hearing members’ concerns about funding changes, our CEO El Gibbs secured guest speakers from the Department of Social Services: Branch Manager Suzanne Muir and Acting Group Manager Hope Peisley joined us to provide clarity and answer questions.

Suzanne Muir outlined recent developments and funding arrangements for the NDAP. She highlighted the government’s commitment to increase funding by $39.7 million over four years as part of the Disability Royal Commission response, with significant investment planned from 2026-27 onwards under the new Individual Disability Advocacy Program. Suzanne explained that the current period is a transition phase where existing programs have been extended while preparations continue for the new program rollout.

Key priorities from government include:

• Extending time-limited advocacy activities and pilots, including services in Indigenous, rural, and remote communities.
• Supporting data collection and reporting improvements to better understand demand and outcomes.
• Communicating with advocacy providers about grant extensions and funding variations, despite challenges caused by the recent caretaker period and election.
• Advancing transparency, with early advice on indexation and supplementation expected by August, ahead of the usual November timing.

Summary of Members Q&A with the Department

• When will we get the funding for data collection, and what’s it for?
  A: The $18,000 funding for data collection has already been provided (though not listed separately). It’s for gathering information to help design the new advocacy program.
• Will there be an open competitive grant round for the new advocacy program, and when?
  A: Yes, an open competitive grant round is planned. The program is expected to start next year, so the tender will happen soon, pending government approval.
• How is eligibility for regional and remote uplift decided? What about organisations serving these areas but not meeting criteria?
  A: Eligibility is based on having a physical location in outer regional, remote, or very remote areas, per the Australian Statistical Geography Standard. This definition will be reviewed in the new program design to better cover service needs.
• How does the NDIS appeals program fit into the new advocacy program?A: The appeals program is extended for another year due to demand. Further consultation will decide how it fits with the new program.
• When will advocacy standards be finalised and implemented?
  A: Standards are final, but the supporting scheme is still in draft and under review. Government consultation is needed before applying standards to programs.
• Will data be used to assess organisations in the tender? When will we know what data to collect?
  A: Data is for program design, not organisation evaluation. Continue current reporting; any extra data requests will come with plenty of notice, likely late this year.
• Will the new Individual Disability Advocacy Program (IDAP) only fund individual advocacy, or also support other types like systemic, family, citizen, self, and legal advocacy?A: The program will focus mainly on individual advocacy, but some funding will remain for systemic advocacy. Other forms like family and self-advocacy may be included, depending on consultation feedback and final government decisions.

Key Insights from the latest NCDA Advocacy Workforce Survey

James O’Brien from the National Centre for Disability Advocacy (NCDA) shared findings from the 2025 Advocacy Workforce Survey, ahead of its release on 28 July. The results show a skilled and passionate workforce, with one in three respondents identifying as a person with disability, over a third providing care, and nearly half holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. But workforce sustainability remains a concern with two-thirds of respondents having under five years’ experience in the sector.

Demand for advocacy is rising fast, with three-quarters of organisations reporting increases and over a third seeing growth of 26% or more in the past year.

Advocates identified training needs in trauma-informed practice, complex cases, and culturally safe work with First Nations and CALD communities. Managers prioritised leadership, outcome measurement, and mental health first aid. Many organisations also called for advocacy-specific templates and clearer guidance. With 32% of respondents likely to leave within a year, and 60% of executive leaders still doing frontline work, the findings show a sector under pressure and in need of focused support to stay strong.

Key insights from DANA’s Secretariat Role

DANA Director of Policy and Advocacy, Cherry Baylosis, outlined our work as Secretariat for both the NCF DRO program and the NDIA DRCO Forum. These roles support shared advocacy, policy priorities, and systemic reform by coordinating collaboration, submissions, and engagement across the sector.

The NCF work focuses on broader disability rights, while the DRCO Forum centres on NDIS reform.

Cherry highlighted DRCO-led working groups tackling areas like accessible communications and employment. She noted that DANA enables strong participation, helping to ensure reforms are shaped by lived experience and that this coordination has strengthened sector influence and improved engagement with the NDIA.

UPCOMING 2025 MEMBERS LEADERSHIP FORUMS:

Here are the dates for our upcoming Members Leadership Forums—please add them to your diaries. Official calendar invites and registration links will be sent once speakers are confirmed.

• Wednesday 17 September, 1:30 – 3:00PM AEST
• Wednesday 12 November, 2:00 – 3:30PM AEST