Each year, the Australian Government Treasury invites pre-Budget submissions, providing an opportunity for the community to share priorities for the upcoming Federal Budget.
DANA has made a submission highlighting the urgent need for the Federal Government to invest now to strengthen and build upon the valuable work of disability advocacy organisations across Australia. The submission calls for an immediate commitment—equivalent to a tenth of the expected spending on ‘Foundational Supports’—to be directed towards local, community-driven advocacy organisations. Without this investment, people with disability risk being left behind.
The Risk
Governments at both the Commonwealth and state/territory levels have committed to establishing Foundational Supports for people with disability outside the NDIS, with assurances that no one will be left without support. However, many unanswered questions remain about what these supports will include, how they will function, and when they will be rolled out.
Across the country, people with disability are deeply concerned that as individual NDIS plans are reduced, they will be left without essential services—particularly while Foundational Supports remain under development.
Independent disability advocacy organisations play a critical role in ensuring people with disability can navigate these changes. Advocacy prevents NDIS exploitation, upholds rights, and holds mainstream systems accountable. Yet, despite this essential role, advocacy organisations face an uncertain future due to the delay of the new Commonwealth Individual Disability Advocacy program until 2026.
If the sector is not properly supported during this transition, the expertise, networks, and community-driven solutions developed over decades risk being lost—leaving many people with disability without a safety net.
What’s Needed
DANA is calling on the Federal Government to fulfil its commitment to Foundational Support by immediately providing bridging funding to advocacy and representative organisations. This investment is needed to sustain critical services such as information provision, peer support, capacity building, and self-advocacy.
Specifically, DANA recommends:
- Continued funding for current ILC (Information Linkages and Capacity Building) programs;
- New funding for peer support and capacity-building programs that previously received ILC funding but missed out on funding in the most recent round;
- Investment in innovation to develop new peer support and capacity-building initiatives.
Making It Happen
With a Federal election approaching, DANA is actively developing strategies and resources to ensure decision-makers understand the vital role of disability advocacy organisations.
DANA will be working with member organisations to highlight real-life stories and evidence that demonstrate the necessity of significant investment in advocacy. Grassroots organisations must be able to continue and expand their essential work in providing information, peer support, capacity building, and self-advocacy.
This funding is needed now to safeguard and strengthen the community-driven advocacy networks that people with disability rely on. Without it, reforms risk being built on unstable ground and failing to deliver the meaningful change that governments have promised.
Stay tuned for updates on how to get involved in this campaign.