15 January 2025
Dear Members,
I have some important news about federal disability advocacy funding – finally!
This week, I received a letter from Minister Rishworth providing an update on the proposed approach and arrangements for federally-funded individual disability advocacy programs.
Crucially, the letter confirmed my long-held (and stated) view that the new Commonwealth Individual Disability Advocacy program will not commence until 1 July 2026. It also confirmed that the Government—as part of its response to the Disability Royal Commission—is investing an additional $39.7 million over four years from this year (2024-25) to develop and implement the new program.
Given this, the Minister stated that her immediate priorities were threefold.
Firstly, to ensure people with disability can access current Commonwealth-funded individual disability advocacy services and supports until the new program begins on 1 July 2026. Specifically, work has now commenced within DSS to extend current grant arrangements until 30 June 2026 for the following:
- National Disability Advocacy Program
- Indigenous Community Advocates Pilot
- Disability Advocacy Support Helpline Pilot
In addition, the Minister advised that DSS has commenced work to ensure the NDIS Appeals Program can continue to deliver services through a potential grant variation process. A 12-month extension to current NDIS Appeals grants may be offered until 30 June 2026. DSS will write to all current providers for the above programs with more details about the interim arrangements and its proposal to extend the arrangements.
Secondly, to provide advocacy organisations with accurate and timely information to assist in planning for the new program.
Thirdly, to undertake a robust consultation process to help design the new program and deliver better individual advocacy outcomes for people with disability. The consultation process will involve advocacy organisations and the broader disability community. Significantly, the Minister noted the importance of the work being commissioned by DANA on the future of advocacy and the expertise of the advocacy sector in informing the design and vision of the new program. The National Centre for Disability Advocacy (NCDA) will be provided with funding to facilitate these consultation activities.
The NCDA will also have its funding extended for another 12 months so it can continue to support individual advocacy providers and undertake peak organisation activities until the new program commences.
It is great to finally have some clarity on the key question of when the new program will begin. At the same time, some questions remain, such as the quantum and allocation of additional monies to advocacy organisations (committed under the government response to the Disability Royal Commission) while we await the implementation of the new program.
We will keep working with DSS and the Minister’s Office to find answers to these questions.
Jeff Smith
CEO, Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)