Have Your Say: New Commonwealth Individual Disability Advocacy Program
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing wants your feedback on a new program to support individual disability advocacy. Your voice matters in shaping the future of disability support in Australia.
The Australian Government is developing a new program to support individual disability advocacy, replacing existing programs including the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP), Indigenous Community Advocates pilot, Disability Advocacy Support Helpline, and National Centre for Disability Advocacy. This initiative responds to the Disability Royal Commission and aims to better protect the rights of people with disability.
What is Individual Disability Advocacy?
Individual disability advocacy provides one-on-one support to help people with disability resolve instances of unfair treatment or abuse. This support can be delivered by professional advocates, family members, friends, or volunteers with support from advocacy organisations.
Advocacy is crucial because it helps people with disability to:
- Make their own choices and have equal rights
- Access trusted information and build skills
- Stay safe from harm and abuse
- Access support services and participate in their communities
- Address discrimination and systemic barriers
Background and Context
The new program responds to key findings from the Disability Royal Commission, which highlighted that:
- Independent advocates are needed in many situations, especially where people lack informal support or need special skills
- Current funding for disability advocacy isn't meeting demand
- There isn't enough data about how much advocacy is needed
- Specialist advocacy services for First Nations and culturally diverse groups don't have nationwide coverage
The program will help advocacy work well with other disability support changes and ensure people with disability can protect their rights.
What We've Heard So Far
From People with Disability, Families, Carers and Kin
- Individual disability advocacy services are valued and provide trusted information
- Advocacy is an important safeguard that helps people stay safe
- Advocacy helps people access support, uphold rights and participate in communities
- Services need to be stable, long-term, and available face-to-face
- Advocacy must be culturally safe and disability-led
If you're a person with disability or family member: Your firsthand experience is invaluable. Make a submission today.
From Disability Representative Organisations
- Advocacy should recognise overlapping challenges people with disability face
- Many people who need help don't know advocacy is available
- Advocacy should reach people in closed or segregated settings
- It should be easy for Community Visitors or health professionals to refer people
- Advocates must support people with complex communication needs
For DROs: Submit your organisational feedback on the draft program policy framework.
From Individual Disability Advocacy Providers
- Short-term funding makes it difficult to provide consistent support
- Advocacy should be provided separately from other support services
- Local knowledge of communities is valuable for advocates
- Advocates need special skills and knowledge about disabilities and systems
- Different parts of the advocacy system should work well together
For providers: Review the draft policy framework and share your operational insights.
Our Plan for the New Program
Goal
To help individual people with disability, especially those most at risk of harm, get the support they need to make their own choices and stand up for their rights.
Program Objectives
- Help people with disability, their families, carers and kin get individual disability advocacy support when they need it
- Promote more culturally safe advocacy
- Help organisations build skills to provide high-quality, inclusive and responsive advocacy
- Support advocacy that addresses discrimination, improves policy and practice and reduces barriers to inclusion
Key Activities
- Fund a diverse network of independent disability advocacy organisations nationwide
- Support outreach to people facing intersecting inequalities
- Provide training and professional development for advocates
- Build strong relationships between the department and funded organisations
- Collect and evaluate data to track access, performance and unmet demand
How to Have Your Say
Your feedback is crucial. We want to hear from people with disability, their families, carers and kin, disability advocacy organisations and advocates, and disability service providers.
Important Dates
Submission Guides
You can choose to have your submission published under your name, published anonymously, or not published at all.
Stay Informed
Sign up for updates on the disability advocacy reforms and consultation outcomes.
Additional Information
For organisations working in advocacy, you may want to read the draft program policy framework which explains how the government plans to fund and run the new advocacy program.
Helpful Resources
Comprehensive guide to the new advocacy program structure and funding
Call 1800 056 015 for assistance with your submission
Watch recorded webinars about the consultation process
Get consultation materials in alternative formats
Need Help?
If you have questions about the consultation, email disabilityadvocacyreforms@health.gov.au
All information in this consultation is correct as at November 2025. The department may publish submissions to this consultation according to your preferences.
Your feedback will help shape a program that better supports people with disability to protect their rights, make their own choices, and participate fully in their communities. This is your opportunity to influence the future of disability advocacy in Australia.
Enhance Your Advocacy Skills
Become a Stronger Advocate
Whether you're a person with disability, family member, carer, or professional, developing your advocacy skills can help you better support yourself and others. Strategic Advocacy offers comprehensive training programs designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed for effective disability advocacy.
Protect Rights
Learn to identify and address rights violations
Navigate Systems
Master complex disability and healthcare systems
Effective Communication
Develop skills for powerful self-advocacy
Build Networks
Connect with other advocates and allies
Ready to strengthen your advocacy skills? Strategic Advocacy provides tailored training programs for all experience levels, from beginners to experienced advocates looking to enhance their expertise.
Who We Support
- People with disability seeking self-advocacy skills
- Family members, carers and kin
- Disability advocates and professionals
- Community support workers
- Organisations wanting advocacy training
Training Programs
- Self-advocacy fundamentals
- NDIS system navigation
- Human rights and disability law
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Advanced advocacy strategies
Why Choose Strategic Advocacy
- Experienced disability advocates as trainers
- Lived experience incorporated in all programs
- Flexible online and in-person options
- NDIS funding may be available
- Ongoing support and community
Invest in Your Advocacy Journey
Your participation in this consultation is just the beginning. Building strong advocacy skills empowers you to create lasting change for yourself and others in the disability community.
Easy Read Version
What is this about?
The Australian Government wants to hear from you about a new program to help people with disability get support when they need it.
This program will replace the old disability advocacy programs and make things better for everyone.
Why your feedback matters
Your experience is important - If you have used disability advocacy services, share what worked well and what didn't.
Time is limited - You need to share your ideas by 16 January 2026.
Your voice makes change - Your feedback will help shape how disability support works in the future.
How you can have your say
Read the consultation paper
The consultation paper explains what the government wants to do.
Share your story
Tell us about your experience with disability advocacy services.
Send your feedback
You can email or mail your submission if you prefer.
Remember!
You must send your feedback by 16 January 2026
Don't miss this chance to have your say!