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Home › Strategic Advocacy Australia Vs Commonwealth Program

Strategic Advocacy Australia vs Commonwealth Program

Complementary Approaches to Disability Advocacy

Strategic Advocacy Australia

Justice-First, Empowerment-Focused

Our Unique Strengths

Family-Centered Approach

We work alongside families as partners, not just supporting individuals. Our SSA framework makes progress visible for everyone involved.

Structured Framework

Our evidence-based SSA cycle (Assess, Plan, Activate, Review) provides measurable outcomes and continuous improvement.

Education Integration

Deep expertise in school (DET) systems, NDIS navigation, and educational advocacy with proven outcomes.

Prevention-Focused

We build skills and capacity to prevent advocacy needs before crises arise, rather than just reactive support.

Our Focus Areas

NDIS navigation & system advocacy
Educational (DET) systems advocacy
Self-advocacy skill development
Family support and capacity building

Commonwealth Program

System-Focused, Risk-Driven

Government Program Features

Risk Management Focus

Primarily focuses on people at serious and immediate risk of harm, responding to critical situations.

Helpline-Based Services

National short-term, phone-based advocacy support through the Disability Gateway.

Network-Based Delivery

Organizations work in formal networks across larger geographic areas with structured referral protocols.

Cultural Safety Emphasis

Strong focus on culturally safe services and ACCO partnerships, particularly for First Nations communities.

Funding Streams

Service delivery (3-6 years)
National helpline (6 years)
Sector strengthening (6 years)

Complementary Approaches: Better Together

Prevention & Response

We provide proactive skill-building and prevention, while the Commonwealth program offers crisis response and immediate protection.

Education & Systems

Our deep expertise in educational systems complements the program's broader systems and policy focus across all government services.

Family & Individual

We focus on family-centered capacity building alongside the program's individual-focused advocacy approach.

Framework & Network

Our structured SSA framework provides measurable outcomes while the program's network approach ensures geographic coverage.

Key Differentiators at a Glance

Aspect Strategic Advocacy Australia Commonwealth Program
Primary Focus Empowerment & capacity building Risk management & response
Approach Structured framework (SSA cycle) Network-based delivery
Timeline Prevention-focused, ongoing Crisis response, short-term
Expertise Educational systems, family support Broad disability advocacy
Measurable Outcomes Progress tracking, skill development Harm prevention, access metrics
Target Group Families, individuals seeking capacity building Those at immediate risk of harm

Choose the Right Support for Your Journey

While the Commonwealth program provides essential crisis response, Strategic Advocacy Australia offers the skills, framework, and ongoing support to build lasting independence and prevent future advocacy needs.

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Shape the Future of Disability Advocacy

Community Consultation on the New Commonwealth Program

Consultation Overview

What's Being Proposed?

  • New Individual Disability Advocacy Program

    Replaces NDAP, ICA pilot, Helpline, and NCDA with a unified approach

  • Three Funding Streams

    Service delivery (3-6 years), National helpline (6 years), Sector strengthening (6 years)

  • Focus on Most At Risk

    Priority for those at serious and immediate risk of harm

Key Themes to Address:

🎯 Access & Timing

When should people get advocacy support? How do we prevent waiting lists?

🤝 Cultural Safety

How do we ensure services are culturally safe for all communities?

📍 Geographic Coverage

How do we ensure rural and remote communities have access?

Consultation Deadline

16 January 2026

Submit your feedback by this date

📄 Access the full consultation paper:

VIEW ONLINE VIEW ONLINE DOWNLOAD PDF DOWNLOAD PDF

How to Have Your Say

Who Should Participate?

People with disability
Families & carers
Advocacy organisations
Service providers

Submission Methods

Online Consultation Hub

Answer consultation questions directly on the government's consultation platform

VISIT CONSULTATION HUB VISIT CONSULTATION HUB
Email Submission

Send your written submission to:

disabilityadvocacyreforms@health.gov.au
Postal Submission

Mail your submission to:

Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Reforms

Advocacy and Inclusion Programs Branch

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

GPO Box 9848
Brisbane QLD 4001.

Privacy Options

You can choose how your submission is published:

Published under your name
Published anonymously
Not published at all

Strategic Advocacy Australia's Contribution

Evidence-Based Framework

We're advocating for measurable outcomes and structured frameworks like our SSA cycle to be included in the new program design.

Educational Expertise

We're advocating for stronger integration of educational systems navigation and school-based advocacy support.

Family-Centered Approach

We're advocating for recognition of families as essential partners in advocacy, not just individual-focused support.

Prevention Focus

We're advocating for resources dedicated to prevention and capacity building, not just crisis response.

Our Submission Focus Areas:

📄 View Consultation Hub
Structured outcome measurement
Long-term capacity building
Educational systems integration
Family partnership models
Prevention-focused services
Skill development frameworks

Key Issues for Your Submission

Timing & Access

  • Should advocacy be available before crisis?
  • How can we reduce waiting times?
  • What about ongoing support needs?

Measuring Success

  • How should we measure advocacy outcomes?
  • What about skill development vs crisis resolution?
  • How do we track long-term impact?

Family & Community

  • How can families better support advocacy?
  • What about community-based approaches?
  • How do we build local capacity?

Regional & Remote

  • How do we ensure regional access?
  • What about telehealth options?
  • How do we support local advocacy?

Your Voice Matters!

This consultation is a critical opportunity to shape the future of disability advocacy in Australia. Whether you're an individual with lived experience, a family member, or a service provider, your perspective is essential for creating a system that truly works.

MAKE SUBMISSION NOW MAKE SUBMISSION NOW DISCUSS YOUR IDEAS WITH US DISCUSS YOUR IDEAS WITH US

Deadline: 16 January 2026 | View consultation hub | Download PDF version