Countries similar to Australia (including Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and South Africa), have national laws or constitutional protections in place that safeguard basic human rights and freedoms. Unfortunately these currently don’t exist in Australia. Whilst Queensland, Victoria and the ACT have their own human rights legislation, no consistent national protection exists to protect...

Physical Disability Australia is proud to support National Reconciliation Week and to work towards meaningful change in 2026 and beyond. Recognised from the 27th May until the 3rd June, this annual event provides all Australians with the opportunity to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how we can all contribute...

PDA Members have been emailed our new look newsletter “PDA Connect”. This monthly newsletter will provide updates on the issues that matter the most to our community and the work that we are doing to create positive change. We hope that you enjoy this new format and find it valuable and interesting. If you are...

What are your experiences around access and affordability of medical specialists? With the House Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability having commenced an inquiry in regards to this subject, we are putting together responses from our members and the wider disability community to support our submission. If you have a story or concerns...

PDA recently made a submission to the QLD Government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) as part of the review of the Disability Parking Permit Scheme. You can read this by going to: https://www.pda.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Queensland-Government-Disability-Parking-Permit-Scheme-Review-Submission.pdf

Last Thursday, following the recent Budget announcements, we hosted our webinar “The Budget, Decoded – the budget decisions that impact you.”   With so many people asking “what does this actually mean for me?”, we broke it all down in a practical, easy-to-understand way – cutting through the noise and focusing on what really matters....

Following last night’s Budget, many people are still left wondering what it all means — and how the decisions announced could affect them personally. To help make sense of it all, we’re hosting a FREE WEBINAR tomorrow, Thursday May 14 at 4:30pm AEST: “The Budget, Decoded – the budget decisions that impact you.” Presented by...

Disability advocate Sophia Redjeb has released an independent report, The Human Cost of the Partner Income Test. Drawing on responses from 798 Australians affected by partner income testing over a two-week survey period, the report reveals that this policy is far more than an administrative Centrelink measure. Respondents described experiences of financial dependency, hardship, fear...

On Thursday May 14th at 4:30pm AEST, Physical Disability Australia – PDA will be hosting a FREE WEBINAR – “The Budget, Decoded – the budget decisions that impact you”.   Presented by PDA’s CEO, Suzanne Gearing, and PDA President, Paul Williamson, this webinar will work through the Budget so you don’t have to. Join us...

Millions Face Financial Exclusion and Bureaucratic Nightmares as Mobility Barriers Turn Everyday Essentials into Impossible Hurdles In a nation that prides itself on inclusivity, a hidden crisis is unfolding: Australians with physical disabilities who cannot drive or fly are being systematically excluded from opening bank accounts, accessing government services, and even verifying their identity. With...

Scope Australia has opened applications for a research grant to support researchers with disability. Funded through their Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald Research Grant, a grant of up to $30,000 is available to support researchers with disability to conduct research that aims to improve the lives of people living with disability. The grant is offered in recognition...

Physical Disability Australia is calling for urgent action to fix inaccessible charging infrastructure before inequality is further embedded into the nation’s transport system. As petrol prices climb and fuel security becomes more volatile, Australia’s move to electric vehicles is accelerating. But for many people with disability, the nation’s EV charging network remains inaccessible, unreliable, and...