“Tuesday 25 March 2025, 9pm
Tonight’s Federal Budget raises more questions than answers about how people with disability are going to be supported through the government’s major reforms to the NDIS.
Cuts to the NDIS have been outlined, as expected, with the Federal Government projecting almost $1 billion in immediate savings over the next financial year.
$364.5 million has been set aside for general supports – to fund services for those no longer eligible for the NDIS. This is the first time a dollar value has been provided, and it’s positive to see.
Yet the Budget does not outline whether or not this funding is contingent on states and territories matching it. Cutting the NDIS without establishing robust alternatives is leaving people with disability with nowhere to turn.
Disability support services are not optional – they are essential for daily life. People with disability rely on them to get out of bed, shower, go to work or school, and participate in their communities.
Without adequate support, people with disability face disproportionate poverty, cost-of-living pressures, and exclusion.
In key Budget cost-of-living measures, people living with disability are absent. In Australia’s housing strategy, there is no mention of accessibility.
People with disability are missing in this budget. Just 18 months after Australia’s ‘landmark’ 4-year $600 million Disability Royal Commission, it is like it never happened.
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was billed as a transformative opportunity for our community to be heard. Yet in this Budget, it hasn’t even rated a mention.
People living with disability appear largely invisible in the Federal Government’s financial path forward for Australia. Are we really back here?
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As of 4th March 2025, new rules have been in effect to make NDIS plan decisions clearer and fairer.
These changes are geared towards ensuring your plan works for you and your needs.
Changes to plan management
With clearer rules now in place, for the NDIS to determine if an unreasonable risk exists around the way in which your funding is being managed.
A risk is only considered unreasonable if there are no supports or safeguards to help manage it.
If they believe that there is an unreasonable risk, the way in which your funding is being managed may need to be re-evaluated.
However, the NDIS will first look at ways to support you before making any changes.
This may include looking at extra supports, guidance or safeguards to help you stay in control of your funding.
If a change is required, they will talk to you first and explain why.
If you don’t agree, you can ask for a review.
Updates to plan changes
The NDIS now has clearer processes in place for making changes to a plan. The new rules clarify when and how we can vary or reassess a participant’s plan.
Plans can still be changed by:
These updates ensure plan changes happen in a fair and consistent way, making sure your supports match your needs.
You can still ask for updates to your plan at any time.
What this means for you
If your needs change, you can ask for changes to your plan.
The NDIS will work with you on any changes and explain our decisions.
They have updated their policies and guidelines to align with these new rules.
Visit the NDIS website [https://ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation] for more information about the rules and what they mean for you.
People with disability can sometimes be vulnerable to unfair treatment at work. As people living with disability, we’ve all heard the stories – some of us might even have personal experience of poor treatment.
On Wednesday 19th March at 6:30pm (AEST) – Joseph Mitchell, Assistant Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), will be joining us to talk about the work unions are doing to ensure the rights of workers are upheld including specific work that supports people with disability.
It is important to remember that everyone has a number of basic rights at work, including:
Without the work of unions and union members over the last century, we wouldn’t have many of the conditions we take for granted today – the eight hour day, paid sick leave, parental leave, superannuation, penalty rates and fair pay.
This webinar is a must for anyone interested gaining a better understanding of workplace rights. Even if you are retired, you might pick up important points that could help friends and family members.
To register for this webinar, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bOuj9sSPTF6pF4dRKiBfvA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
If you have any questions around employment that you would like Joseph to answer, please email promotion@pda.org.au or ask a question via the online chat during the webinar.
On Sunday 2nd February we celebrated Physical Disability Awareness Day with events throughout Australia and also enjoyed a great turnout at the popular online DisabiliTEA event.
As part of the day’s activities, PDA was invited to be part of a podcast hosted by Kayla Gatt – aka the Natural Naturopath.
PDA’s Melanie Hawkes, Laura Scurr and Robert Wise spoke about Physical Disability Awareness Day and why such days are important in educating, celebrating and bringing together both the physical disability and wider communities.
You can listen to this podcast by going to:
If you haven’t already registered for the online DisabiliTEA event at this Sunday’s Physical Disability Awareness Day, make sure that you head across to do it now
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/FLTklhA9TLmT3Up8Hcu_VA
Great speakers:
As well as hearing from these incredible speakers, this free event will feature a fun trivia event with cash prizes.
Join us to celebrate Physical Disability Awareness Day.
On Sunday February 2nd 2025, Physical Disability Australia will be hosting the third Physical Disability Awareness Day.
Established in 2023 after seeing a gap in the awareness calendar for highlighting physical disabilities, this very special day brings attention to people living with physical disability, their contributions and the many conditions that fall under the physical disability umbrella.
The day also provides a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and be united in their support for Australia’s physical disability community.
A number of face-to-face events have also been scheduled, including Strolls & Rolls around local parks, morning and afternoon tea and a lunch.
Face to face Events
The ever popular online DisabiliTEA event will once again also be held, this time with a fun Trivia session (with some fantastic prizes) and some amazing guest speakers who will share their stories. The Trivia host and adjudicator will be Laura Scurr, Physical Disability Awareness Day Committee member and PDA Board representative.
NSW/VIC/ACT/TAS – 2pm
SA: 1.30pm
QLD: 1pm
NT: 12.30pm
WA: 11am
Feel free to pour yourself a cold drink or make yourself a cuppa as you enjoy a fun line up of guests and challenging trivia questions.
To register for the online DisabiliTEA event, please go to https://us02web.zoom.us/meetin…
We look forward to having you join us to celebrate Physical Disability Awareness Day 2025.
Together let’s grow and strengthen Physical Disability Awareness Day by making some noise, being seen, being recognised, being considered and being celebrated.
For news and updates on what’s happening near you and how you can be involved, please continue to visit this page or email promotion@pda.org.au to be sent updates via email.
If you would like to run your own Physical Disability Awareness Day event or would like to be involved in the organising committee for next year, please email Natasha at promotion@pda.org.au or call 1800 732 674.
Today is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), a day which promotes community awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability.
This year’s theme is “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future”.
It’s significance lies in not only recognising the important role that people with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all, but also highlights the need and importance of persons with disabilities being actively involved in making decisions that affect their lives.
Being heard, seen and included in conversations, being involved in true co-design and simply being part of the disability community all play a role in bringing about positive change.
PDA is grateful for its Board and those it represents.
We thank and salute our members and those who play a role (big or small) in making a true difference.
For more information about this important day, go to:
ONLINE EVENT
Tomorrow (Wednesday 27th November 2024) 11am-12pm AEDT, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission will be hosting an online Ministerial Town Hall event on Bill No. 2 Consultations.
This is an opportunity for you to hear directly from the Minister for the NDIS, the Honourable Bill Shorten, who will be joined by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville and Associate Commissioner Natalie Wade.
The reforms are focused on address emerging and long-standing issues of quality and safety within the National Disability Insurance Scheme, with the townhall discussing these changes with the community and getting feedback.
The Disability Royal Commission’s Final Report highlighted the quality and safeguarding challenges that still exist for people with disability in the Australian community. NDIS participants, their supporters and the broader community need a regulator with stronger powers to increase the safety and quality of NDIS services and supports.
In response, the Minister for the NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme and Government Services Bill Shorten MP announced the second part of legislative reform for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act) to be introduced through the NDIS Amendment (Getting it Back on Track No. 2) Bill (Bill No.2).
Proposed quality and safeguarding measures will amend the NDIS Act to strengthen the monitoring and compliance powers of the NDIS Commission and introduce stronger information gathering and banning powers.
If you are interested in attending this online event, please register by going to:
https://events.humanitix.com/ministerial-round-table-on-bill-2-consultations-ndis-commission
PAID OPPORTUNITY
Do you shop at Woolies and have a disability?
Want to work at Woolworths or have previous work experience in retail as a person with disability?
If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, you’re invited to share your thoughts and ideas to help shape the future of inclusion and accessibility at Woolworths.
AFDO – Australian Federation Of Disability Organisations is working with Woolworths to develop their Disability Action Plan and keen to hear from people with a physical disability about what makes for a ‘great’ retail and employment experience. So come along and share your insights and ideas for better inclusion.
Sessions will be run online via Zoom from mid-November to mid-December 2024, with times available during and after business hours (AEDT).
Selected Participants will be paid $60 per hour for their time.
If you or someone you know would like to join, please complete the Expression of Interest form by going to:
https://buff.ly/4ebOgUl
Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to register your interest as soon as possible.
With everyone dealing with the challenges of life, it’s sometimes difficult for us to allow time to focus on our own wellbeing and to put ourselves first.
Use today to give yourself a break, to just breathe and to give self-care and support to your mental health.
If you, or someone near you, is needing help today or any day, please speak with a healthcare professional, family member or friend or contact
because we’re all worth it.
1800 732 674
