A new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program

Closes 16 Jan 2026

Opened 17 Nov 2025

Contact

DisabilityAdvocacyReforms@health.gov.au

Overview

Welcome to our consultation page for a new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program.

We are seeking your input on the design of the new program. We want to make it more sustainable, culturally safe, and easier to use and access. 

Please click Consultation material below for more information about what we have heard and what we think the new program could look like.

Transcript

Hello, my name is Linda. As a person living with disability, I know we’re all individuals with our own experiences and needs. That is why I'm inviting you to share your thoughts on how you think individual disability advocacy could be improved.

Individual disability advocacy helps to defend the rights of people with disability. It's a very important service. For me, advocacy means having access to someone to support me in navigating the many aspects of my life.

Right now, the Australian Government is reviewing the way it funds individual disability advocacy, and this is where you come in. The Australian Government would like to hear from you about how the system can work better. Whether you've used disability advocacy services yourself, supported someone who has or simply have ideas about how it could work better, your voice matters.

The Disability Royal Commission highlighted that individual disability advocacy needs to be easier to access, and use. This consultation is the next step. Sharing your views will help to improve individual disability advocacy and how it is delivered throughout Australia. It would be great to hear your thoughts in your own words about how to make individual disability advocacy more effective and responsive to everyone's needs.

You can respond by visiting the consultation web page and completing a survey, clicking on Have your Say button and you can even send an email with your thoughts or submit a video or voice note. Easy read and Auslan versions of the consultation materials will be available to make sure everyone can take part.

Together, we can make individual disability advocacy stronger and more accessible for all. Thank you for your consideration and time to make an important contribution in the improvement of individual disability advocacy now and well into the future, to better support people with disability.

Your voice matters.

Have your say

We invite you to make a submission to help shape the future of the new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program by clicking 'Have your say' below.

You can choose to respond to guided questions, or to make a written submission, or both. 

We encourage you to share your submission in whatever format works best and is most comfortable for you. 

If you need support

You can email DisabilityAdvocacyReforms@health.gov.au if you:

  • If you require support to access the questionnaire (including word document version or paper copies)
  • If you need more information about other ways to engage in this consultation
  • If you have any other questions or concerns.

If the questions in the survey raise any concerns or uncomfortable feelings for you or someone you are helping, you can seek support from free services such as:

  • Lifeline online or by calling 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue online or by calling 1300 22 4636
  • Kids helpline online or by calling 1800 55 1800.

To report abuse or neglect contact the free National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline call 1800 880 052 and speak with an experienced Hotline staff member.

If you require translation services, you can visit Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) National

 

Have your say

Audiences

  • Carers and guardians
  • Community groups
  • Families

Interests

  • Disability community