A new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program

Feedback updated 2 Apr 2026

We asked

Between 17 November 2025 and 16 January 2026, we tested ideas for a new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program.

You said

We’re committed to improving and building on disability advocacy services, so they are easier to access and better meet the needs of people with disability, their families, carers and supporters.

We heard from people with disability, families, kin, carers, advocacy organisations, community groups, peak bodies and government agencies. Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas and experiences.

People agreed that individual disability advocacy is very important, that it helps keep people with disability safe, protects their rights, and supports people to make their own choices.

People said advocacy is especially important for people with disability at risk of harm, abuse or neglect, or who feel excluded.

Most people said the new program is a good opportunity. They said it could make advocacy stronger. People said success depends on careful design and careful rollout. People told the government about some key things to focus on, such as:

  • supporting different types of organisations, including local and community-based support
     
  • supporting more people to access advocacy supports and services, including raising awareness
     
  • ensuring services are accessible to people with different culture and language needs
     
  • supporting advocates with training and funding
     
  • planning changes carefully.

We did

We analysed all feedback including survey responses, submissions, and additional insights. This information has been incorporated into a consultation report, which will guide us to:

  • inform the design of the new advocacy program
     
  • create the rules for funding and grant guidelines
     
  • carefully plan the changes as the new program begins.

The consultation report is now available. It shows who took part, what they shared, and the issues that matter most to them.

The consultation report is also available in Easy Read and Auslan. The Easy Read report is in 2 parts. The first part is about the consultation process. The second part is about what people told us through the consultation.

An Auslan translation will be available shortly. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Thank you for having your say on the future of individual disability advocacy in Australia.

Next steps / watch this space

The final design of the new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program, including any future grant opportunities, is subject to decisions by government.

Any information about potential grant opportunities will be released publicly on GrantConnect, in line with the Commonwealth Grant Rules and Principles 2024.

Organisations can register to receive notifications about forecast and grant opportunities as they arise.

Results updated 2 Apr 2026

Consultation Report – New Individual Disability Advocacy Program (Feb 2026)

Files:

Closed 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

Update – New start date for the new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program

The Australian Government will launch the new Commonwealth individual disability advocacy program on 16 November 2026.

We are committed to ensuring both organisations and clients have sufficient time to prepare.

To support a smooth transition, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will commence work to extend existing grants under the following programs until 31 January 2027:

  • National Disability Advocacy Program, including the Indigenous Community Advocates pilot
  • Disability Advocacy Support Helpline
  • National Centre for Disability Advocacy.

This means there will be a 3-month overlap between these existing programs and the new program that will provide organisations and clients time to prepare. Where necessary, clients will be assisted to transition to other advocacy providers, and organisations will be supported to adjust their operations to meet any new requirements.

 

Audiences

  • Carers and guardians
  • Community groups
  • Families

Interests

  • Disability community