Equity and Inclusion Reference Group meeting bulletin, 14 May 2025
The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Equity and Inclusion Reference Group (Reference Group) met online on 14 May 2025. They discussed:
what they have heard in their communities about the NDIS
the IAC draft workplan for 2025-2026
an update on the NDIA’s Gender Equality Strategy.
Ms Leah van Poppel, IAC Principal Member and Reference Group Co-Chair, and Adjunct Associate Professor Jennifer Cullen AM, Reference Group Co-Chair, led the meeting.
What members have heard in their communities
Members shared how some support coordinators aren’t sure what their role will be once navigators are introduced. This impacts how participants, their families and carers will find help. The NDIA noted its communications about navigators needed to be clearer.
Members shared ongoing community confusion about NDIS supports and changes to the ‘in and out lists’. The NDIA noted the several steps it had taken to make its online information more accessible, including translating the updated rules into 17 different languages.
Members shared the importance of foundational supports and the need for the NDIA to understand their importance. They urged the NDIA to focus on what matters to each participant, including their cultural and community-specific needs.
Members reported how participants are continuing to receive unexpected phone calls for plan reviews and are afraid their plan funding will be cut if they do not take the calls. Members also shared concerns about older participants having plan reviews, as plan funding cuts could force them into aged care. The NDIA noted that if a participant over 65 is receiving aged care supports, this needs to be considered part of their plan.
Members raised general confusion around how psychosocial disability fits in the NDIS. They pushed for more foundational supports, as few are available beyond a participant’s initial diagnosis. Members also noted a lack of training for health workers to become psychosocial disability specialists. The NDIA said the National Mental Health Reference Group’s work plan will focus on recovery, psychosocial supports and the relationship between NDIS funded supports and new foundational supports.
Members welcomed the recent election of the new Member for Dickson, Ali France MP, who is a person with disability, and provides further disability representation in parliament. Members shared some confusion in the community about there being two new Ministers for the NDIS. The NDIA noted that Letters of Orders will soon define the responsibilities for each Minister.
IAC draft Work Plan 2025-2026
The IAC’s Independent Advisors provided an update on the draft IAC Work Plan, which will guide the IAC’s work from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. The Advisors told Members how they rely on their specialist expertise and lived experience to inform the plan. They shared how the work of the Reference Group and its insights will contribute to the delivery of the Work Plan. There will be a sub-plan specific to the Equity and Inclusion Reference Groups’ activities. Members ask that the Work Plan include innovation, and intersectionality.
Gender Equality Strategy workshop
The NDIA briefed Members on the development of a new NDIS Gender Equality Strategy. The Strategy will explore where gender inequity exists among NDIS participants and identify actions that the Agency can take to address these gaps. Members noted the importance of including trans women’s voices and factoring in women’s needs.
More information on the Reference Group
The Equity and Inclusion Reference Group will next meet on Wednesday 20 – Thursday 21 August 2025 in Launceston and online. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.
The IAC publishes an Easy Read version of this bulletin. This is part of its commitment to accessibility.