IAC meeting bulletin, 20 February 2026

The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) met online on 20 February 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:

  • What they have heard in their communities

  • An update from the CEO and Board Chair

  • Advice currently in development on justice and home and living.

Principal Member Leah van Poppel led the meeting.

What Members have heard in their communities

Members shared what they have been hearing in the community about planning and reductions to funding in NDIS plans. Members feel lived experience and clinical evidence must both be considered when making planning and funding decisions.

Members highlighted families from non-English speaking backgrounds reporting challenges they have managing complex NDIS access and planning processes without enough support. These participants have reported they need to rely on informal supports.

Members stated community members are still unaware of how they may be impacted by Thriving Kids when it is launched.

Members shared how some self-managing participants don’t feel trusted by the Agency to make manageable and low risk decisions. Members asked the Agency to apply a more educational and supportive approach to ensure participants can continue to self-manage their plans.

Members reported how the community feel generally less enthusiastic and optimistic about the state and future of the Scheme. Members encouraged the Agency to adopt more effective ways to communicate.

Members asked how supported decision making will work and be funded in plans under new framework planning.

Board Chair update

Mr Kurt Fearnley AO, NDIA Board Chair, updated Members. He has been re-appointed as Board Chair for the next 3 years. He acknowledged the worry and anxiety in the disability community, with misinformation often being found on social media. He acknowledged the disability community’s and Members’ sadness after a recent tragedy involving young people with disability in Western Australia.

NDIA CEO update

Mr Graeme Head, NDIA CEO, shared Agency updates with Members and provided brief comments on the issues raised in Member reports.

IAC Advice

The IAC’s Independent Advisors led a discussion with Members on the 3 pieces of advice currently being drafted on:

  • Specialist Disability Accommodation

  • Supported Independent Living

  • Justice and the NDIS.

Out of session meetings

Two recent IAC out of session meetings were held on the topics of the future NDIS outcomes framework and plan management.

More information on the IAC

The IAC will next meet on 25-26 March online and in Geelong. Find out more about IAC and Reference Group meetings and bulletins at the IAC website.

Information in Easy Read

The IAC publishes an Easy Read version of this bulletin. This is part of its commitment to accessibility.