First Nations Reference Group meeting bulletin, 15-16 July 2026
The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) First Nations Reference Group met in Alice Springs and online on 15-16 July 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:
What they have heard in their communities
The Agency’s development of policy about paying family members
Support Needs Assessments
Principal Member Leah van Poppel and Reference Group Co-chair Uncle Steve Widders led the meeting.
What Members have heard in their communities
Members shared community concerns about proposed legislative changes to the NDIS and potential impacts on community participation supports. Members fear this will reduce participants’ choice and control and ability to join the community. They also raised risks to the safety and wellbeing of participants.
Members reported some participants’ plans have had funding reductions, including to their short term accommodation funding. Not having respite places stress on participants and their families. Members reported that these changes are coming as a surprise to participants and need to be communicated better by NDIA staff. Members asked that the Agency give participants clear information early, giving them enough time to prepare for any changes to their funding.
Members raised concerns about access to disability support workers while participants are in hospital. Participants feel that having less access to these supports places their health and safety at risk.
Members reported that suppliers are not repairing participants’ broken equipment quickly enough, despite it being under warranty. Participants are often waiting 3 months for repairs to vital equipment, such as wheelchairs.
Members provided the Agency with positive feedback about the recently introduced First Nations Connect call centre.
Informal support, family and related claiming policy
The Agency discussed proposed policies and sought members feedback and advice.
Family as paid supports policy
The Agency led Members in a discussion about how it should approach the idea of family as paid supports. They discussed what should be some considerations for when and how First Nations participants could pay family and kin to deliver NDIS supports.
Home and Living Advice
Members discussed the IAC’s recent Home and Living Advice.
Support Needs Assessments
The Agency sought Members’ input on the design, delivery and testing of the new Support Needs Assessment for First Nations participants.
More information on the Reference Group
The First Nations Reference Group will next meet on 10-11 November in Geelong and online. 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.