Intellectual Disability Reference Group meeting bulletin, 19-20 August 2026
The Independent Advisory Council (IAC) Intellectual Disability Reference Group met in Perth and online on 19-20 August 2026. At the meeting, they discussed:
What they have heard in their communities
IAC Work Plan and the Reference Group’s 2026-27 priorities
Easy Read plans and Support Needs Assessments
Principal Member Leah van Poppel led the meeting.
What Members have heard in their communities
Members shared community queries about how the new Support Needs Assessment will work. Some points raised included that participants often already have assessments that explain how their disability affects their everyday life. They are concerned that the Support Needs Assessment will mean they have to do more assessments. Members recommended the Agency trust participants’ existing assessments and not apply the Support Needs Assessment tool for them.
Members spoke positively about the Agency’s Plan Implementation Meetings and how the Agency is using the term ‘Therapy Supports’, as well as ‘Stated Supports’ in participant plans. Members are still concerned participants may not have enough funds to pay for all needed therapies. They recommended that the Agency explain in clearer terms which therapies each plan covers.
Members shared concerns from communities about cuts to participant plan funding, despite the participant’s circumstances having not changed.
Participants have reported to Members that the Agency is shifting them from ‘self-managed’ to ‘Agency-managed’ plans, which has large impacts.
The Agency said that while plan reviews are common, there have been no changes in practice before new legislation becomes law.
Members shared community reports of burn out among informal supporters and carers.
Members shared how participants are worried about the legislation changes, especially cuts to social and community participation funding. Members noted how important community participation funding is to people with disabilities in First Nations communities.
Members reported disability communities in regional, rural and remote areas finding it hard to access the Scheme. Specialists fly in and out to see participants and can’t build the same cultural or quality relationships that a local specialist could.
Agency update
The Agency updated Members on the Easy Read Plans project, and on Support Needs Assessments.
Terms of Reference review
Members discussed the Reference Group’s draft Terms of Reference.
IAC Work Plans and Reference Group priorities
Members discussed details of the group’s focus areas linked to the IAC Work Plan.
IAC Advice update
Members discussed key elements needed in the Planning and Support in Emergencies advice that is at an early stage of development.
More information on the Reference Group
The Intellectual Disability Reference Group will next meet 18-19 November in Brisbane 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.