LATEST NEWS
Minister Butler Announcement for Changes within Aged Care and Disability
Health Minister Mark Butler has announced a number of changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and within the aged care system. NDIS changes include a significant reduction in projected participant numbers for the NDIS as well as a replacement of diagnosis-based eligibility with functional capacity assessments. Changes within aged care include the removal of higher private health insurance rebates for older Australians, and a reclassification of personal care services such as showering and dressing as clinical care from October 2026 which will no longer attract direct fees to older people. This has been explained to be in an effort to curb fraud, rebalance funding, and work towards long-term sustainability for both support service systems.
National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2026-2036
The Australian Government has released the National Plan to End the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People 2026-2036 as part of its commitment to respond to the abuse and mistreatment of older people. The Plan’s priorities focus on increasing public awareness, education and engagement, improving laws and systems to protect older people, strengthen service capacity and training, and address evidence and research gaps. The Plan and its summary and program logic are available in various languages including Auslan, Vietnamese and Arabic.
2025 Specialised Support Services (SSS) Consultation – Insights and Outcomes
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released the findings of the 2025 consultation on the delivery of Specialised Support Services (SSS) under the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). This consultation process engaged with 94 organisations to understand how these supports are currently delivered across the sector. The consultation sought to understand the types of activities delivered and how they are delivered, clarify which professionals are involved, and examine how funding is being used.
Have Your Say: Epilepsy in Australia
Submissions are invited in relation to barriers to diagnosis and access to appropriate information, treatment and support for people living with epilepsy. This consultation process will aim to assess and respond to the barriers to accessing support services after diagnosis, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), as well as the availability of medical practitioners. It will also focus on the level of community awareness and understanding of epilepsy, the adequacy of Commonwealth funding for research into epilepsy, as well as any cultural or linguistic barriers that are experienced. Submissions close on 15 May 2026.
NDIS First Nations Strategy
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released the NDIS First Nations Strategy 2025-2030 with an aim to improve outcomes for First Nations participants, their families, carers and communities. This Strategy embeds the knowledge and experiences of First Nations peoples, reflects First Nations concepts of disability and wellbeing, and will provide guidance to make the NDIS more equitable, culturally safe, community-centred and coordinated for First Nations peoples. You can view the Strategy in Auslan, or listen to the Strategy in a range of Aboriginal languages.
Have Your Say: Road Safety Action Plan
Transport for NSW is developing the 2031 Road Safety Action Plan to inform future action over the next five years. The Plan will build on previous work in road safety and will include practical steps to reduce deaths and serious injuries on NSW roads, in line with the Government’s goal to reduce road trauma to zero by 2050. This is especially important in order to ensure safety for vulnerable road users such as older people and people with disability. Community and stakeholder feedback can be provided by attending a community forum or via an online survey.
Impact Under Pressure: Funding, Reporting and Community Outcomes in Western Sydney
Western Sydney Community Forum, in partnership with researchers at UNSW Sydney, is conducting a survey examining how place-based services in Western Sydney are contributing to community outcomes, managing reporting and accountability requirements, and responding to current funding pressures. Senior leaders of place-based community service organisations operating in Western Sydney are invited to take part. The findings will help Western Sydney Community Forum better represent members’ experiences and advocate for policy and funding settings that strengthen community outcomes across Western Sydney.
Quarterly Financial Report Due
Providers must submit their Quarterly Financial Report for Quarter 3 2025-26 by 5 May 2026. This can be done via the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) Registered Provider Portal.
Have Your Say: Current Western Sydney Community Forum Consultation Opportunities
Western Sydney Community Forum is inviting feedback from the community services sector via two consultation opportunities. We are developing a continuous improvement framework for the Western Sydney community services sector and are interested to know what you already do for continuous improvement and which collective practices across the sector may be helpful for your organisation. We are also calling for practice examples of community engagement and embedding lived experience in governance, and are interested to hear how the community services sector engages with communities and embeds the lived experience of their service users in their organisational governance. If your organisation engages in either of these practices, we invite you to share your feedback and input. The deadline for both surveys is Close of Business (COB) on 12 May 2026.
Continuous Improvement in the Western Sydney Community Services Industry
Community Engagement and Embedding Lived Experience in Governance
