Following announcements from the Federal Government regarding proposed changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which are anticipated to reduce participant numbers nationally by approximately 160,000 by 2030, we requested information from the Queensland Government regarding what programs, services and additional supports are currently in place, or being considered, to assist individuals who may be impacted by these changes.
The Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services has since provided the following response outlining current programs and the Queensland Government’s position:
The Queensland Government and Minister Camm are concerned at the scale and rate of change proposed by the Commonwealth Government, which has announced far-reaching changes without consulting people with disability or with states and territories. Because of this, the Queensland Government welcomes the Commonwealth’s decision to defer implementation of the new framework for planning until 1 April 2027, in response to clear feedback from states and territories, people with disability and community stakeholders.
We also recognise the pressure on service providers already facing viability challenges, particularly in regional and remote areas. The Queensland Government will continue to advocate for a phased approach to ensure continuity of supports, particularly in remote and thin markets.
The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring people with disability, their families and carers are valued, supported, and have a voice. Funding is provided to advocacy and peak services to support and represent the needs of people with disability and the sector that supports them. In 2025–2026, the Queensland Government invested $11.625 million in the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program, along with over $5 million in the Disability Peak and Representative Bodies Program. In addition to this funding, the Queensland Government is continuing the design of supports that will be offered under the new Thriving Kids program for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or Autism, as well as their families, carers, and kin.
As a part of the funding delivered by the Queensland Government, the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program funds organisations across Queensland to deliver advocacy services for people with disability, their family members, and carers. The advocacy service help and support people with disability to understand their rights, navigate the NDIS, address gaps in support, address discrimination and unfair treatment, make informed decisions, assist with legal matters and provide community with information and referrals to disability support services.
In addition to the Queensland Disability Advocacy Program, the Queensland Disability Peak and Representative Bodies Programs help and support people with disability to access information, receive support services and referrals, be up to date with news, provide expert advice to government based on feedback from the disability community, promote community awareness to remove barriers and develop resources to support employers in recruiting people with disability.
We appreciate the update outlining the programs currently in place, including disability advocacy and representative support services, and will continue to seek further clarity on what practical supports may be available for Queenslanders who could be impacted by these changes.
As previously raised, while many of these decisions sit at a Federal level, it remains important that if participant access changes, state-based services and supports are sufficient to assist vulnerable individuals, families and carers who may require alternative pathways or additional support.
We will continue to monitor this issue, including any impacts on local disability services, advocacy organisations and families across the Noosa electorate, and provide updates as further information becomes available.
Further information
For more information on disability supports in Queensland, visit: www.qld.gov.au/disability
To contact the Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services, email: fsds@ministerial.qld.gov.au
Please copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive.