Policy and Advocacy Disability Update 28 January 2025

New NDIS Minister and NDIS Advisory Body

On 16 January 2025 it was announced that Amanda Rishworth, current Minister for Social Services, would assume the role of Minister for the NDIS, replacing Bill Shorten who departed the role on 20 January 2025.

On 15 January 2025, the Government also announced the formation of a new NDIS Reform Advisory Committee that will be co-chaired by disability advocates El Gibbs and Dougie Herd and operate for five years. The committee will be supported by eight additional members from states and territories and three additional members appointed through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. Once the committee’s Terms of Reference (TOR) are finalised, the EOI process will begin. The TOR and EOI will be published on the DSS Engage website shortly.

OTA has written to Minister Rishworth to congratulate her on her appointment as NDIS Minister and commend the efforts government has taken to prioritise lived experiences in shaping NDIS reforms via the establishment of the new advisory committee. OTA also called on the Minister to prioritise increased engagement with clinical peak bodies during NDIS reforms.

Read more about the new NDIS Advisory body here.

NDIS First Nations Strategy 2025-2030

Government has announced an NDIS First Nations Strategy, which is designed to ensure First Nations people living with disability receive culturally safe and accessible support under the NDIS. The strategy has four key priority areas which are:

Making the NDIS pathway more equitable and culturally safe for First Nations people.

Building First Nations governance into the NDIA’s decision-making, co-design, and operations.

Building better systems within the NDIS and across sectors, to deliver a better journey and outcomes for First Nations participants.

Tracking change in the experiences and outcomes of First Nations participants and using these learnings to continue improving.