Disability and Carers
The Australian Government is committed to supporting all people with disability to thrive in diverse and inclusive communities.
The Department of Social Services (the department) supports the independence of, and economic participation by, people with disability and carers by providing targeted supports.
Supports are provided through a range of payments, programs and services, and grants and funding for organisations.
More information is available under publications and articles, standards and quality assurance, and related agencies and sites.
Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031
The Australian Government Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 (ADS) was developed by all levels of government alongside people with disability, their families, carers and representatives.
ADS aims to drive change to uphold the rights, inclusion and participation of people with disability in all areas of Australian life.
ADS and supporting documents are available on Australia’s Disability Strategy Hub on the Disability Gateway. A range of documents are available as Easy Read, and community languages including Auslan.
National Autism Strategy
The Australian Government is developing a National Autism Strategy in close consultation with the Autism community.
The Strategy will be for all Autistic Australians. It will cover key reform areas including access to services, healthcare, education, and employment. It will help to guide a more coordinated, national approach supporting autistic people at each stage of life.
See our National Autism Strategy page for more information about the Strategy.
Disability Reforms
The Australian Government is working with states and territories and the disability community to prepare for reforms that address the findings in the:
- final report of the Royal Commission into Violence Abuse Neglect and Exploitation of people with Disability (Disability Royal Commission)
- final report of the Independent Review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS Review)
People with disability will be at the centre of the disability reforms. This means the Australian Government will consider the views people with disability have about what changes are needed and how they should be implemented when planning the reforms and putting them into place.
Disability reforms require a national effort, with input from all Australian Government departments, state and territory governments, and engagement with the disability sector and community.
The Australian Government is committed to working collaboratively with states and territories and the disability community to progress the required reform.
Achieving a more inclusive Australia will take a coordinated effort from everyone. This includes creating more opportunities for people with disability and without disability to live, work and play together.
Disability Royal Commission
The Disability Royal Commission looked at what needs to change to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, and how to achieve a safe, inclusive and accessible society. The final report includes 12 volumes and 222 recommendations.
A Commonwealth Disability Royal Commission Taskforce has been established to coordinate the Australian Government’s response. Read more about the Commonwealth Disability Royal Commission Taskforce.
In March 2024, the Australian Government released a Progress Update on how it is considering the Disability Royal Commission’s final report. A summary of the Progress Update is available in Easy Read, Auslan, Braille and large print.
Australian, state and territory Disability Ministers have also released a Joint Statement on the Disability Royal Commission.
NDIS Review
The NDIS Review consulted with the disability community over 12 months, engaging with around 10,000 people. After receiving almost 4,000 submissions, the report made 26 recommendations that aim to restore trust, confidence and pride in the NDIS.
The Australian Government publicly released the final report in December 2023.
Visit ndisreview.gov.au for more information about the Independent Review panel and how the NDIS Review was conducted.
See our NDIS reforms page for information about how the Australian Government is working with the disability community to reform the NDIS.
NDIS Review Town Halls
A series of NDIS Review Town Hall events across Australia offered the disability community the opportunity to learn more about the recommendations of the NDIS Review.
See our NDIS Review Town Halls page for information about these events, including event recordings, summaries and frequently asked questions.
‘Getting the NDIS Back on Track’ Bill
The Australian Government introduced changes to the NDIS Act on 27 March 2023 that will enable future improvements to the NDIS and strengthen the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
See our Changes to the NDIS Act page for more information.
Government responses to the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review
The Australian Government is carefully considering the recommendations in the final reports of both the Disability Royal Commission and the NDIS Review before providing its responses.
Supporting carers
Almost 2.65 million Australians care for someone with disability, a medical condition, mental illness or someone who is frail due to age. The Australian Government helps carers remain engaged in the community, participate in the workforce and stay healthy while continuing their caring role through the provision of funding for a range of supports, services and financial assistance.
See our Supporting Carers page for more information on programs, services and payments.
COVID-19 Information and support for people with disability and carers
For information and support about COVID-19 please visit our information and support page.
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