Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service

25/08/2026

The vote has happened. Now we need to come together.
The last few months have asked a lot of our community.
People with disability and families have shared deeply personal experiences, made submissions, contacted politicians, followed inquiries and fought hard for an NDIS that delivers the support, choice and control people were promised.
The NDIS changes have now passed Parliament.

So what actually changed? What do the amendments mean? What happens next? And how are we all feeling after everything that's happened?

Join Every Australian Counts and members of our Steering Committee for a special Protect Our NDIS Community Debrief.

📅 Friday 28 Aug
⏰ 12pm AEST
💻 Online via Zoom
🔗 Register: https://events.humanitix.com/after-the-vote-ndis-community-debrief

We'll explain the changes in plain English, talk about what we need to watch as they're implemented, share information about where people can get help, and most importantly, make space for our community to talk.

You can ask questions, share what's on your mind or simply come along and listen.
This has been a tough fight. You don't have to process what happened on your own.
The vote has happened. Our community is still here, and our campaign is not over.

[Image description: Every Australian Counts event graphic promoting “After the Vote: NDIS Community Debrief”. The NDIS changes have passed Parliament, and the community is invited to come together online via Zoom on Friday 28 August, from 12–1:30pm AEST. A “Register Now” button appears at the bottom.]

20/08/2026

Every Australian Counts is here to make sure the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is delivered as promised and is the best it can be. Find out how the NDIS process works and hear real stories from people who have been through the process, and keep up to date with the NDIS rollout with lat...

18/08/2026

Gaps like this are not about paying men and women differently for the same job. They're usually about who holds which roles: men concentrated in senior, higher paid positions, women in lower paid, customer facing ones. As a customer, you'd never see that. It's invisible unless the data is made publi...

07/08/2026

At the request of PWDA, a number of Disability Representative Organisations, legal organisations and representatives from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing met to discuss the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

The roundtable provided an opportunity for organisations to present evidence of the significant and foreseeable harm this Bill will cause if it passes in its current form directly to Government representatives involved in developing and drafting the legislation.

Our organisations stress that the evidence is clear. The harm and risks are foreseeable.

Parliament now has the opportunity to prevent that harm by rejecting this Bill in its current form.

Read more: https://buff.ly/06T4bOg

03/08/2026

PWDA is warning the Government is pushing ahead with the biggest changes in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) before the agencies responsible for delivering them are ready.

Acting CEO Megan Spindler-Smith, said the recent evidence showing 40 per cent of a sample of providers continued claiming supports that were no longer permitted raised a simple question for Parliament.

“If the NDIA is still struggling to implement and effectively administer changes introduced almost a year ago, why should Parliament have confidence it can safely and effectively deliver the biggest reforms in the Scheme’s history, where even more is at stake for people with disability?

PWDA is urging Parliament to not pass the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

The evidence shows the Government has targeted the wrong problem.

Instead of fixing the institutions responsible for administering and safeguarding the NDIS, it has created new pathways to reduce participant supports.

The foreseeable result is not a stronger Scheme.

It is greater harm for people with disability.

Read more: https://pwd.org.au/media-release-pwda-warns-new-evidence-shows-government-is-not-ready-for-sweeping-ndis-reforms/

27/07/2026

We're Hiring!

Villamanta is looking for a Senior Community Lawyer to join out close knit team.

For more information on the position and how to apply, check out our job on Ethical Jobs:

https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/villamanta/senior-community-lawyer-geelong-west-4?workTypes=3

26/07/2026

Today at 2:00pm is the National AusAlert test will occur.

All compatible mobile devices will activate a loud alarm for roughly 10 seconds.
This is just a test, you don't have to do anything.

If you have a mobile device that you do not want the alarm to sound on, before 2:00pm today, you can turn the device off or put it in airplane mode, and leave it for one hour.

For more information visit: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/alerts-explained/national-test

For an easy read explainer visit: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/community-resources

23/07/2026

Calling on young people with disabilities and photos to share!
This September the Young Workers Centre are celebrating young people's talents, achievements, ideas and contributions to the world.

Check out the link below for more details and how to submit:

https://forms.swiftfoxcrm.com/survey?token=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzdXJ2ZXlJZCI6IjQzMiIsInRlbmFudCI6InZ0aGMiLCJraW5kIjoiZm9ybSIsImlhdCI6MTc4MjM2MzAzOX0.-ZB3GXn7j6Yy4zvoRhaMIKyOZG0x9yCmQ69zY47amrI

What does Solidarity mean to you?
To us, solidarity represents mutual care, collective resilience, and everyday acts of support that bind communities together. We are excited to announce our open call for photographers living in Victoria aged 25 and under to document moments of togetherness: friends lifting each other up, communities coming together in difficult times, family or chosen family providing connection.

With free entry to submit and zero printing costs involved, artists of all skill levels are encouraged to participate.
Solidarity will be on display early September in Carlton before touring to Bendigo.
for more info or head to the link in our bio!!

This event is supported by the Victorian Government.

16/07/2026

Join us for a free information session presented by Villamanta and lived-experience advocates outlining the Victorian Redress Scheme, eligibility and available supports.

This online information session held on Zoom will provide an overview of the Victorian Redress Scheme and the supports available to people who experienced physical, emotional or psychological abuse or neglect as children in institutional settings prior to 1990.

Information will be provided regarding who may be eligible, the types of support available and the options applicants may have.

Note: This session is intended for self-advocacy organisations supporting people who may have been affected. Participants will greater understand the scheme and know how to share clear, accessible information with possible applicants.

Scan the QR code or visit the link below to reserve your spot:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/victorian-redress-scheme-information-session-tickets-1993976500389?aff=oddtdtcreator

15/07/2026

Check out our latest Housing Justice blog Post: New SIL standards about housing – what this means for you?

Some SIL providers also provide housing.

These are known as ‘SIL houses’.

The NDIS Commission have new standards for these SIL house providers.

Standards are like rules that must be followed.

See the standards here: Supported independent living: Agreements about tenancy, housing and support arrangements | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Here is what you should know….

You should have 2 different agreements
– One for housing: where you live

– One for support: the help you get in the house

They should NOT be put together.

You should get your own copy of each agreement.

Understanding your agreements
Your agreements must be explained to you in a way YOU understand.

Changing providers
– If you are not happy you can change your SIL provider.

– Your provider MUST make it possible for you to change.

– You cannot be told to move out if you change your SIL provider.

Housing laws
Your provider must follow all the housing laws.

– For example: you should have a key to your own home!

You can get help
– You can get outside help about your rights

– If you need, your provider should support you to get help about your rights from an advocate or lawyer.

Speaking up
It is okay to COMPLAIN!

– Your provider should make it feel safe for you to speak up and say if something is wrong.

– You will not get in trouble if you complain!

You can tell the NDIS Commission if you have a problem with your SIL provider.

Make a complaint to the NDIS Commission by:

– Phone: 1800 035 544

– Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Remember:
In your home you have the right to:

– Feel safe

– Feel secure

– Feel respected

Get free legal help
If you live in Victoria and have problems with your SIL housing, contact Villamanta Disability Rights Legal Service for support.

– Email: [email protected]

– Phone: 1800 014 111

Read this blog post on our website here: https://villamanta.org.au/news/new-sil-standards-about-housing-what-this-means-for-you/