Special Voices Disability Law & Advocacy

15/03/2026

The Autumn newsletter is out and contains updates on key NDIS law and related developments:
1. NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Bill update
2. Significant recent Federal Court decision: NDIA v Lee Eastham
3. NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee latest consultation
4. Release of the 'Thriving Kids' report
5. New Administrative Review Tribunal Practice Directions.

On 25 February 2026, the Federal Court of Australia (Justice Hespe) delivered the significant NDIS decision of  Chief Executive Officer of the National Disability Insurance Agency v Eastham [2026] FCA 147. You can find a plain English article on the case (published by ABC News on 4 March 2026)....

18/01/2026

I look forward to presenting at Legalwise's 1-day conference on "Legal Issues in the NDIS: Reforms, Compliance and Risk Avoidance" on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.

For more details and to register, visit

Legal CPD, MCLE, legal seminars, legal conferences in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, WA, ACT, TAS legal web seminars, audio recordings, on-demand seminars, papers

16/12/2025

To all our Clients, Supporters and Friends

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Safe Holidays.

We will be taking a break until Monday 12 January 2026.

See you next year.

16/12/2025

This newsletter brings important NDIS policy and legal updates, including two consultation processes running over Summer:
1. New NDIS Integrity and Safeguarding Bill (public consultation ends on 6 February)
2. First NDIS decisions by the ART’s Guidance and Appeals Panel
3. NDIS planning update
4. NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (public consultation ends on 20 January)
5. Crack down on “misleading and deceptive” NDIS advertising
6. First full Disability Royal Commission Progress Report
7. New CEO of the NDIA.

Earlier this month, the ART’s Guidance and Appeals Panel (GAP) published its first two NDIS decisions. Both matters were referred to the GAP because they “raised issues of significance to administrative decision-making": para 128(2)(a) of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth).

06/10/2025

The Spring Newsletter brings you the below important updates:
1. the new (and still emerging) “Thriving Kids” program;
2. the new “National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention”;
3. NDIS rule change to excuse participants from not having to lodge claims for low-cost frequent travel;
4. the NDIA's procurement of a license for the “needs assessment tool” to be rolled out from mid-2026;
5. current practical challenges in NDIS appeals at the Administrative Review Tribunal;
6. current review of the Disability Discrimination Act.

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On 1 October 2025, the new “National Best Practice Framework for Early Childhood Intervention” was published on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website. You can download the publication here. A public webinar introducing the Framework will be held on Thursday, 16 October 2025 at ...

13/08/2025

Not happy with your ART decision post Hearing? Applicants now have another avenue of appeal: the new Guidance and Appeals Panel in the ART. To learn more read my latest article -

One of the most significant changes included in the October 2024 reform of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – now the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

13/08/2025

Public information session on 15 August (online). Hybrid community forums in August and September. See website for details -

The Attorney-General’s Department is reviewing the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth). The purpose of the review is to implement 15 recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission and ensure the Disability Discrimination Act remains fit for purpose.

10/08/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100064552849882/posts/1177793874382363/

The Australian Government recently announced a review of Australia's Disability Discrimination Act. This is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver much needed reforms which will modernise and simplify the Act so it better protects the rights of people with disability.

We're producing a series of explainers over the next 2 months to help inform people and organisations about a range of issues related to the review process. Our first 2 explainers are now available on our website. Make sure you visit the page regularly to get more explainers and updates over the coming weeks.

https://loom.ly/8ZnIbwQ

30/06/2025

Our Winter Newsletter brings you information on:
1. the new "funding period" arrangements in NDIS plans
2. the new NDIS Price Guide, effective from 1 July 2025
3. DSS's current consultation and review of the NDIS Support Rules
4. Autism CRC's new framework for assessing children's functional strengths and support needs
5. a wrap up of our recent public education talks and other contributions.

On 16 June 2025, the NDIA released its NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits 2025-26 (aka the “price guide”) effective from 1 July 2025. Below are the key changes:

30/06/2025

Read my latest article on 2 important NDIS updates.

As part of the ongoing implementation of the “Getting the NDIS Back on Track” amendments to the NDIS Act (see my article published on the commencement date, 3

07/04/2025

This is not an exception. It’s becoming the norm.

The 2025 Autism Survey documents hundreds of similar stories - and puts hard numbers to the growing crisis.

Download the full report: https://buff.ly/mDVidVz

30/03/2025

Read my new article to understand how the recent (4 March 2025) amendments to the NDIS Rules on funds management will affect participants -

The National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Management of Funding and Plan Management) Rules 2025 (Cth) (“the amendments”) commenced on 4 March 2025.