Finding Your Voice with an Advocate

Advocacy is about promoting, protecting, and supporting the rights of people with disability. 

The NDIS can be extremely confusing to navigate. There is a totally new language to understand, many roles within the scheme all working differently, and extensive legalities to navigate. Unfortunately, navigating as a participant, nominee, or carer is not as simple as it should be.

The Department of Social Services has developed support to help people with disability called the National Disability Advocacy Program. If you feel that you are unable to act, speak or write about a difficult situation on your own or don’t have a support network to help you do so, then disability advocacy might be an option. The service is free due to government funding, which makes it accessible to everyone in need.

An advocate is on your side. They are your champion. They are there to support you and speak on your behalf when you don’t feel confident. They can also provide support and information so you feel more confident advocating for yourself.

Depending on your location, there can be lengthy wait times for advocacy support. With advocacy organisations relying on government funding, resources can be stretched when trying to support many people in need. The best thing you can do is be as prepared as possible in the lead-up. Then, once you have been liked in with an advocate, you can hit the ground running.

Once with an advocate (advocates come from a range of different backgrounds and have wide skill sets and knowledge), you will go through a range of questions with them to understand what your situation is and where you need help. If your advocate determines they are not the right support to help, they will assist you to engage with the right service. Whatever is discussed with your advocate is kept confidential unless you wish for the information to be shared.

The list is extensive for reasons an NDIS participant, nominee, or family member might engage with an advocate. Below, we have listed some cases where an advocate might be brought in to help.

Accessing the NDIS

• Assistance with applying for the NDIS, including gathering evidence and understanding eligibility criteria.

• Support with appealing an NDIS access decision if the application is denied.

Plan Reviews & Appeals

• Help in preparing for plan reviews, ensuring necessary supports are included.

• Support with requesting a review of a decision or appealing to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

Navigating the NDIS System

• Understanding how to use the NDIS plan effectively, including managing budgets and finding the right providers.

• Ensuring the participant’s rights are upheld and they receive the appropriate level of support.

Service Issues & Complaints

• Advocating when services are inadequate, providers fail to deliver, or there are disputes over billing.

• Support in lodging complaints with the NDIS Commission about provider misconduct or poor service delivery.

Capacity & Decision-Making Support

• Assisting participants with cognitive or intellectual disabilities to understand choices and make informed decisions.

• Supporting nominees or family members in acting in the participant’s best interest.

Guardianship & Legal Matters

• Guidance in cases where guardianship or administrative support may be required.

• Advocacy in legal disputes related to disability rights, discrimination, or service access.

Preventing Exploitation & Abuse

• Acting as a safeguard if there are concerns about financial abuse, neglect, or exploitation by service providers or others.

• Supporting participants in speaking out about mistreatment or unsafe situations.

Housing & Living Arrangements

• Assistance with securing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) or Supported Independent Living (SIL).

• Advocacy for fair tenancy rights and appropriate housing support.

Employment & Community Access

• Support in accessing NDIS-funded employment supports.

• Advocacy for inclusion in community activities, transport, and social programs.

Many participants and nominees are juggling so many aspects of their lives, and the additional time-consuming task of keeping up with the NDIS is too much. If something comes up that you weren’t expecting and struggle with navigating it, an advocate might be exactly what you need.