There’s some positive news coming out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and we wanted to share it with you.

The Australian Government is making moves to improve how the NDIS works for First Nations Australians. The focus? Giving First Nations participants more choice, more control, and better access to services that actually fit their cultural needs.

Why This Matters

Here’s something that might surprise you: around 8% of all NDIS participants identify as First Nations people. That’s a significant number. But when you look at how many disability service providers are actually owned and run by First Nations people or organisations, the numbers don’t match up. There’s a real gap there.

For many First Nations Australians, having access to support workers and services that understand their culture, their community, and their way of doing things isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential to getting the right support.

What’s Being Done About It?

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has kicked off consultations on something called the First Nations Market and Sector Development Strategy. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but here’s what it’s really about:

The goal is to get more Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal Business Enterprises involved in the NDIS market. That means more First Nations-owned providers, more culturally appropriate services, and ultimately more genuine choices for participants.

The strategy also aims to improve access to services in First Nations communities… particularly in regional and remote areas where options can be limited.

Looking Ahead

This initiative ties in with the broader NDIS First Nations Strategy 2025-30, which sets out a longer-term plan for making the scheme work better for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

It’s good to see real steps being taken to address these gaps. When people have access to services that respect their culture and understand their needs, the support just works better.

We’ll keep you posted as more details come through from these consultations.