About this implementation plan
This implementation plan supports our Disability Action Plan 2025–2030 (Disability Action Plan). It outlines the actions the NDIS Commission will take in the 2025–26 financial year as we work towards achieving the objectives in our Disability Action Plan.
There are 3 objectives in our Disability Action Plan:
accessibility in our environments and digital systems
NDIS Commission an employer of choice for people with disability
NDIS Commission leading disability inclusion.
Each action has a timeline:
Quarter 1: July to September 2025
Quarter 2: October to December 2025
Quarter 3: January to March 2026
Quarter 4: April to June 2026.
Objective 1: Accessibility in our environments and digital systems
In our Disability Action Plan, we committed to using accessibility best practice in our physical and digital work environments. We will make sure everyone can fully participate in our workplace. Our built environment, systems and digital spaces will respond to the diverse needs of people with disability.
We will take these actions to improve accessibility in our environments and digital systems.
Accessible auto replies
Introduce accessibility guidelines that improve automated one-to-one communication (auto replies). They will apply across the NDIS Commission and include communications in our customer relationship management system.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Accessible customer service
Continue to improve accessibility and engagement for incoming phone enquiries. This includes communication through the interactive voice system and voice-to-voice calls. This will be measured with call handling metrics (duration, on hold and cancellation rates).
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Easy Read capability
Deliver Easy Read training across the Communications, Engagement and Education branch. By quarter 2, we will have 15 people trained. This will:
- increase our capacity
- improve the ease and speed of creating Easy Read documents
- reduce our costs.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Human Centred Design
Improve the understanding of Human Centred Design principles across the NDIS Commission. We will create and run workshops and feedback sessions with NDIS Commission staff.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Intranet improvement
Rethink our intranet (SharePoint) with a focus on accessibility and better user experiences. This will involve:
- co-design
- a multi-divisional working group
- governance processes
- risk registers.
Progress will be tracked through dashboards and quarterly Executive Management Group updates.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Website readability and accessibility
Continue to improve the readability and accessibility of our external facing websites. We will use global benchmarking tools (Kincaid Fleischer) and best-practice design principles. We aim to lift our readability to Grade 9 on the majority of pages.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) compliance
Ensure WCAG 2.2 compliance (or better) for all communication. Consider the use of a third party to audit our sites and give advice on potential improvements.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Communications, Engagement and Education
Accessible and inclusive online meetings
Develop principles that make online meetings more accessible and inclusive. Maintain that standard with staff education about principles, actions and benefits.
Timeline: Quarter 2 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Practice Quality
Data and Regulatory Transformation (DART) program co-design
Co-design DART program deliverables by engaging people with lived experience of disability. Include co-design in the design to delivery phases.
Timeline: Quarter 2 and quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Data and Regulatory Transformation and Enabling Services
National Office Design Standards
Develop National Office Design Standards for all new office spaces. The standards will apply design-for-dignity principles as new office spaces come online. This supports the Disability Action Plan objectives by making the NDIS Commission a leader in accessible workplace design.
Timeline: Quarter 3 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Data and Regulatory Transformation and Enabling Services
Site accessibility audits
Conduct accessibility audits of sites that have at least 2 years remaining on their lease agreements. This will identify current barriers and guide future fit-out upgrades, so they meet the National Office Design Standards.
Timeline: Quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Data and Regulatory Transformation and Enabling Services
Objective 2: NDIS Commission an employer of choice for people with disability
In our Disability Action Plan, we committed to becoming an employer of choice for people with disability.
We will attract the best talent by providing a safe and inclusive environment. We will support staff to work at their full capacity and achieve their career aspirations. We will have inclusive, confident and capable leaders who make employees with disability feel safe and supported. These leaders will provide an example for all our staff.
We will take these actions to become an employer of choice for people with disability.
Accessible and inclusive online event guidelines
Create guidelines for accessible and inclusive meetings and events. They will cover planning and hosting in person, hybrid and virtual events.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
DART recruitment
Explore affirmative measures in recruitment for the DART program. This includes vendors, contractors and Australian Public Service recruitment.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Data and Regulatory Transformation Division and Enabling Services
Disability Liaison Officer
Establish a Disability Liaison Officer position (Affirmative Measures: Disability) to implement Workplace Adjustments Procedures.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Disability leave application
Finalise changes in ESSentials to make disability leave requests self-service.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Workplace Adjustments Policy and Passport
Finalise and publish the updated Workplace Adjustments Policy and Passport.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Changing Mindsets workshop
Deliver the Changing Mindsets workshop.
Timeline: Quarter 2 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Disability confidence awareness
Deliver Disability Confidence Awareness training for staff and managers across the organisation.
Timeline: Quarter 2 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Recruitment of practitioner roles
Review how we recruit roles that need practitioner skills:
- review position descriptions and the interview process
- present the roles as desirable for people with disability by highlighting:
- reasonable adjustments
- the Enable Network
- the affirmative measures being considered.
Timeline: Quarter 2 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Practice Quality
Building connection
Work with employee networks to develop guidance to help build staff connection and community.
Timeline: Quarter 3 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Disability Employment Strategy
Start developing a Disability Employment Strategy.
Timeline: Quarter 3 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Accessible training
Improve training accessibility. Make sure all staff have equal access to learning and development.
Timeline: Quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Objective 3: NDIS Commission leading disability inclusion.
In our Disability Action Plan, we committed to being a trusted organisation with the NDIS sector. We will be a visible and values-driven organisation. We will partner with people with disability and a range of external stakeholders. We will drive social change and challenge stigma, bias and assumptions.
We will take these actions to become a leader in disability inclusion.
Committee membership
The NDIS Commission is a member of key intergovernmental committees relevant to:
- people with disability
- providers
- workers
- the disability industry.
Timeline: Ongoing | Executive responsible: Commissioner and Associate Commissioner
Relationships with disability representative organisations
Establish and strengthen our relationships with disability representative organisations. For example, engaging with First Peoples Disability Network and Australian Federation of Disability Organisations quarterly.
Timeline: Quarterly | Executive responsible: Commissioner and Associate Commissioner
Disability Action Plan implementation and monitoring
Create governance for Disability Action Plan implementation and monitoring. Include oversight and reporting.
Timeline: Quarter 1 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture
Advisory Council and Disability Forum
Roll out refreshed Advisory Council and Disability Forum structures.
Timeline: Quarter 2 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Complaints and Engagement
Business planning and Disability Action Plan
Add the Disability Action Plan and other inclusion frameworks to annual divisional business planning.
Timeline: Quarter 3 | Executive responsible: Assistant Commissioner, Finance and Governance
Disability Action Plan progress reporting
Publicly report our progress on this 12-month implementation plan.
Timeline: Quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, People and Culture (supported by Research and Evaluation)
Human rights and the NDIS Act
Publish new guidance about human rights under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth) – externally and internally.
Timeline: Quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Regulatory Policy, Insights and Review
Perspectives of people with disability
Use tools to capture the perspective of people with disability about their:
- quality of life
- how services can respond effectively.
Timeline: Quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Regulatory Policy, Insights and Review
Policy work
Progress policy work on:
- potentially avoidable deaths of people with disability
- the prevention of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Timeline: Quarter 4 | Executive responsible: Deputy Commissioner, Regulatory Policy, Insights and Review