Media release

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission highly values the voices, leadership and perspectives of people with disability. Our refreshed Advisory Council comprised of disability advocates and reformers will assist in ensuring that people with disability have a direct line of input into the regulation of the NDIS.

The Advisory Council is an independent strategic advisory body that provides advice to the NDIS Commissioner and Associate Commissioner on issues affecting people with disability, NDIS participants and the Scheme.

The Council comprises members who are people with disability or have lived experience of disability, selected through a national Expressions of Interest process that ensures national perspectives inform the NDIS Commission’s regulatory approach.

The Advisory Council is established under the NDIS Act 2013 and operates in accordance with its Terms of Reference.

Advisory Council members

The Advisory Council brings together some of Australia’s most respected disability leaders, including:

• Alan Blackwood — National disability reform and advocacy leader (VIC) 

Alan brings over 30 years’ experience across disability advocacy, policy and service provision. Currently working with the Young People in Nursing Homes National Alliance, he has led national efforts to reduce institutionalisation and expand community-based alternatives. With family experience of disability, Alan is a strong champion of lived experience leadership and systemic reform.

• Melinda Brown — Prominent self advocate for people with intellectual disability (SA)

Melinda is an Inclusion Advisor with the South Australian Council on Intellectual Disability and a member of the NDIS Participant Reference Group. With lived experience of intellectual disability, she is a passionate self advocate focused on accessible communication, peer leadership and ensuring systems are designed with and for people with disability.

• Chris Coombes — Human rights law and safeguarding specialist (QLD)

Chris is the Lived Experience Lead at Knowmore Legal Service and a subject matter specialist with Team DSC. Drawing on lived and family experience of disability and a Master’s in Human Rights Law, Chris has deep expertise in human rights, safeguarding, quality supports, with a focus on psychosocial disability.

• Aaron Cotton — Disability housing and Supported Independent Living reform advocate (QLD)

Aaron is a strong advocate for improved housing choice, safety and compatibility for people with disability. He has direct experience delivering Supported Independent Living services and supporting families to navigate NDIS home and living arrangements. Aaron’s work is informed by his lived experience of disability and sector engagement with Queensland Disability Network.

• Kelly Cox — Internationally recognised disability and human rights leader (NSW)

Kelly is a disabled woman with extensive experience across disability policy, advocacy and systems reform. She has represented disabled people at national and international forums, including the United Nations, and has served on multiple governance and advisory bodies. Her leadership is grounded in human rights and lived experience.

• C. Findlay OAM — Award‑winning writer, speaker and appearance activist (VIC)

Carly is a nationally recognised leader on disability and inclusion. A proud disabled woman and cancer survivor, Carly has been a powerful advocate for the rights, safety and visibility of people with disability across media, arts and public life. In 2020, she received a Medal of the Order of Australia for her work as a disability advocate and activist.

• Carolyn Frohmader AO — Human rights consultant (TAS)

Carolyn specialises in Australia’s obligations under international human rights treaties. For almost three decades, she was the long‑serving CEO of Women with Disabilities Australia, leading nationally and internationally recognised work advancing the rights of women and girls with disability. In 2026, Carolyn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to people with disability, particularly women and girls.

• Ciara Galega — Inclusive governance and disability inclusion leader (WA)

Ciara is a disability inclusion advocate, social entrepreneur and founder of Daring Different. With lived experience as a migrant woman with disability, she works at the intersection of governance, leadership and inclusive systems reform. Her contributions to representation and inclusion have been nationally recognised through multiple community honours.

• Sharon Grocott — Senior disability executive and systems reform leader (NSW)

Sharon is a social worker and senior executive with more than 35 years’ experience across disability, mental health and community services. Her leadership is shaped by lived experience as a young carer and parent navigating the NDIS, and by extensive governance roles focused on embedding lived experience into policy and practice.

• Samantha Jenkinson — Architect of key NDIS policy and safeguarding frameworks (WA)

Samantha has been a leading disability rights advocate since the early 1990s and played a significant role in the design of the NDIS and its quality and safeguarding systems. She brings decades of senior leadership, policy development and regulatory experience, guided by her lived experience of disability.

• Tamika Marshall — Governance leader and regional and remote disability advocate (NT)

Tamika is a governance professional and disability advocate based in the Northern Territory. She operates a disability support services business and serves as Chair of Autism NT. With lived experience as a parent of children with disability, including First Nations children, she brings strong insights into governance, service delivery and regional and remote communities.

For more information, visit NDIS Commission | Consultative Forums 2026 - 2028

Quotes attributable to NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissioner Louise Glanville:

“The Commission’s Advisory Council strengthens how we engage with people with disability and embeds lived experience into everything we do.

Members bring deep expertise across disability rights, advocacy, service delivery, policy and governance, and will play a vital role in shaping our regulatory priorities and safeguarding outcomes for people with disability across Australia.”

Quotes attributable to Advisory Council member Carolyn Frohmader AO:

“I feel honoured to be appointed to the Advisory Council. In the context of the Disability Royal Commission findings and Australia’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the NDIS Commission has a vital role not only in improving service quality, but also in safeguarding people with disability from all forms of violence, abuse and neglect.

Too many people with disability continue to live and work in segregated settings where their voices are excluded and their rights overlooked. The role of the Council is essential in ensuring those voices are heard.”

Quotes attributable to Advisory Council member Alan Blackwood:

“I am privileged to be a member of the Advisory Council and contribute to strengthening safeguards and outcomes for people with disability in collaboration with the Commissioner, Associate Commissioner and Council members.

I look forward to discussing practical solutions in the complex environment we live and work in to ensure we deliver real improvements in the lives of people with disability and their families.”

ENDS

Media Contact

Phone: 02 5162 6911
Email: media@ndiscommission.gov.au