NDIA Strengthens Commitment to Closing the Gap for First Nations Participants
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has released a new Statement of Commitment aligned with the Australian Government’s National Agreement on Closing the Gap, marking an important step toward improving outcomes for First Nations people with disability.
This initiative outlines how the NDIA will work more closely with First Nations communities, families, carers, and service providers to deliver more equitable, culturally safe, and inclusive support through the NDIS.
What This Means for First Nations Participants
The Statement of Commitment focuses on creating a more inclusive and culturally responsive NDIS that better supports First Nations people.
Key priorities include:
- Improving access to appropriate and culturally safe supports
- Empowering participants to build independence and achieve their goals
- Strengthening partnerships with First Nations communities
- Ensuring participants have a stronger voice in shaping services
This reflects a broader shift towards participant-led, community-informed service delivery.
A More Culturally Safe and Inclusive NDIS
NDIA CEO Graeme Head AO highlighted that the commitment will help transform how the agency works with First Nations people.
The focus is on embedding the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms into all areas of the NDIA’s operations, ensuring:
- Greater cultural understanding across the organisation
- Improved engagement with First Nations communities
- More consistent and equitable participant experiences
NDIA Deputy CEO First Nations, Dr Janine Mohamed, emphasised that the goal is to build a system that is respectful, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of First Nations participants.
Key Commitments from the NDIA
The Statement outlines several important commitments aimed at improving equity and outcomes:
✔ Recognising the impact of disability, culture, race, and social factors on wellbeing
✔ Responding to the diverse needs of First Nations communities at a local level
✔ Embedding culturally safe, respectful, and trauma-informed practices
✔ Continuously reviewing and improving internal systems and processes
These commitments aim to ensure that the NDIS better reflects the lived experiences of First Nations people.
Actions and Implementation
To support immediate progress, the NDIA has committed to a range of actions through its 2025 Closing the Gap Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan.
Key actions include:
- Increasing First Nations representation within the NDIA workforce
- Strengthening cultural safety across the disability sector
- Improving engagement with First Nations communities
- Developing a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework guided by Indigenous Data Governance
- Supporting the implementation of the NDIS First Nations Strategy
These steps are designed to create long-term, sustainable improvements in how supports are delivered.
Why This Matters
This commitment is a significant step toward reducing inequality and ensuring that First Nations people with disability receive fair, respectful, and culturally appropriate support.
It reinforces the importance of:
- Listening to First Nations voices
- Building strong community partnerships
- Delivering services that are culturally informed and participant-focused
Moving Forward
The NDIA has made it clear that this is not just a policy commitment, but an ongoing process of change.
By working alongside First Nations people, families, carers, and service providers, the agency aims to build a more inclusive NDIS that supports better outcomes for all.
At Therapeutic Support, we support initiatives that promote equity, cultural safety, and improved access to disability services, and we remain committed to delivering inclusive, person-centred care within our community.
