The Evolution of Disability Support: 16th Annual National Disability Summit Returns to Melbourne
In an era of transformative change for Australia’s disability sector, the 16th Annual National Disability Summit emerges as the premier gathering for industry leaders navigating the post-Royal Commission landscape. Returning to Melbourne on September 18-19, 2025, this landmark event arrives at a pivotal moment as the sector implements the most significant reforms in a decade.
The carefully curated program examines the disability landscape in its entirety, questioning and challenging how we can provide better support for people with disability, their families, and carers. At its core, the Summit explores how we can maximise independence and participation by creating greater choice.
Reimagining Support in the NDIS 2.0 Era
As Australia embarks on the ambitious NDIS 2.0 reform agenda, a comprehensive overhaul designed to enhance service quality, improve participant outcomes, and create sustainable systems for the future. Attendees will gain actionable insights and key takeaways for organisations adapting to new workforce standards and quality benchmarks. Attendees will gain access to data-driven strategies that balance regulatory requirements with innovative service models—a critical advantage as the sector faces unprecedented scrutiny.
Where Decision Makers Meet
The National Disability Summit bring together an extremely passionate audience broken down into NDIS, and wider disability services providers, high-level executives, policy makers, community care organisations, support coordinators, people with disability, carers, intermediaries, state & federal government agencies, council organisations nationwide, NDIS representatives, aged care facilities, and aged care providers.
Shaping the Next Chapter of Disability Support
The National Disability Summit stands as both witness and catalyst to this transformative period—a place where the industry’s challenges are acknowledged and its future is actively designed by those most invested in its success.
For those leading organisations through this complex landscape, this event represents not just professional development, but strategic necessity. Over two days, participants will gain the insights, connections, and practical frameworks needed to thrive in disability support’s next chapter.
Topics to be addressed include:
- It’s Not ‘Too Hard’: Creating Better Employment Opportunities for People with Disability
- Surviving to Thriving
- Lived Experience Perspectives
- Registration Taskforce
- The Legislative Implications of the New NDIS Bill
- Foundational Supports
- Disability Workforce: Engaging Staff in the Safe Delivery of Care
- How to be Innovative in the Current Climate
- What’s Next? The Disability Sector Post Royal Commission and NDIS Review
- Regulating Practices & Organisations
- How do we Keep Vulnerable People Safe?
- We’re Stronger Together
- Access to Healthcare
- The Importance of Sports
- Regional, Rural and Remote Access to Disability Service Providers
What’s Included?
In-Person Delegates will gain access to these event features:
- Leading Industry Keynotes
- Interactive Q&A with each session
- Hearing from Lived Experiences
- Dedicated Networking Breaks
- Connecting with Speakers & Fellow Delegates
- Meeting with Vendors & Solution Providers
- Access to the Event App: ConnectME
- Networking Drinks
- Multi-Disciplinary Panel Discussions
- Networking Dinner (optional extra)
- Pre-Event Workshop (optional extra)
CALL FOR PAPERS – NOW CLOSED FOR 2025 (Closed 12th May 2025).
We encourage you to register your interest to speak, and/or nominate a colleague! Please include any topic, themes, or ideas you want to be featured in 2025.
For speaker submissions, please include the following information:
- Name, job title, organisation
- Presentation title
- 3-5 dot points explaining your main discussion points (40 words max.)
- Would you like to join a panel discussion? Please list your topic suggestions
- Would you like to facilitate a workshop? Please suggest workshop topics
To submit and for any queries, please contact:
Katrina Bowns
Senior Conference Producer
e: [email protected]
t: 02 9080 4322