EmpowerAbility FNQ

03/02/2026

Support Coordinators and Disability Advocacy

A support coordinator is not an independent advocate. In line with the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth), an independent advocate cannot be:
* A staff member of the NDIA
* A staff member of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
* A registered or unregistered NDIS provider, including support coordinators.

The Disability Advocacy Fact Sheet outlines what disability advocacy is, why it is important and why independence matters.
https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-legal-rights/resource/disability-advocacy-fact-sheet

https://www.ndis.gov.au/providers/working-provider/support-coordinators/support-coordinators-and-disability-advocacy

Support coordinators should help participants engage with community and other government services.

29/01/2026

Do you understand the role and existence of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission?

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission (also known as the NDIS Commission) is an independent Australian Government regulator.

What they do:
* Improve the quality and safety of NDIS supports and services. ​
* Make sure NDIS providers and workers are doing a good job and let you know when they are not.
* Regulate and register NDIS providers.
* Take complaints when NDIS providers or workers do the wrong thing.
* Respond to concerns, complaints and reportable incidents, including abuse and neglect of participants in NDIS supports and services.

They are not the NDIA!
The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is a separate government agency that manages:
* plans
* payments
* access to the NDIS
* allegations of fraud.
NDIA contact is Phone 1800 800 110, Email enquiries@ndis.gov.au

The Participant Information Pack is available on the website in a range of accessible formats and languages: bit.ly/3CRQyss

This Participant Pack is an introduction to the NDIS Commission and how we support the rights of NDIS participants. The pack is for people with disability as well as anyone who supports them or acts on their behalf, such as family members, guardians, support workers or advocates.

29/01/2026

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗦?

The NDIA recognises the system doesn’t always meet the needs of First Nations communities. They’re inviting First Nations families, carers, young people, and community representatives to share their experiences through paid opportunities to help improve how the NDIS supports children and young people.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱?
🟣 First Nations parents, carers, family members, and community representatives supporting children and young people up to 17 years old
🟣 Young people aged 18–25 who were NDIS participants before turning 18

𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗱!
As a member, you may be invited to provide input on multiple projects over time and can choose how and when to take part in yarns that suit you:
🟣 Group yarns: Share ideas and experiences together
🟣 One-on-one yarns: Private conversations to share stories
🟣 Working group yarns: Regular meetings to shape specific parts of the pathway
🟣 User testing: Trial draft tools and provide feedback

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿
Use the link below to view full details and register as a member of the Participant First Engagement Initiative:

https://myform.ndis.gov.au/?src=https://forms.ndis.gov.au/external/participantfirstinformationform&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PFEI+Newsletter+Jan+27+%23207&utm_content=Participant_First_information_form

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲!

25/01/2026

Cairns Disability Support Directory

The only directory dedicated to our region — and it’s a game-changer 💙

Whether you’re a participant, family member, carer, or provider, this is a must-have resource for finding local supports, services, and connections in one place.

Save it to your shortcut favourites!

Supporting our community, locally Cairns Disability Network

23/01/2026

NDIS Code of Conduct

The NDIS Code of Conduct requires people who deliver NDIS supports and services to:

* Act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decision-making in accordance with relevant laws and conventions.
* Respect the privacy of people with disability.
* Provide supports and services in a safe and competent manner with care and skill.
* Act with integrity, honesty, and transparency.
* Promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability.
* Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against, exploitation, neglect, and abuse of people with disability.
*Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
*Not charge or represent higher prices for the supply of goods for NDIS participants without a reasonable justification.

https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/rules-and-standards/ndis-code-conduct?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPfHN5jbGNrA98c02V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHgIRQQogmQLB1NNMmTgR7aBXp1h_m6hjhGVWmR9LHLWeTTOC25dSnhT26Boa_aem_JvhbnpmC4rI2vqy09IFDsg

All NDIS participants have the right to access safe and ethical supports and services. The NDIS Code of Conduct helps providers, key personnel and workers respect and uphold those rights by defining expected conduct, behaviour and culture. As a provider or worker you can access information about how...

21/01/2026

🟣 𝗜𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗗 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟?

Do you have a child who is neurodivergent or living with a disability and starting high school?

There are some wonderful free resources available to support both you and your child during this transition, and we’d love to share two with you:

🟣 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦' 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟
Neurodivergent mentors from the I CAN team have shared tips they wish they had known before Year 7. These insights are presented in a graphic novel to help students feel more confident before the big start.

Resource:https://icannetwork.education/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/ICAN-School-Guide_Final_v1.1_Digital.pdf

🟣 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪
This parental booklet offers practical guidance for supporting your child through the transition to high school. It includes tips on finding support, communicating with teachers and health professionals and supporting your child’s confidence and pride.

Resource:https://cyda.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Transitioning_to_High_School.pdf

🟣 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧:
We thank Remarkable OT for bringing these valuable resources to our attention and for their continued advocacy, expertise, and dedication to inclusive practice.

19/01/2026

Join FNQ Dementia Alliance on Tuesday 27 January for their Monthly Morning Tea Meeting and hear Sharonika Camplin chat about the Walking the Talk for Dementia program, which includes the Camino del Santiago pilgrimage and global conference in Spain.

We wish you a happy new year and look forward to connecting in 2026 🩷
Join us on January 27 for our first Monthly Meeting and Morning Tea, where Sharonika Camplin will share her inspiring story about accompanying her friend with dementia on the Walking the Talk for Dementia program, which includes the Camino del Santiago pilgrimage and global conference in Spain.
Looking forward to seeing you all ☺️
*Flyer design courtesy of Camille Scholz. Thank you!

09/01/2026

Come join our team as a NDIS Support Coordinator (Level 2 and Level 3)!

💜 Be empowered with a caseload specialised in areas you are passionate about.

💜 Work with professionals who are responsive and invested in your development.

💜 Work for a locally owned and run organisation, where your input is valued.

APPLY NOW by submitting your application directly through Seek.

If you would like to learn more about our organisation or the industry, to determine whether we are a good fit, please contact our Business Development Manager, Jackie McDonald, at bdm@empowerabilityfnq.com.au or 0455 773 536 for a confidential discussion.

Support and manage clients while shaping a caseload that matches your strengths and interests, and develop expertise in areas you’re passionate about.

09/01/2026

Come join our team as a Client Service Officer!

Roles within our Direct Support Service team don't come up often.
As a Client Service Officer, you will assist with new client intake and onboarding, the development and ongoing monitoring of Care Plans, Risk Assessments and Service Agreements, as well as the ongoing monitoring of compliance and client satisfaction.

💜 Join a team who uphold high ethical standards, where you take pride in your work.

💜 Work with professionals who are responsive and invested in your development.

💜 Work for a locally owned and run organisation, where your input is valued.

APPLY NOW by submitting your application directly through Seek.

If you would like to learn more about our organisation or the industry, to determine whether we are a good fit, please contact our Business Development Manager, Jackie McDonald, at bdm@empowerabilityfnq.com.au or 0455 773 536 for a confidential discussion.

Join us as a Client Service Officer! Guide our clients through intake, onboarding, and ongoing care, while growing your career in a supportive team.

29/12/2025

23/10/2025

Come Join the Team 🤩 as a Disability Support Worker or Youth Worker.

Grow your career with a trusted local employer—whether you’re building on your experience or starting fresh in our industry.

03/10/2025

Providers and practitioners supporting children on the NDIS have very specific responsibilities.

The Quality supports for children booklet - a joint project between the NDIS Commission and the NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme includes sample questions for families to ask their providers addressing topics like behaviour, privacy, and how to raise concerns.

Download the booklet at https://bit.ly/3YebgvL.
Easy Read version available.