Beyond Ability Support Services

09/02/2026

Help is available. And you do not have to face things alone. 💚

Mental health matters just as much as physical health. Some days we feel strong, other days we feel overwhelmed, anxious, low, or unsure how to keep going. That is part of being human. What matters most is knowing that support is always within reach.

If you or someone you care about is struggling right now, please remember there are compassionate professionals available 24/7 who are ready to listen, support, and guide you through whatever you are facing. From anxiety and depression to relationship challenges, family stress, or crisis moments, help is always there.

This is your reminder to pause, breathe, and reach out when you need to. Save this post, share it with someone who may need it, and keep these trusted helplines close. Reaching out is not a weakness. It is a powerful step towards care, connection, and healing.

Together, we can break the stigma around mental health and build a community where everyone feels supported, understood, and valued. You matter. Your mental health matters. 💬

11/12/2025

Have you marked your diary for our first 2026 Disabled Surfing at Jetty Beach, Coffs Harbour on Saturday January 3?

Thanks to every participant, carer and volunteer who has participated in the first two Disabled Surfing events held in Coffs Harbour and Woolgoolga Beach.

We can't wait to welcome you to our next event on January 3.

27/10/2025

Hi everyone, I hope you all enjoyed yesterdays start to the season. It was great to see so many familiar faces as well as a few new ones who will hopefully become part of the familiar crowd.

To the people who couldn't make it at the last minute, I hope everything is okay and we'll see you next time.

Speaking of which...here is the link to register for the next event being held at Woolgoolga Beach on November 29th. Looking forward to seeing you there 🙂

https://events.humanitix.com/hands-on-surf-day-woolgoolga-29th-november-2025

18/07/2025

⛺️We are now accepting donations for Pete’s Place in the lead-up to Homelessness Week 2025. In particular we are hoping for Small Dome Tents and Single Burner Stoves.
Health Voyage

18/06/2025

Kids Helpline's largest anti-bullying lesson is back and we need your help to make this bigger and better than ever!

We're live-streaming into schools across Australia with real tips on how to handle bullying and get support.

It's FREE! Your school just needs to sign up.

So share this with your favourite teacher and find out more here: https://kidshelpline.info/4dVKa3T

18/06/2025

We’ve published the updated NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, following the release of the 2024-25 Annual Pricing Review recommendations.

It is designed to support participants and disability support providers to better understand how pricing decisions are made.

We’ve made further updates in addition to the Annual Pricing Review recommendations. These include:

✅ Changing the early childhood age limit from 7 to 9 years old.

✅ New text added to explain provider responsibilities and a provider’s duty to declare and manage any conflict of interest.

The updates will come into effect on 1 July 2025.

Learn more at 💻 https://ow.ly/RQgF50W9PYk

18/06/2025

Data sharing is critical to the success of the NDIS.

Public data sharing and open data allows people with disabilities, and their families and carers to benefit more from the Scheme.

You can explore our public data at: https://ow.ly/sttP50W8NwR

18/06/2025

June 17, 2025

Physical Disability Australia - PDA has signed on to a detailed joint position statement offering recommendations to guide the Australian Government’s transition to a new human right-based needs assessment model

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Review recommended shifting the basis for setting a budget from individual support items to a “whole of person” level, supported by new needs assessment processes. This year, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is working to design and test a new way of gathering information about the support people with disability need and to set their NDIS budgets.

Disability Representative Organisations have worked together to develop a detailed joint position statement offering recommendations to guide the Australian Government’s transition to a new human right-based needs assessment model.

This position statement includes:

Our recommendations are grounded in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), recent analysis from the Independent Review of the NDIS (2023), and other relevant evidence. We strongly urge the Department of Social Services (DSS), the NDIA, and implementation partners to embed human rights, co-design, and trusted relationships at the centre of this reform.

We acknowledged the leadership of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) in the development of this position statement, and it is based on the principles outlined in WWDA’s position statement.

* Key principles for a human rights-based model of needs assessment;
* Overarching principles for design and implementation;
* Considerations for a three-part needs assessment process; and
* Recommendations for implementation.

The following organisations have contributed to and/or expressed their support for this joint position statement:

* Australian Autism Alliance
* AFDO - Australian Federation Of Disability Organisations
* Children and Young People with Disability Australia - CYDA
* Community Mental Health Australia
* Disability Advocacy Network Australia - DANA
* Down Syndrome Australia
* First Peoples Disability Network Australia
* Inclusion Australia
* National Ethnic Disability Alliance
* National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
* People with Disability Australia
* Physical Disability Australia
* Women With Disabilities Australia

To read the Position Statement in its entirety, go to:
https://www.pda.org.au/2025/06/18/pda-signs-on-to-detailed-joint-position-statement-offering-recommendations-to-guide-the-australian-governments-transition-to-a-new-human-right-based-needs-assessment-model/

18/06/2025

We’re gradually introducing shorter funding periods in participants' plans to help participants more easily manage their budgets.

If you’re starting a new NDIS plan or going through a reassessment, you will now have a discussion about funding periods in your plan.

The length of funding period will be based on participant’s individual circumstances and will usually be a three-month funding period.

You might be asking, but what if my needs suddenly change?

It may be a change in what you can or can’t do because of your disability, a change in your informal supports, or your life has changed in a significant way.

You can request a plan reassessment at any time.

Let us know as soon as possible if your circumstances change. You will need to provide to provide evidence and information about what has changed.

While all NDIS plans are built to last the length of the plan, we know support needs can fluctuate.

It’s also important to know any unspent funds in one period are rolled over to the next as funding periods do not change the total value of a plan.

You can learn more about the changes at 💻 https://ow.ly/RIaK50WasbZ

18/06/2025

💙 What is Carer Gateway and how does it support carers?💙
📣 Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative offering tailored supports and services to help carers manage the challenges that may be experienced due to their caring role.

Join our FREE Online Workshop:
When: Tuesday 24 June 2025
Time: 1030am -11.30am
Where: Online Zoom Meeting
Cost: FREE
🔗 Click here to register: https://ow.ly/48ZG50VVkTc

18/06/2025

We have introduced a new number for providers, plan managers and support coordinators to call us so we can answer enquiries more efficiently.

📞 The new number is 1300 311 675.

Participants, families and carers can still contact us on 1800 800 110.

For more information about how to contact us, visit 💻 https://ow.ly/AOOH50W33Ce

18/06/2025