Pinarc Disability Support 1800-746-272

28/02/2026

Rare Disease Day raises awareness for the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease, along with their families and carers.

The long-term goal of the Rare Disease Day campaign is to ensure equitable access to diagnosis, treatment, healthcare, social support, and opportunities for those affected by rare diseases.

For more information please visit https://www.rarediseaseday.org/

27/02/2026

We have expanded our OT team at Pinarc Ballarat and have immediate availability for Occupational Therapy services in Ballarat for children aged 0 to 9.

Call us or visit our website to complete a quick referral form https://www.pinarc.org.au/services/overview-of-services/

Capacity will fill fast!



Image description: A graphic tile with a teal coloured background featuring three photos of Pinarc therapists and customers. The headline reads Occupational Therapy No Wait List in Ballarat.

23/02/2026

We still have a few tickets left for this event! Call us during business hours to register for tickets.

Carers and their families are invited to join us for a special screening of “The Magic Faraway Tree” on Sunday 29 March 2026 at 1.15pm.

In this movie three children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents. At the top of the tree, they're transported to spectacular and fantastical lands.

Registration is essential, places are limited and we advise to book early so you don’t miss out. Showbiz cinemas is a wheelchair accessible venue, but spaces are limited. Please inform us if you need a wheelchair space when you register.

Call 1800 746 272 during business hours to reserve your tickets. Registrations close 12pm Friday 27th March or earlier if booked out. Please note: Due to funding requirements, you will need to provide name, date of birth, postcode and ATSI or CALD information for each person attending.

Support for Carers is a program presented by Pinarc, funded by Victoria State Government, to assist unpaid carers of children and adults with disabilities to have a well-earned break.



Image description: graphic tile with photo from The Magic Faraway Tree movie set on a teal background. Heading Support for Carers Family Movie.

18/02/2026

This looks amazing! If you are interested in attending this Australian first mainstage dance work directed by an artist living with Down syndrome head to https://hermaj.com/events/lighting-the-dark-2026 to book your tickets.

09/02/2026

Carers and their families are invited to join us for a special screening of “The Magic Faraway Tree” on Sunday 29 March 2026 at 1.15pm.

In this movie three children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents. At the top of the tree, they're transported to spectacular and fantastical lands.

Registration is essential, places are limited and we advise to book early so you don’t miss out. Showbiz cinemas is a wheelchair accessible venue, but spaces are limited. Please inform us if you need a wheelchair space when you register.

Call 1800 746 272 during business hours to reserve your tickets. Registrations close 12pm Friday 27th March or earlier if booked out. Please note: Due to funding requirements, you will need to provide name, date of birth, postcode and ATSI or CALD information for each person attending.

Support for Carers is a program presented by Pinarc, funded by Victoria State Government, to assist unpaid carers of children and adults with disabilities to have a well-earned break.



Image description: graphic tile with photo from The Magic Faraway Tree movie set on a teal background. Heading Support for Carers Family Movie.

05/02/2026

The City of Ballarat is seeking feedback to help create their next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (2026-2030).

They are inviting people to register for interactive engagement sessions that will focus on:
💡 Ideas for improvements in Ballarat
❗ Barriers for people living with disability in Ballarat
✅ What is working well

Sessions for People living with Disability & Carers:
Option 1:
o When: Tuesday 24 February 2026 at 12:00pm – 2:00pm
o Where: Selkirk Stadium, 989 Norman St, Wendouree VIC 3355
o Register: https://events.humanitix.com/community-consultation-sessions-or-city-of-ballarat-s-next-disability-access-and-inclusion-plan-2026-30

Option 2:
o When: Thursday 19 March 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
o Where: Trench Room, Ballarat Town Hall, 225 Sturt Street Ballarat 3350
o Register: https://events.humanitix.com/community-feedback-session-2-or-city-of-ballarat-s-next-disability-access-and-inclusion-plan-2026-30

Option 3:
o When: Thursday 12 March 2026 at 6:00pm – 7:30pm
o Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
o Register: https://events.humanitix.com/online-only-engagement-session-for-people-living-with-disability-and-carers-option-2-or-city-of-ballarat-s-next-disability-access-and-inclusion-plan-2026-30

For further information contact Meg Lawton, City of Ballarat, Community Inclusion Officer (Access and Inclusion) at meglawton@ballarat.vic.gov.au

04/02/2026

Ballarat Carer Connect is a group for parents and carers of children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs who want to be more active, socially connected, and informed.

We aim to try a range of activities that will get us out and about. Activities may include walks, frisbee golf, bowling, visiting galleries, coffee catch ups etc.

Our next session is on Wednesday, 11 February at 10am. We will meet at Oz Tenpin for a couple of friendly games of pool and darts - a great way to relax and meet some new friends!

All parents of children (and adults) with disabilities are welcome. You do not have to be using any other Pinarc services. Let’s support each other to be more socially connected and physically active. You can come to single session or every session.

To register please email or call Rebecca on rpaton@pinarc.org.au or 0493 765 542.

Image description: A graphic tile with a teal background and a photo of two parent-carers playing a game of pool.

03/02/2026

Join us for an inclusive, free and fun playgroup experience in Melton, run by Pinarc's experienced therapists. Playgroup will run each term for six sessions on select Thursdays between 10am - 11.30am. More information can be found on our website.

To register please use this link:
https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2F66uW0JnLn1&data=05%7C02%7Cstatham%40pinarc.org.au%7C9b70fe66df9148c721d708de589e1eeb%7Ca273896ad8614c828930069ed9b654c0%7C0%7C0%7C639045633320939484%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4eZ6Pu0Nr7zHS%2BQ6zpJ3iXNPJKh7S4lRQQZ%2By94jgbA%3D&reserved=0

This initiative is supported by the Victoria Government's Support for Carers program.

Image description: A pale teal graphic tile with the heading PLAYGROUP followed by information on the Melton Pinarc Playgroup.

02/02/2026

Have your say about the new NDIS framework planning rules!

New framework plans are designed to make NDIS planning clearer and more transparent. New framework plans will start from mid-2026 for some participants who are over the age of 16. It will be a phased introduction so many participants will not experience any change for some time. Participants will be told before anything changes for them, and support will be provided by the NDIA.

The NDIS are still developing the rules explaining how new framework planning will work in practice. They want to hear from NDIS participants and the disability community to get the rules right.
https://consultations.health.gov.au/ndis/nfp-public-consultation/

We’re making National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) planning fairer, more transparent, sustainable and person-centred.

Right now, we’re working to develop rules for how new framework planning will work. This will set out the process for creating NDIS plans.

We want to hear from NDIS participants and the disability community to make sure we get the rules right.

🗓️ Consultation closes 11:59 pm AEDT, 6 March 2026.

For more information, see the comments below. 👇

02/02/2026

We're Hiring! Ready to make a real impact in people’s lives? Join a passionate, supportive, and enthusiastic team that’s committed to making a difference every day.
Whether you’re currently studying, experienced, newly qualified or bringing valuable lived experience this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Apply now: https://www.pinarc.org.au/current-vacancies/

02/02/2026

Today we welcomed 58 of our Kindergarten Additional Assistants (KAA) to an orientation and professional development day. They joined us from across the region, from as afar as Ararat, Bannockburn and Bacchus Marsh, and everywhere in between. Our CEO, Peter Newsome, was on hand to greet everyone and to extend a warm welcome to both new and returning team members.

In the opening session Kindergarten Inclusion Support Coordinators, Charis and Carina, gave a comprehensive orientation to their roles and how Pinarc supports each of them.

The day also incorporated professional development sessions with Pinarc Occupational Therapist Laura, Pinarc Speech Pathologist Kiah and Psychologist Mel Stewart from Moving Mountains, who covered an array of topics and skills that will help them in their KAA role. There was also a lot of fun, laughter and appreciation for the delicious lunch served by !

Our KAA's provide an integral service in kindergartens across the region, helping to ensure that kindergarten is a welcoming and supported experience for all young people.




Image descriptions: A series of photos of Pinarc staff attending the KAA orientation and professional development day.

28/01/2026

Join us for an inclusive, free and fun playgroup experience in Melton, run by Pinarc's experienced therapists. Playgroup will run each term for six sessions on select Thursdays between 10am - 11.30am. More information can be found on our website.

To register please use this link https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2F66uW0JnLn1&data=05%7C02%7Cstatham%40pinarc.org.au%7C9b70fe66df9148c721d708de589e1eeb%7Ca273896ad8614c828930069ed9b654c0%7C0%7C0%7C639045633320939484%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4eZ6Pu0Nr7zHS%2BQ6zpJ3iXNPJKh7S4lRQQZ%2By94jgbA%3D&reserved=0

This initiative is supported by the Victoria Government's Support for Carers program.