Pinarc Disability Support 1800-746-272

01/05/2026

Our Physiotherapy team use a capacity building approach to support you and your child with strategies which you can integrate into your daily life and routines, along with direct hands-on therapy.

We can assist babies and young children develop early fine motor skills like reaching, grasping and manipulating objects, and with learning to sit, roll, crawl and walk.

For older children we can work with them on gross motor skills such as balance, jumping, hopping, climbing, throwing and catching. Our team can also help children with postural support and positioning giving them the freedom to explore their world and if required, we are able to assess and prescribe specialised equipment.

Visit our website to complete our easy self-referral form https://www.pinarc.org.au/services/overview-of-services/
or call us to discuss your child’s needs on 1800 746 272.



Image description: A teal coloured graphic tile with the heading Physiotherapy Available no waiting list in Melton.

30/04/2026

We're Hiring! Experienced Support Workers
Ready to make a real impact? Join a team that’s passionate, supportive, and driven to make a difference in people’s lives.
If meaningful work motivates you, this opportunity is made for you!
Apply now: https://www.pinarc.org.au/current-vacancies/

30/04/2026

We are happy to share that the consultation for the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan is now open. Please visit the Engage Victoria webpage, https://engage.vic.gov.au/disabilityplan.

The Victorian Government encourages everyone to share their ideas and feedback.

The next plans will set out priorities and actions to make Victoria a more inclusive, accessible, and fair place for all.

The government wants to hear about:
• what is working well and what could be improved
• priorities for the future
• ideas for the next plans.

The Victorian Government will also work with the disability community to respond to national disability reforms. This includes changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the delivery of foundational supports such as Thriving Kids.

The next four-year State Disability Plan and Victorian Autism Plan will be released in mid-2027. This timing ensures outcomes of national reform discussions will be captured and that there is time for informed consultation with the disability and Autistic community.

Consultation on the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan will happen at the same time. This way, the new autism plan will line up with the new State Disability Plan.

How to participate

There are different ways to participate in the consultation. You can choose one or more of these options to have your say.

• You can take part in an in-person or online forum
• Complete an online survey
• Share feedback and ideas on Engage Victoria
• Send us an email with a voice or video recording to disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au.
• Mail a picture, document or recording with your ideas to Office for Disability, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.

For more information, visit Engage Victoria website https://engage.vic.gov.au/disabilityplan.

27/04/2026

All parent/carers of people with disability are invited to attend one of these important information sessions about the new changes to the NDIS.

This information sessions will cover:
✅Support Needs Assessments - what they are, how they will work, how parent/carers can prepare, parent/carers rights

✅The role of the LAC and how they can help.

✅How the introduction of "Thriving Kids" will or won't affect families currently on the NDIS

✅Any other new changes to the NDIS since last June

Session times and locations -

Ballarat:
Tuesday 12th May, 7pm – 8.30pm
Pinarc, 1828 Sturt St, Alfredton

Bacchus Marsh:
Monday 25th May, 7pm – 8.30pm
Darley Neighbourhood House, 33-35 Jonathan Dr, Darley

Places are limited and registration is essential. Email rpaton@pinarc.org.au or call 0493 765 542.



Image description: graphic tile with purple heading Changes to the NDIS, an icon depicting a checklist, followed by information on the dates and location of the information sessions.

24/04/2026

ANZAC Day

Today we honour those who've served and sacrificed for us all.

We are proud to maintain a small piece of history at our Pinarc Golden Point campus, the William Dunstan Memorial Garden. This garden houses a small brick memorial dedicated to Corporal William Dunstan VC, which was restored by a group led by Garry Snowden. This group also created the memorial garden around it to honour both Corporal Dunstan and other former students of the Golden Point State School who served.

Further information about this memorial is available on our website https://www.pinarc.org.au/fact_sheets/ including how you can organise to visit the memorial.



Image descriptions: graphic tile with a photo of an information plaque on William Dunstan VC and the words Lest We Forget, ANZAC Day, 25 April.

24/04/2026

Melton families and carers of a child with disability or developmental delay are invited to join Pinarc Disability Support at a FREE family fun day event at Zebraland.

At Pinarc we recognise that it can be difficult for families impacted by disability to have the opportunity to engage and connect with others at community events. These Pinarc family events will provide an environment for children to have fun in a relaxed environment and play with other children with similar abilities or interests, whilst parents and carers can connect with others. Come along and catch up with our team of therapists who will be there for a chat and a play! Snacks will be provided! You do not need to be a Pinarc customer to attend this event.

Call our friendly admin team to register on 1800 746 272 or send them an email on admin@pinarc.org.au



Image description: A graphic tile with a teal background featuring a Zebraland logo and the heading Pinarc Melton Family Fun Day followed by a description of the event.

23/04/2026

Minister Butler’s NDIS announcements on 22 April mark the start of a significant period of change. While there is still uncertainty about what these reforms will mean in practice, our focus at Pinarc remains clear: we will work carefully through the details and continue supporting our teams, our customers and our community every step of the way.

Decisions made at a national level shape the services available, the opportunities created, and the confidence people can place in a system designed to support them. These announcements affect real people and real outcomes. Our commitment is to remain steady and responsive as the changes unfold, continuing to deliver high-quality, safe and sustainable supports for people with complex needs.

As a quality-accredited provider, we invest in our workforce and governance to ensure the supports we deliver are safe, meaningful and enable our customers to participate in everyday life.

We know this is an important moment for our community, with changes to be implemented over the coming months and over many years. We’ll keep working to clarify what the reforms mean for customers and teams, and we’ll communicate openly as we navigate what comes next.

Further information and fact sheets are available at:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/securing-the-ndis-for-future-generations?language=en

You can watch Minister Mark Butler’s full speech here: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/minister-butler-speech-at-the-national-press-club-22-april-2026?language=en

22/04/2026

Yesterday our Occupational Therapist led Cooking Group had a fantastic time whipping up some yummy Spaghetti Carbonara. The group had fun choosing the recipe, working through it together to prepare all the ingredients and then cooked it all up! This process enabled the group to work on their problem solving skills, communication skills and learning how to be safe within the kitchen space - all this and a delicious meal too, what a great outcome!



Image descriptions: three photos of customers preparing spaghetti carbonara

21/04/2026

Unpaid Parent/Carers are invited to join Pinarc for a free lunch and movie session on Sunday, 17 May!

You will be treated to a free main meal and drink at Town and Country Pizza and Pasta (Delacombe Town Centre) before heading next door to Showbiz Cinemas to see the sequel to the hit movie The Devil Wears Prada.

Meanwhile, the Pinarc team are available to provide respite care at our Golden Point campus, where children and adults with disability will enjoy a pizza making and movie session of their own.

Program Times:
11.30am respite care drop off at Golden Point (if required)
12noon lunch
1.30pm movie
4.00pm respite care pick up at Golden Point

For more information or to book your place at this event please call us on 1800 746 272 before 15 May. Note that there are limited tickets to the event and it may book out, so we recommend you call soon to reserve your spot!

To meet funding requirements all participants will need to provide name, date of birth, postcode and ATSI or CALD information for each person attending.

The Pinarc Parent Support Program and Support for Carers is supported by the Victoria State Government.

16/04/2026

During March our awesome Parent Support Program Coordinator Bec hosted a relaxing retreat in Anglesea. A wonderful group of Parent/Carers enjoyed the variety of fun activities and games, delicious food, and some precious time to connect with each another to support and share experiences.

Thank you to Bec for your fantastic organisation skills and endless patience, and thank you to all our amazing Parent/Carers for your enthusiasm and joy!



Image descriptions: A selection of photos of parent/carers enjoying a range of activities at the Pinarc Parent Carer Anglesea retreat.

16/04/2026

Our Plan Management team reduce the burden of the administrative tasks by taking care of them for you. They will ensure that your funding is efficiently managed by:
✅ Checking and processing invoices from your service providers
✅ Alerting you to any issues such as a service that is not covered by your plan
✅ Claiming for payment for services received through the NDIS portal
✅ Monitoring funding and providing you with monthly statements outlining your invoices paid and on your remaining balances
✅ Promptly paying your providers within 14 days.

To be eligible for Plan Management you need to have funding under category ‘CB Choice and Control’ included in your NDIS plan.

It is important to know that at Pinarc, we act in your best interests. This means that we provide you with as much information as we can and support you make your own choices.

You can contact the Plan Management team by calling 1800 746 272 and ask to speak to our Plan Management team or email fpm@pinarc.org.au and one of our team members will be in touch. Our knowledgeable team is available between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.



Image description: Graphic tile with a teal background, three photos of the team and the heading "Do you need help to keep on top of your NDIS plan administration and paying invoices?"

Enriching and empowering lives within the disability community.

15/04/2026

Every student's journey to high school looks different and some children benefit from a little more support to ease the transition.

In our Transition to High School group our experienced Occupational Therapists guide students through the process and help teach them the skills they need to navigate this new experience.

For further in formation please visit our website, which has links to an expression of interest form and an information flyer: https://www.pinarc.org.au/latest-news-and-updates/



Image description: graphic tile with green chalk board like background and the heading 'Transition to High School Group'.