National Disability Advocacy Program
About the National Disability Advocacy Program
We fund the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) to provide people with disability access to effective advocacy support. This support works to promote and protect the rights of people with disability by helping to remove barriers to their full and equal participation in the community.
NDAP is for people with disability who are facing complex challenges. The program provides support in situations where people with disability feel unable to act, speak or write about a difficult situation on their own, or do not have the support required to resolve an issue.
How a disability advocate can help
Read the disability advocacy for individuals fact sheet to learn more about how an advocate can assist people with disability.
An advocate can provide information, help an individual explore their options and work through issues, and make informed decisions. Through NDAP, an advocate can assist individuals to:
- understand and exercise their rights
- self-advocate, wherever possible
- identify and address situations of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation
- make a complaint
- understand and/or access the NDIS, Centrelink and other government services
- find and use community services, including legal services
- request extra support (such as reasonable adjustments) at school or work.
Services for specific needs and/or backgrounds
Some NDAP organisations provide support for specific needs and/or backgrounds, including people:
- with a specific type of disability (for example intellectual disability)
- seeking help for a specific issue (for example housing, education or employment)
- from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
- who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
NDIS appeals
We also fund the NDIS Appeals Program to provide advocacy support for individuals affected by reviewable decisions of the National Disability Insurance Agency. Learn more about the NDIS Appeals Program.
Disability Advocacy Support Helpline
The Disability Advocacy Support Helpline provides phone-based disability advocacy support wherever you live in Australia. Based on your individual needs, the Helpline may refer you to other supports in your local area.
To request disability advocacy support through the Helpline, contact the Disability Gateway(Opens in a new tab/window):
- Phone 1800 643 787 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
- Fill out the Contact Us Form.
Visit our resources page for information about the Helpline in accessible Easy Read, Auslan and languages other than English.
How to find an NDAP advocate
NDAP providers are available in every state and territory.
Visit Ask Izzy - Disability Advocacy Finder(Opens in a new tab/window) to find a Disability Advocate provider in your area.
Find an NDAP provider in your state and territory below.
For information about the services they provide, their service coverage area and contact details, please go directly to the provider.
Laws and policies
NDAP is guided by the objectives and principles of key legislation and agreements. Some of these are:
- The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability
- Australia's Disability Strategy 2021 - 2031(Opens in a new tab/window)
- The National Disability Advocacy Framework 2023 -2025
- The Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 (DSI).
NDAP providers are required to be certified under the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS). More information about the NSDS is also available on the Quality Assurance system for NDAP.
Read the Operational Guidelines for information about the activities that contribute to the NDAP.
Contact
Email disabilityadvocacy@dss.gov.au for more information.
Or write to us:
Department of Social Services
Disability and Carer Programs Group
Individual Disability Advocacy
GPO Box 9820
Canberra ACT 2601