Reform of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program

This Budget provides a total of $364.5 million over 5 years from 2024–25 to reform the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program. A further $150 million has been committed annually from 2029–30 to provide the supports on an ongoing basis.

What has been announced

• A reformed program that will improve consistency, quality and national coverage of community projects to support people with disability, their carers and families.
• The program will fund 5 categories of support.

Individual Capacity Building

Empowering individuals with disability by helping them build knowledge and skills to understand their disability, advocate for themselves, build connections and increase social and economic participation.

Family Capacity Building

Build knowledge and skills of families and carers to increase their ability to support their loved ones with disability and advocate for them.

Community Capacity Building

Build the capability of community organisations to adapt their services so they are disability-inclusive and accessible.

Information and Advice

Provide access to high quality, trusted information and advice on disability, rights, evidence-based supports, and available services.

Emerging Practice; Independent Evaluation

Improve coordination and provider capability and build the evidence base.

The reformed program will:

• deliver the building blocks for General Foundational Supports, as envisaged by the Independent Review of the NDIS
• complement the additional Foundational Supports to be co-funded with states and territories.

The current ILC Program funds projects that create connections between people with disability and their communities, build knowledge and increase inclusion.

During 2024, the Australian Government announced $221.35 million in funding for community organisations through the ILC Program.

• $49.74 million social and community participation projects
• $90 million individual capacity building projects
• $61.4 million funding extensions for certain existing projects
• $10 million Disability Dialogue
• $4.21 million Early Childhood Initiatives
• $6 million Autism best practice assessment and support

Reform of the ILC Program aligns with the Outcome Areas of Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021–2031.

For more information

Visit the Department of Social Services(Opens external website) website (dss.gov.au(Opens external website)) to find out more about this measure and other Department of Social Services’ Budget measures.

Visit the Australian Government Budget(Opens external website) website ( budget.gov.au(Opens external website)) to find out more about the
2025–26 Budget.