The abilityNEWS Daily
The Big Story
Australia’s ‘Geography of Care’ [Map courtesy HomeCaring]
Care Concentrated, Communities Missed
NDIS Service Provider HomeCaring has compiled an interactive map that highlights the unequal distribution of aged care and disability services across Australia. It calls these empty spaces "care deserts". The new data tool is free to access.
The promise of the NDIS was universal care. The reality depends on your postcode.
A new national map from accredited NDIS Service Provider (and franchise operator) HomeCaring reveals the actuality of this “Geography of Care”. It counts NDIS, aged-care, and home-care providers in every LGA, transposing this with population.
The picture: dense coverage in inner cities but thin markets on the fringe and regions. That’s where queues form, trips lengthen, and support slips.
Homecaring built the tool using Department of Social Services provider counts (released under FOI and matched to ABS population data) and matching these with “care deserts” — LGAs with high demand but low provider density.
The list includes familiar growth corridors and some surprises. Kwinana (WA), Wanneroo (WA) and Palmerston (NT) sit at the bottom for aged-care coverage. Adelaide appears among the worst-served metropolitan areas. On the disability side, Byron, Ballina and Lismore (NSW) are flagged as NDIS deserts, along with fast-growing Blacktown (NSW) and Melton (VIC).
HomeCaring’s Head of Customer Mitch McBeath says the “data gives a clear national picture of where action is needed most”. He’s calling for government to use the map as a guide to steer investment, commissioning and workforce. “People in care deserts are waiting longer, travelling further and facing concerning delays for services.”
If ministers want shorter waits and steadier outcomes, the actions are straightforward: publish LGA targets for Support at Home and NDIS market stewardship, tied to provider density and wait-time metrics.
If the NDIS really is a demand-driven system, the map provides a clear guide for new business operators.
NDIS reforms are supposed to rebuild trust by improving outcomes. Canberra already has an official “Care Sector Demand Map”, and the NDIA’s published “thin market” evaluations. This new LGA-level lens adds granularity. It’s a simple proposition: target where the map is red (or blue!), not just where the politics is loudest.
The Briefing
Thriving Kids [courtesy ESSA]
Go Slow on Thriving Kids say Sport Scientists
by Exercise & Sports Science Australia
Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) cautions transition of children out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) must be handled with care to avoid compromising support for vulnerable children. It welcomes the decision to refer the Thriving Kids program to a parliamentary inquiry.
Making your personal information and NDIS account safer
by NDIS
The NDIS is changing the way it checks participants' identity. New pop-up messages will ask to update personal details or link to other government services using myGov. The messages will tell you what to do, but you can call the Contact Centre on 1800 800 110 if you are concerned.
Exploring a New Partnership with Royal Rehab Group
by Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is in talks to merge with Royal Rehab Group, a longstanding provider of rehabilitation and disability services. The proposed partnership aims to strengthen service reach, enhance support systems and amplify advocacy for people with disability.
Centacare transitions NDIS Services
by Neta Care
Centacare has recently announced that it will cease delivering NDIS services on or before mid-November 2025. As part of this process, clients, families, and support coordinators will now face the important decision of selecting a new provider who can meet their ongoing needs and provide stability during this time of change.
NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards Nominations
by Spinal Cord Injuries Australia
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia’s Advocacy Advisory Group has been nominated for Volunteer Team of the Year in the 2025 NSW awards. The group plays a central role in shaping advocacy efforts through lived experience and community-led networks across New South Wales.
Andrew Anderson appointed to NDS Board
by National Disability Services
NDS has appointed Andrew Anderson to its Board. Departing Director Philip Petrie is thanked for his leadership and contribution. And in a sign of renewal, all the States and Territories now have new representative leadership teams.
COO Leith Sterling moves on after significant achievements
by Afford
Leith Sterling will depart her role as Chief Operations Officer at Afford after over three years of service and reform. She led key improvements in quality, safeguarding and inclusion, shaping major organisational changes across service delivery and client engagement.
Leith Sterling [courtesy Afford]
The Wrap
South Australian families ‘scared’ of federal plan to remove some autistic children from NDIS
by Adelaide Advertiser
More than 4200 South Australian children are stuck in autism testing limbo as the federal government plans to slash support through NDIS changes. While welcoming genuine opportunity for reform, Autism SA told The Advertiser they have “serious concerns about the details”, including a likely $4bn cut in support funding to $2bn under Thriving Kids.
Former NDIS boss Candice Dover accused of deceptive payment claims in Sunshine Coast
by Courier Mail
Candice Dixie Tenant Dover, is the former director of Candice Care which rebranded to Summa Care. She has been accused of over-claiming funds from the NDIS in her capacity as the director of a company, which provided care services on the Sunshine Coast.
NDIS work in Newcastle: Heart and hustle
by Newscastle Weekly
The Health Services Union (HSU), whose members work in the health and community sector, recently investigated why a large number of workers were leaving the industry. And, the report was alarming. The survey found that 71% of participants felt that staff shortages were impacting their ability to provide quality care, while 74% said they did not feel their pay reflected their skills, responsibility or emotional labour.
How Can NDIS Help People With Complex Support Needs Live Better?
by Lifehack
Complex support needs is not a tidy label. It is the phrase used when someone’s disability is woven together with other barriers, mental health, addiction, contact with the justice system, unstable housing, sometimes all of these together. A person might live with schizophrenia and also have no secure home. Another person might be living with intellectual disability but also face cycles of detention and release. These are the people who are often passed from service to service, told a different thing each time, and rarely given support that matches the whole picture of their life. That is what makes the term complex support needs accurate; it's not about one diagnosis, it’s about layers.
The Diary
