- abilityNEWS
- Posts
- The role of the navigator
The role of the navigator
What's happened to the big reccomendation of the NDIS Review?
Nic Stuart
April 08, 2025
The abilityNEWS Daily
The Big Story
Navigators - courtesy Endeavour Foundation
The election campaign is occupying the media’s focus this morning, so we had a choice. Leave this blank, or provide an update on how the shift from Local Area Coordinators to Navigators is going.
This was one of the biggest recommendations to come from the 2023 NDIS Review. The fact this was delivered in early December that year and that there haven’t been any sweeping changes yet doesn’t mean the idea has been forgotten.
It was always planned to bring in the changes slowly, over a five-year period, and so the implementation schedule is actually running according to schedule.
The idea behind navigators is that they will help participants “find and use [NDIS] foundational supports and connect you to services you need”.
Today’s big story goes into the problem that the navigators are intended to fix, what the plan is, and how the plan is going. There’s also an update in the Wrap below from Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) about that organisation’s take on the current situation.
The Briefing
Minister Jihad Dib and others at the opening of Roselands Cerebral Palsy Centre
New world-class disability therapy centre opens in Roselands
By Cerebral Palsy Alliance
A $5.7 million therapy centre has opened in Roselands to support people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities. Funded partly by a $2.9 million NSW Government grant, it replaces an outdated site in Penshurst.
The continuing irrelevance of minimum wages to future inflation
By The Australia Institute
An analysis from the Centre for Future Work finds no consistent link between minimum wage rises and inflation since 1990. It argues wage increases of up to 9.2% would restore real earnings without driving broader price rises.
Principles to be used as 'navigators' replace LAC's
By Disability Advocacy Network Australia
DANA and NDS have released a report outlining 11 core principles for the new NDIS Navigator roles recommended in a 2023 Review. Navigators will replace Local Area Coordinators and supports by providing independent, community-connected guidance across disability and mainstream services.
The Wrap
NOTE: NOW OUTDATED Labor data says NDIS, aged care, veterans and pensioners will be affected by Dutton's public service cuts
By NT News
Labor data indicates that Opposition Leader Peter Dutton's proposed public service cuts could adversely affect services including the NDIS, aged care, veterans' affairs, and pensioners. There are concerns that such cuts could impact the delivery of essential services to vulnerable populations.
The Diary
Upcoming Events - This Week
Wheelchair Basketball Hobart 2025
This is an inclusive sporting event organised by the ParaQuad Association, offering individuals of all abilities the opportunity to participate in wheelchair basketball. Participate in this free and recurring event every Wednesday - it offers a great way to keep fit, develop new skills and meet new friends.
Date: 9 April 2025 (Recurring event)
Location: Claremont College, 61 Claremont Link Road, Claremont (TAS)
Time: 6:30 PM to 8 PM
Disability Support Pension (DSP) Information Session
If you are interested in learning more about Disability Support Pension (DSP), attend this information session organised by Advocay WA, which covers everything you need to know about DSP - from eligibility criteria to the application process.
Date: 9 April 2025
Location: Bridgetown Library, 75 Steere St Bridgetown (WA) + also happening in Manjimup (WA)
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Able Meet - LOGAN
Meet fellow members of the NDIS community and local providers at Able Meet events organised by Able Plus. This is a speed networking event where all attendees get to meet providers for 5 minutes to learn about their services and discuss if they work for you.
Date: 10 April 2025
Location: Fitzys Loganholme, Pacific Highway Loganholme (QLD)
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Resilient Voices: Storytelling for Justice - Inclusive Workshop
Resilient Voices: Storytelling for Justice is a trauma-informed creative workshop designed to empower people with disability and diverse lived experiences to share their stories with confidence, care, and impact. Whether for media, advocacy, creative expression, or personal resilience, authentic voices are vital. Through exploring the purpose and power of personal storytelling, participants will learn to craft narratives that honor their truth, foster connection, and inspire change.
Date: 11 April 2025
Location: Belconnen Community Centre, 23 Swanson Court Belconnen (ACT)
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
