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Unsafe support and approved support that never began. Two terrible cases that expose the reality that existing systems still don’t provide safety.

Yesterday’s Federal Court proceedings were launched by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. It’s taking action against provider Amicus Community Services and former support worker Georgina Knox after the 2021 death of Joanne Keogh.

The Commission alleges Amicus failed to ensure Knox was qualified and trained, and that Knox failed to respond to an alarm or complete hourly checks after Ms Keogh had a seizure. The allegations have not been tested in court.

In another tragic case a South Australian inquest has heard that Nancy White died in 2022 after a $75,000-a-year NDIS plan was approved but never used. The inquest is examining safeguards for those who’ve receive funding but can’t turn it into support.

In both cases the systems were in place. In one they appear to have been simply bypassed with impunity; in the other, perfectly completed paperwork simply failed to produce any outcome. Seemingly missing, in both cases, were people who would take action.

Bottom line: regulation and an approved plan are both paper protections. Safety depends on competent workers, active follow-up and support that reaches the person.

Data Watch: Ms White’s $75,000 annual plan was approved in November 2021 and remained unused.

Pay rise timetable — Home care employees who perform disability care are due an initial pay increase of up to 15 per cent from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2026. The Fair Work Ombudsman says wider classification and minimum-rate changes under the SCHADS Award generally begin on 1 October 2027.

Source: Fair Work Ombudsman

All-abilities paths — Tasmania’s $1.65 million upgrade at Tasmans Arch and Devils Kitchen is nearing completion. The work includes improved tracks and viewing areas, with all-abilities access expected to open before the summer visitor season.

Source: Tasmanian Government

Support barriers — An AIHW survey found 79 per cent of dementia carers received help from family and friends, but only about one-third had access to training, financial or psychological support, or respite. Complicated applications, long waits and limited local services were common barriers.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Diagnosis delays — Of people surveyed by AIHW, 61 per cent received a dementia diagnosis within three years of first noticing symptoms. newsGP reports delayed testing and specialist appointments were the most common barrier, followed by GPs attributing symptoms to other causes.

Source: newsGP

Emergency planning — Muscular Dystrophy News columnist Patrick Moeschen argues the September 11 attacks pushed disability evacuation planning from an afterthought into a US civil rights and public safety issue. He points to evacuation chairs, staff training and personal plans as gains, but says reform came only after wheelchair users were left dependent on others to escape.

Source: Muscular Dystrophy News

Regional leadership — Australia is supporting the International Disability Alliance and ASEAN Disability Forum to strengthen organisations of persons with disabilities across eight Southeast Asian countries. Grants, technical support and peer learning are intended to connect local priorities with national reform, reaching at least 194 organisations and networks.

Source: International Disability Alliance

World champions — The Australian Rollers defeated Italy 81–57 in Ottawa to win the men’s wheelchair basketball world championship. Australia completed an unbeaten tournament and claimed its third world title; 21-year-old Jaylen Brown scored 28 points in the final and was named tournament MVP.

Source: Paralympics Australia

Arts milestone — Accessible Arts will mark 40 years of disability arts advocacy with free, accessible events at the Art Gallery of NSW on 14 October. The program includes a rights-and-creativity panel, disability justice zine workshops and comedian-led gallery tours, with Auslan interpretation and captioning.

Source: Aussie Theatre

NDIS funding access in spotlight at inquest into death of 'emaciated' woman Nancy White

A South Australian inquest is examining how Nancy White’s approved $75,000-a-year NDIS plan went unused before her death in 2022. Counsel assisting said the hearing would consider safeguards for people granted support and their carers; an NDIA representative is expected to give evidence about process changes.

Source: ABC News
Paywall: No

NDIS bans: Fraudster among those purged from scheme

The outlet reviewed NDIS Commission compliance records and reported more than 4,000 listed actions since 2019, including 831 banning orders. It highlighted recent permanent bans over alleged false claims, overcharging and other misconduct, while noting some registration revocations followed administrative lapses. No new criminal charges were reported in the cases profiled.

Source: The Daily Telegraph
Paywall: Yes — summary based on the visible public preview

Trip home delayed

A Far North Queensland mother has postponed returning from Bali with her adult daughter during a dispute about disability support and accommodation. The Office of the Public Guardian says Australian supports are available; the mother disputes their adequacy and safety. The NDIS Commission is considering a complaint about a former support coordinator, with no finding of wrongdoing reported.

Source: Cairns Local News
Paywall: No