Foundational Supports

Governments are working together to design and deliver additional supports in the community. These additional supports are called Foundational Supports.

These are specific supports that would be available outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to help people with disability, and their families and carers.

The NDIS has transformed the lives of many people with disability, and it is here to stay. The NDIS provides supports to eligible people with disability.

Many people with disability are not on the NDIS. Some of these people, who are not on the NDIS, may need more help than what is offered through mainstream or community services, like early childhood education, schools and community mental health.

This is where additional Foundational Supports can assist.

There are different types of Foundational Supports, you can find further information on our Helpful resources page. Consultations focus on:

• general supports such as information and guidance, peer supports, and capacity building
• supports for children under 9 with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin.

Consultations

We want supports that work and meet the needs of people with disability. To do this, we need your help.

Commonwealth and state and territory governments are working on this together. Importantly, people with disability and mental health concerns will be at the centre of this work. So will their families and carers, and the wider community.

Who we want to hear from:

• people with disability, whether they are on the NDIS or not
• people who might need extra support but don’t identify as having a disability
• families, carers, kin and advocates for people with disability
• parents of children with developmental delay and disability
• other stakeholders, like service providers. This includes across disability, health, mental health, early childhood, schools and other areas.

Governments will use the feedback we receive from the community to make decisions about how Foundational Supports could work.

The Department and The Social Deck recently hosted a Webinar. We heard valuable insights from the Hon. Amanda Rishworth MP, Jane Britt and Dr George Taleporos and covered a range of important topics, including an overview of Foundational Supports and outlining how you can get involved in upcoming consultations.

Transcript [Word 37 kB]

Ways to engage

Attend an event

To view all upcoming consultations on Foundational Supports, visit the Attend an event page.

Consultations are nation-wide and will involve in person and online events.

Questionnaires

You can have your say is by completing our guided questionnaires. You can find the questionnaire by visiting:

• General supports: Questionnaire
• Foundational Supports for children with developmental delay or disability: Questionnaire
• Have your say

Online ideas wall

You can contribute to the Foundational Supports Ideas Wall. This is a platform where people can share their ideas about various aspects of Foundational Supports. Your ideas will help to inform the design of Foundational Supports. You are encouraged to post using your first name or a nick name and avoid using identifying or personal information.

Via email

You can also email your feedback about Foundational Supports, or request help to make a submission, to foundationalsupports@thesocialdeck.com.

Privacy

Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). For more information see our Privacy Policy.