We are reforming the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Program as part of a broader plan to improve disability supports in Australia.
As part of the next phase of these reforms, the new Disability Peer Support and Connections Program will commence in 2026.
The Australian Government is investing $364.5 million over five years to reform the ILC Program. This was announced as part of the Australian Government’s 2025–26 Budget.
A further $150 million has been committed annually from 2029–30 to provide the supports on an ongoing basis.
Successful activities under the new Disability Peer Support and Connections Program will commence from July 2027 and gradually replace the ILC Program as currently funded grants expire.
For information on supports available under the current ILC Program, see funding under the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Program.
Why it is changing
The reform of the ILC Program has been informed by previous reviews of the program, the Independent Review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and other disability reform consultations.
When it is changing
The reform of the ILC Program will occur in a phased approach.
Closed non-competitive grant opportunities in 2025-26
The first phase of the ILC Reform commenced in mid-2025 following the release of a closed, non-competitive grant opportunity in July 2025. Grants commenced from 10 December 2025.
39 organisations were invited to participate in the Individual and Family Capacity Building 2025-26 grant opportunity, and 27 organisations were invited to participate in the Information, Advice and Referral 2025-26 grant opportunity.
All organisations invited to participate are delivering activities currently funded under the ILC Program and have a demonstrated ability to deliver services aligned to funding priorities.
The funding priorities for the closed, non-competitive grant opportunities were identified based on critical unmet needs within existing services and have been determined in consultation with state and territory government officials.
View the list of successful organisations:
Disability Peer Support and Connections Program
In April 2026, the Australian Government announced the new Disability Peer Support and Connections Program which will provide grants to eligible organisations to support people with disability in Australia, irrespective of their eligibility for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
This new program represents the next phase for disability supports, following recent reforms to the ILC Program. The ILC Program will end when all currently funded grants cease.
Through this new program, organisations will be funded to deliver activities that strengthen networks, empower people with disability, and foster meaningful connections across diverse communities.
Applications for an open competitive grant funding opportunity for the new program opened in April 2026. New activities are expected to commence in July 2027.
Full details, including eligibility and application guidelines, are available on GrantConnect.
What is changing
The new Disability Peer Support and Connections Program will improve consistency, quality and national coverage of community projects to support people with disability, their carers and families through four primary categories of support and an enabling function.
The new program will introduce new stream of support to promote independence and community connection.
- Individual Capacity Building – which will empower 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 and Carers Capacity Building – which will help build the 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 – which will build the capability of community organisations to adapt their services, so they are disability-inclusive and accessible.
- Information, Advice and Referral – which will provide access to high quality, trusted information and advice on disability, rights, evidence-based supports, and available services.
An enabling function will support evaluation activities during a Mid-Point Review after 18 months into the new program, with more detail to be released in the future.
How to apply
An open competitive grant funding opportunity for the new program opened in April 2026 for applications, with applications to close after a 12 week application period.
New activities are expected to commence from July 2027 and will be funded through either 3 or 5 year grants, depending on the stream of support.
Full details, including eligibility and application guidelines, are available on GrantConnect.