National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP)

About the National Disability Advocacy Program

We fund the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) to provide people with disability access to effective advocacy support. This support works to promote and protect the rights of people with disability by helping to remove barriers to their full and equal participation in the community. 

NDAP is for people with disability who are facing complex challenges. The program provides support in situations where people with disability feel unable to act, speak or write about a difficult situation on their own, or do not have the support required to resolve an issue. 

How a disability advocate can help

Read the disability advocacy for individuals fact sheet to learn more about how an advocate can assist people with disability. 

An advocate can provide information, help an individual explore their options and work through issues, and make informed decisions. Through NDAP, an advocate can assist individuals to: 

• understand and exercise their rights
• self-advocate, wherever possible
• identify and address situations of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation
• make a complaint
• understand and/or access the NDIS, Centrelink and other government services
• find and use community services, including legal services
• request extra support (such as reasonable adjustments) at school or work. 

Services for specific needs or backgrounds

Some NDAP organisations provide support for specific needs and/or backgrounds, including people: 

• with a specific type of disability (for example intellectual disability)
• seeking help for a specific issue (for example housing, education or employment)
• from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

NDIS appeals

We also fund the NDIS Appeals Program to provide advocacy support for individuals affected by reviewable decisions of the National Disability Insurance Agency. Learn more about the NDIS Appeals Program. 

Disability Advocacy Support Helpline

How to find an NDAP advocate

NDAP providers are available in every state and territory. 

Use Ask Izzy's Disability Advocacy Finder to find a Disability Advocate provider in your area.

Find an NDAP provider in your state and territory

For information about the services they provide, their service coverage area and contact details, please go directly to the provider. 

Laws and policies

NDAP is guided by the objectives and principles of key legislation and agreements. Some of these are: 

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability
• Australia's Disability Strategy 2021–2031
• The National Disability Advocacy Framework 2023–2025
• The Disability Services and Inclusion Act 2023 (DSI).

NDAP providers are required to be certified under the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS). More information about the NSDS is also available on the Quality Assurance system for NDAP. 

Learn more about quality assurance certification for NDAP-funded agencies.

Read the Operational Guidelines for information about the activities that contribute to the NDAP. 

To make a complaint

To make a complaint about an NDAP or NDIS Appeals advocacy service, contact the Complaints Resolution and Referral Service.

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can contact the National Relay Service.

If you need to speak to someone in a language other than English, you can use the free Translating and Interpreting Service.

Resources

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