Deadline: 16-Jul-2026
The Disability Advocacy Support Program – Service Delivery is an Australian Government funding initiative that supports organisations delivering individual disability advocacy services across Australia. The programme provides AUD 184 million over six years to improve outcomes for people with disability, particularly those experiencing significant exclusion, disadvantage, or increased risk of harm.
Overview of the Program
The Disability Advocacy Support Program – Service Delivery stream is a competitive grant programme designed to strengthen access to disability advocacy services throughout Australia.
The initiative supports organisations that help people with disability, their families, carers, and kin navigate services, protect their rights, improve access to support, and achieve better social and community outcomes.
The programme places particular emphasis on supporting individuals who face complex barriers, social exclusion, discrimination, or heightened vulnerability.
Program Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve outcomes for people with disability
- Strengthen access to disability advocacy services
- Support engagement with disability service systems
- Improve access to community participation opportunities
- Assist individuals facing significant disadvantage or risk
- Increase inclusion and participation in society
- Strengthen local partnerships and outreach services
- Support evidence-based advocacy through data collection and evaluation
Priority Service Areas
The programme supports three equally prioritised advocacy outcomes.
Advocacy Supporting Material Improvements
Services may assist individuals to achieve outcomes aligned with national disability outcome areas, including matters affecting wellbeing, rights, access, and quality of life.
Advocacy Supporting NDIS Engagement
Services may help individuals engage with:
- NDIS service providers
- NDIS-related supports
- Plan implementation processes
- Service access and utilisation
The objective is to improve plan-related outcomes and support effective engagement with disability services.
Advocacy Supporting Broader Supports and Community Participation
Services may assist individuals to:
- Access mainstream services
- Participate in community life
- Connect with support networks
- Improve social inclusion
- Access broader support systems beyond disability-specific services
Additional Supported Activities
Funding may also support:
- Outreach services for isolated individuals
- Community engagement activities
- Partnerships with local organisations
- Data collection and reporting
- Monitoring and evaluation activities
- Limited systemic advocacy activities
- Engagement with local and government stakeholders
Funding Details
The Australian Government has allocated substantial long-term funding to support disability advocacy services.
Total Funding Available
- AUD 184 million over six years
Annual Funding Allocations
- 2026–27: AUD 14.5 million
- 2027–28: AUD 33.9 million
- 2028–29: AUD 33.9 million
- 2029–30: AUD 33.9 million
- 2030–31: AUD 33.9 million
- 2031–32: AUD 33.9 million
Grant Size
- No maximum grant amount per applicant has been specified
Funding Period
Funded activities are expected to operate:
- From November 2026
- Until 30 June 2032
Some funded grants may conclude earlier:
- By 30 June 2029
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to eligible not-for-profit organisations delivering disability advocacy services.
Eligible entities include:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander corporations
- Companies
- Incorporated associations
- Trustees acting on behalf of eligible organisations
Organisational Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a not-for-profit organisation
- Be established for community service purposes
- Be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
- Demonstrate a mission aligned with advancing the rights of people with disability
Compliance Requirements
Applicants must also:
- Hold compliance with the National Standards for Disability Services, or
- Be actively working toward compliance
- Comply with the National Redress Scheme
- Not be subject to a banning order under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013
Consortium Applications
Consortia applications are permitted.
Requirements include:
- A designated lead organisation
- The lead organisation must meet all eligibility requirements
- The lead organisation assumes full accountability for the grant
Service Delivery Expectations
Funded organisations are expected to deliver high-quality advocacy services that respond to the needs of priority and high-need groups.
Services should demonstrate:
- Accessibility
- Responsiveness
- Community reach
- Effective advocacy practices
- Strong stakeholder engagement
- Capacity to support vulnerable individuals
Assessment Criteria
Applications will be assessed against several key criteria.
Evaluation considers:
- Organisational capability and capacity
- Alignment with programme objectives
- Quality of service delivery models
- Feasibility of proposed activities
- Ability to support priority populations
- Reach and accessibility of services
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy delivery
Reporting and Accountability Requirements
Successful organisations will enter into a Commonwealth grant agreement.
Recipients will be required to:
- Deliver approved advocacy services
- Meet reporting requirements
- Participate in performance monitoring
- Provide milestone reporting where applicable
- Demonstrate achievement of funded outcomes
Why This Program Matters
People with disability often face barriers that limit access to services, rights protections, community participation, and support systems.
This programme aims to:
- Strengthen disability rights advocacy
- Improve service accessibility
- Increase community inclusion
- Support vulnerable and high-risk individuals
- Enhance engagement with disability support systems
- Improve long-term outcomes for people with disability and their families
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Disability Advocacy Support Program – Service Delivery?
- It is an Australian Government grant programme supporting organisations that deliver disability advocacy services.
- How much funding is available?
- The programme provides:
- AUD 184 million over six years
- The programme provides:
- Is there a maximum grant amount?
- No.
- The programme does not specify a maximum grant amount per applicant.
- No.
- Who can apply?
- Eligible applicants include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations
- Companies
- Incorporated associations
- Eligible trustees acting on behalf of organisations
- Eligible applicants include:
- Are consortium applications allowed?
- Yes.
- Consortium applications are permitted.
- A lead organisation must meet all eligibility requirements and accept full responsibility.
- Yes.
- What services can be funded?
- Eligible activities include:
- Individual disability advocacy
- Outreach services
- Community partnerships
- Data collection and evaluation
- Limited systemic advocacy
- Eligible activities include:
- How will applications be assessed?
- Evaluation considers:
- Organisational capability
- Service quality
- Alignment with programme objectives
- Ability to serve priority and high-need groups
- Evaluation considers:
Conclusion
The Disability Advocacy Support Program – Service Delivery provides significant long-term funding to strengthen disability advocacy services across Australia. By supporting organisations that deliver individual advocacy, outreach, community engagement, and related services, the programme seeks to improve outcomes, increase inclusion, and protect the rights of people with disability, particularly those facing the greatest barriers and risks.
For more information, visit Avant Group.