Rural and Remote Advisory Group meeting summary June 2026

The Rural and Remote Advisory Group (RRAG) met on Tuesday, 2 June 2026. 

The meeting was held online.

Focus of the meeting

The focus of the June meeting was:

• NDIA update.
• First Nations market and sector development strategy.
• NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for future generations) Bill 2026.

NDIA update

• The Government has announced a plan to Secure the NDIS for future generations.
• The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website has more information on these changes:
  • DHDA website – Securing the NDIS for future generations .
  • Securing the NDIS for future generations factsheet .
• The NDIA has set up a Design Hub for participants, staff and sector representatives to help design, test and improve the new way of planning before it rolls out.
• You can find more information about feedback opportunities by visiting NDIS Engage .
• The NDIA will release the 2026-27 Annual Pricing Review as part of its 3-year Pricing work plan.

First Nations market and sector development strategy

The NDIA shared feedback from recent meetings they had with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). The NDIA wanted to better understand how disability services operate in rural and remote areas.

The NDIA held meetings with ACCHOs, First Nations organisations, and disability services across many locations to hear feedback on the draft strategy.

The NDIA developed 3 main goals for the First Nations market and sector development strategy:

1. Improve how the First Nations market works.

2. Grow First Nations providers and the number of workers.

3. Increase access to culturally safe supports for First Nations participants.

ACCHO feedback during these meetings included:

• ACCHOs provide community-based care across health, housing, justice and family services, not just disability care.
• ACCHOs often do unpaid work when an NDIS participant does not have enough money in their plan for the support they need.
• There are not enough service providers in rural and remote areas. It is very expensive for organisations in these areas to enter and operate in the NDIS market.
• There are not enough workers in rural and remote areas.
• Participants in rural and remote areas need more flexible funding in their plans to cover travel and service delivery.

The NDIA will focus on growing the number of workers and helping community organisations enter the NDIS. They will also focus on improving cultural safety and workforce housing in remote areas.

Member feedback included:

• Build a strong local workforce so communities get trusted and consistent support.
• Fix housing issues so services can bring in and keep workers in remote areas.
• Include Traditional Owners, Elders and community leaders in decisions about which organisations deliver services in their communities.
• Make sure services are culturally safe.

The NDIA has also launched a new hotline for First Nations participants called First Nations Connect. The hotline is a culturally safe service. The NDIA will use feedback from people who use the hotline to keep improving it over time.

First Nations Connect:

Phone 1800 411 640

NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for future generations) Bill 2026

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) gave an update on the new NDIS laws introduced to Parliament in May 2026. The laws aim to make the NDIS more fair, consistent and sustainable.

Key changes in the NDIS Amendment include:

• DHDA will set up an expert group to make sure assessments are fair and consistent.
• Participant plans will have an end date, and unused funds will no longer be rolled over to a new plan.
• Stronger rules to make sure supports are good value and effective.
• Improvements to pricing, plan management, supported independent living, and support coordination.
• Stronger rules to prevent fraud. This includes:
  • Providers must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission if they deliver high risk supports.
    • More information can be found on the NDIS regulatory reform page of the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission website.
  • Improved payment systems and record keeping requirements.
  • Stronger powers to investigate fraud.
  • A focus on protecting participants in rural and remote areas.

Member feedback included:

• Give people more time to share their feedback on the changes.
• Make sure these changes work in real life, especially for people with complex needs.
• Avoid cutting plan funding that reduces the important supports people still need.
• Make sure participants do not lose NDIS support if other services are not available.
• Roll out changes slowly so people do not lose support while the changes are happening.
• Monitor rising costs like fuel prices to make sure participants in rural and remote areas can still access supports.

Next meeting

The next RRAG meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 4 August 2026.